A unique SPG property. This was my 2nd stay. The differences and outlandish touches are what makes this place fun. Great people watching. Not a place for families or business travel. A great hotel for a weekend getaway. I love the room decor (not my personal style but that's part of the appeal) and especially the well-appointed bath. The mirrors everywhere are what make the place. If this is not your thing, go to a Westin. Really good valet service; certainly helps justify the price. I have to give hotel "average" for service overall due to poor staffing and lack of attentiveness at pool deck on weekend as well as lobby.

Stayed at the SLS Beverly Hills and find it to be like staying in a dark hall of mirrors, similar to a horror ride at an amusement park. It is definitely trying to be more of a "hip" hotel geared towards a more a Hollywood crowd, but comes across cheesy, worn, and dated and not luxury at all. It's California - let some natural light in thru the windows and feel the California vibe! (Mondrian is hip and still has natural light!) I have turned every possible light on in my room, in addition to opening the curtain, and it is still dark in here. When a light was out in my bathroom yesterday, I didn't even notice because it is that dark in here.

Not helping was the family in the room next door that was up at 6am every day playing loudly with their children. Which is actually quite contrary, since this place is the opposite of family friendly. It's a little bit tricky to complain about family noise at 6am (as opposed to music at 3am), but it was disturbing nonetheless and should at least underscore how thin the walls are here.

Coming off 3 nights at Terranea, this hotel is quite a letdown. But I had to stay Starwood and use points, so I figured this would be the best option.

I really wanted to find things to make fun of...over the top, over priced silly things, etc but it was a great experience at the SLS. Completely friendly staff without attitude. The "app" didn't seem to want to take my room number so could not "check into The Abbey" as a guest at the hotel but the rooms were large, the pool lovely, the outdoor waiting lobby was great in the rain. Coffee in lobby and newspaper on your door was nice. No problem at all with the lighting...maybe it's all been fixed or maybe it's not as bad as some people suggested. I know I'll be back.

I am sticking to the gym, the room amenities and staff training for my review, to not repeat others' raves. Overall a very good hotel, loved the location in particular.

The gym: is fairly large and has some unusual features such as leather sofas and some equipment that no one seems to use - several of the cross-trainers and treadmills were out of order when I was there so there was a line of people waiting to do their morning cardio each day - this is one aspect they should improve. It is LA and we had a lot of tacos to burn off.

The room amenities: as others have mentioned, the full sized bath gels etc. are cool and then there are all these small items that appear to be offered for your use but they are not. There was definitely no indication that they were for sale until our last day when a price list appeared. I cringed! Oops, too late. I had used the $46 moisturizer and did wonder why it had not been replenished. I think it happens a lot that the price list is not evident, so beware.

My best impression, really, was not the dazzle of the Philippe Starckness of the rooms or the molecularness of the gastronomy but how well run the hotel is and how polished and well trained the staff is. This is a rare thing to be impressed by: the staff was in every respect incredibly well-spoken, courteous and warm (and not phony), every request was handled promptly (they do not provide robes and slippers in the rooms but you get them in about 60 seconds when you ask), and they were very well aware of who was in the hotel and where they were at all times, which means you can expect discretion and security and we like that.