The Beverly Wilshire undergoes a transformation

The Beverly Wilshire, the landmark Beverly Hills hotel located at one of the most famous intersections in the world, the corner of Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard, has undergone a name change and renovated its guest rooms and public areas. Formerly known as the Regent Beverly Hills, the hotel dropped Regent from its name and joined sister brand Four Seasons, becoming known as the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel.

The property also went through a $35 million renovation that included a room renovation and the addition of a Wolfgang Puck restaurant, Cut, that has since become a top celebrity dining spot in Los Angeles.

The sleek, all-white restaurant is distinguished by a skylight that lets in moonlight after dark. The 104-seat eatery is described as a putting "contemporary twist on the classic steakhouse." The menu focuses on an array of steak and seafood entrees.

Puck's restaurant and the adjoining lounge, conceived by Richard Meier, the designer of L.A.'s Getty Center museum, has become one of the most chic spots in town, almost overnight.

The work at the 395-room hotel actually started in 2005 with dining improvements. That year, management unveiled The Blvd, a restaurant, bar and outdoor patio overlooking Rodeo Drive.

It was a bold move on the Los Angeles dining scene, as sidewalk seating is rare in Beverly Hills, particularly at posh hotels. But the establishment has been a smashing success, according to Katherine Petty, a hotel spokeswoman. "The response from our guests has been tremendous," she said. "The hotel is filled with a new energy that is unparalleled."

Seating 140, The Blvd includes a restaurant and lounge area centered around an 18-foot, illuminated, onyx bar and backlit wine display with more than 1,000 bottles. Live jazz is performed on Friday and Saturday nights from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

The renovation of hotel rooms included the addition of 42-inch plasma-screen TVs and wireless Internet access. New decor in the original, 147-room Wilshire Wing was described as classic contemporary with blues, greens and ambers.

The hotel has partnered with ForbesLife, a bimonthly magazine, to decorate a 4,000-square-foot penthouse that is now available as event space. In January, artworks from the collection of financier Malcolm Forbes and his sons were installed while Diva, a furniture retailer with showrooms in Los Angeles, provided new, stylish furnishings.

A hallmark of the hotel's renovation was the addition last June of an 8,000-square-foot spa, simply called The Spa. It has nine treatment rooms, a "tranquility lounge," aromatherapy steam rooms and a pool area with a bar and cafe. There are six private cabanas that can be booked for daily use at $250 a day.

The hotel completed most of the renovation last autumn but a few finishing touches are scheduled for 2007.

Starting in July, the meetings space will undergo a similar renovation as the rest of the property. It will be mostly a soft-goods renovation with new lighting, wall treatments and the addition of wireless technology and built-in screens. The Beverly Wilshire's lobby also will be updated to make it more comfortable as a gathering place. More seating will be added and new artwork will adorn the walls.

The hotel, which was built in 1928 and has been the scene of sophisticated glamorous gatherings ever since, was in private hands until it was purchased by Regent International in 1985.

In 1987, Regent spent $100 million on a renovation of the original Wilshire Wing. The hotel became the Regent Beverly Wilshire that year. The hotel's Beverly Wing, which opened in 1971 and has 248 rooms, was last renovated in 1998 before this latest renovation.

In August 1992, Four Seasons bought Regent International, creating Four Seasons-Regent Hotel and Resorts. Since 1996, the property has been owned by B.W. Hotel, a Hong-Kong-based investment group, with Four Seasons continuing as the management company.

The name change to Four Seasons reflects the transition of the hotel from the Regent brand to the Four Seasons portfolio, the company said.

Rates at the hotel range from $435 to $7,500 for the Beverly Wing's penthouse suite. Information on the hotel is now available at www.fourseasons.com.

To contact reporter Laura Del Rosso, send e-mail to [email protected].