The Thompson group continues its westward expansion with this Beverly Hills outpost, built from the bones of a Sixties-era chain motel on Wilshire Boulevard. Not that you’d notice — if the Thompson is retro, it’s retro of the Seventies chocolate-leather variety, rather than another revival of the mid-century motel.

It’s a sexy, dark-toned and masculine look, one that works well for a hotel like the Thompson, where the emphasis is less on tucking in for a night’s sleep (any old budget chain can manage that) and more on dining, drinking and entertaining, not to mention shopping — you’re just a few blocks from the famed shopping district around Rodeo Drive.

The nightlife begins at Bond Street, which serves an East Coast take on the California institution of sushi. The rooftop is home to an open-air poolside lounge and bar called ABH, for Above Beverly Hills, a nightspot whose guests-only policy means no scene and no velvet rope.

Of course the rooms are no afterthought — they’re swanky and comfortable, if not quite scaling the heights of luxury, and the top-shelf details don’t hurt either, including Bigelow bath products, Sferra linens, and minibar snacks by Dean and DeLuca.

How to get there: Thompson Beverly Hills is approximately a 30 minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport although the trip can take over an hour in traffic. Valet parking is available for $30 USD per night.