The Sofitel Los Angeles is back, after the sort of renovation that makes most hotel facelifts look like little more than a good spring cleaning. Gone is the faded South-of-France style that looked almost defiantly out-of-place at the edge of Beverly Hills; this 295-room hotel is now decidedly a city hotel, a bit Parisian even, from the mansard roof to the little French balconies to the crisp, urbane post-minimalist look of the interiors.

Rooms are simple, elegant, in creams and restrained colors, with plenty of space and plenty of comforts, from feather-top, duvet-covered beds to flat-panel HD televisions. Both bed and TV are visible from the bathroom, as is the current style, through a window — finally, though, one that goes from transparent to opaque at the flip of a switch, eliminating in one stroke the Middle American guest’s most common objection to exhibitionistic boutique hotel design.

Frankly, that’s the key, in an American hotel of any size; how to make it palatable to designophiles and designophobes at once, without making compromises that alienate both. The Sofitel Los Angeles is no stranger to cutting-edge urban chic — there’s a Rande Gerber bar and a Kerry Simon restaurant — but it goes easy on the beautiful-people velvet-rope pretentiousness. And certain matters — the spa, the fitness center, the pool — transcend considerations of style entirely.

How to get there: Sofitel Los Angeles is a 25-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport but the trip can take up to 1-hour depending on traffic. Valet parking is available for $32 USD per night.

Style: Modern Design

Atmosphere: Lively

295 Rooms - Rates start at US$ 166

The Spa

With established products such as Carita, this luxury spa targets inner and outer beauty among the 5,000 square foot space, including rainfall showers, an outdoor cabana, VIP suites, a Serenity lounge and much more. LeSpa’s extensive selection of face, body, and bath treatments can easily justify an entire day of rejuvenation. With facials such as ‘Balanced Beauty,’ ‘Progressive Beauty,’ ‘Ageless Beauty,’ and much more, it’s no wonder LeSpa proudly states that ‘if you can dream it, we can do it.'

• Treatment: Luxurious
• Massage Types: Custom, Swedish, Prenatal
• Open to Public: Yes
• Offers in-room services: Yes
• Prices: Moderate
• Products: Declor; Carita Paris
• Hair Services: No
• Other Spa Features: Steam Room, Sauna, Outdoor Heated Pool, Fitness Center
• Tablet Plus Benefit: Spa voucher worth $50 USD