I’m always looking for somewhere new and interesting to spend a long weekend. When a friend told me that The Peninsula Beverly Hills just launched the Peninsula Academy and that the program would knock my socks off I had to sign up and check it out. After all, if nothing else, I’d get a chance to exercise the old credit card on Rodeo Drive!
The Peninsula Academy was created in Hong Kong in 1997 to give hotel guests a personalized introduction to key aspects of the city’s culture, history, lifestyle, cuisine, arts and more. Guests could opt to sign up for individualized classes and activities presented from a local perspective. It was so successful, that all Peninsula Hotels now offer the Peninsula Academy – focused on the unique aspects of their locale.
I’d never thought about Beverly Hills from a cultural or historical point of view. I can understand establishing the Peninsula Academy in Hong Kong. After all Tai Chi, Calligraphy and Chinese Dumpling Making are things of interest to almost every visitor. However, after arriving in Beverly Hills, I quickly realized that the classes and activities offered through the Peninsula Academy focus on experiences that reflect the Beverly Hills lifestyle – everything from surfing to playing movie star - activities rarely accessible to the casual visitor.
Peninsula Academy has a great menu of choices that immerse one in the Tinsel Town. Would you like to star in a movie? That can be arranged! An Emmy-nominated producer and crew will film you and your companions sightseeing, shopping, surfing, relaxing by the pool – or whatever suits your fancy. The footage is edited into a professional-quality movie on DVD for you to take home and share with friends.
Surfing has always been a trade mark of the Southern California lifestyle, however, many of us non-Californians have never had the opportunity to try it out. Well, this was our chance. While I’m not a water-sports person, one of my traveling companions was. Through the Peninsula Academy, we were able to set up a lesson with Rod Samper, the surfer dude who taught Tom Cruise, Cindy Crawford and Harrison Ford and their families to surf. The hotel took us to Malibu for her private lesson with Rod, followed by a picnic on the oceanfront deck of Rob Reiner’s beach house! The amazing thing about the lesson was that she was able to successfully surf the first time out. 
I am into a regular fitness routine, so I was delighted to have the opportunity for a beach warm-up and exercise with Alonzo Cannon, SHAPE magazine’s “Best New Trainer of 2008.” Alonzo has shaped up celebs including the Dixie Chicks, actor Colin Farrell and Screenwriter James Vanderbilt. Of course I was more interested in hearing about his experiences with the stars than I was in exercising.
I spent an extremely enjoyable hour and a half with Bob Corff, a Hollywood voice coach. He not only teaches various accents and speech patterns to film stars, but coaches top executives for “Oscar-winning performances” in the boardroom. I found it fascinating to learn how people with various accents generate the sounds from different parts of the throat, and how people from different countries and regions within countries have a different “melody” in their speech. Bob offers private voice instructions through the Peninsula Academy.
Of course, staying at The Peninsula Beverly Hills is really over-the-top. From the meet-and-greet at the airport and chauffeured limo to the hotel – to pillow cases with my initials monogrammed on them, it was easy to see why the hotel was awarded the 2008 Five Diamond Award for the 15th consecutive year.
In addition to 196 fabulous accommodations, including 36 suites and 16 private villas, the hotel offers excellent dining venues. In fact, the Belvedere restaurant, under the direction of Executive Chef James Overbaugh is the only Five Diamond restaurant in California. The 2008 rating was the Belvedere’s 13th consecutive award.
Dining under the stars in the Roof Garden at The Peninsula Beverly Hills is a joy in itself – but dining with award winning designer Cheryl Rawlings, the lady responsible designing and overseeing the construction of this elegant outdoor retreat topped off the experience. Palm trees and sweet-scented jasmine plants framed the spectacular view of the skyline and the blazing sunset. The 6,270 square-feet outdoor space encompasses the al fresco restaurant, outdoor bar and fire-pit lounge, swimming pool, and Jacuzzi. According to spa director Bonnie Kyle, with the Spa’s location adjacent to the Roof Garden, the poolside cabanas are very popular with “guests who crave a relaxing ‘time out’ during the day – or a romantic before-bed indulgence.” I must concur with the readers of Conde Nast Travel, who voted the Peninsula Spa as one of the top Urban Hotel Spas in North America. In this peaceful oasis, in the hands of a highly skilled technician, I experienced one of the best massages I have ever had.
For those of you who just can’t bear to leave Fido at home – do not despair. The Peninsula Beverly Hills is very pet friendly. In fact, Fido will live in the lap of luxury with paw-printed monogrammed towels, scented poop bags, and a dog bed with a Simmons Beauty Rest mattress and 300 thread-count sheets. And if you are out and about making your Hollywood movie, or taking surfing lessons, fear not. Fido will be walked by one of the Bellmen.
When you are ready for your next fun getaway, don’t forget to check out The Peninsula Beverly Hills. This was truly one of most interesting and fun weekends I’ve ever had.
