The Beverly Slopes Lodging Channels Elizabeth Taylor And Forthcoming Sinatra With Their Updated Homes

When you think of old school Hollywood it’s hard not to picture the days of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, Howard Hughes, Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin and Elizabeth Taylor. Ah, the golden days of Hollywood glamour. And also, now, the inspiration for the newly redesigned bungalows at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

 While these larger than life legends and the tales that these greats left behind still live on, especially in places like the hotel itself, their spirits are being channeled (not in an eerie sort of way) in the redesign of the hotel’s famous bungalows. Which makes complete sense when you start to learn how much time some of these stars actually spent living in these bungalows, and the situations they got into. Speaking of, have you ever heard the one about Bungalow 7 being the one where Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio used to stay? Or that Bungalow 4 was Howard Hughes’ bungalow of choice and that he’d request roast-beef sandwiches be left at night in the crook of a nearby tree? Or the one about Bungalow 3 being the place where in 1968 Robert Kennedy’s children learned of his assassination? And I can’t forget the one about Bungalow 1 being the place where Gore Vidal’s mother had an affair with Clark Gable.

And those tales are just the beginning. When a larger than life star spends six of her eight honeymoons occupying one of the bungalows, and another lives on-and-off in one of the other bungalows for almost 30 years (while renting several others so that people didn’t know which one he was actually staying in – oh the eccentricities of Howard Hughes!), it only makes sense to honor these extraordinary personalities in an even more extraordinary way. And that is certainly coming through in these bungalow redesigns.

In fact, you might even say that the hotel is taking a cue from its favorite guests and is getting a little work done.

But not too much, and not too fast. With 23 bungalows on site, only three of the redesigns have rolled out so far. And with Elizabeth Taylor and Frank Sinatra being the inspiration for these first redesigns, just wait until you hear which iconic movie stars are being channeled next…




Bungalow 5

A favorite of Elizabeth Taylor herself, Bungalow 5 is where the unforgettable legend spent six out of eight of her honeymoons. It’s also the largest bungalow on the property and the only to feature its own private pool, a touch to credit to the Annenbergs. The redesign of the bungalow is inspired by Taylor, of course, playing with elements of her famous films and incorporating whimsical elements inspired by her English roots. The bungalow has a full kitchen, a living room and dining area, a powder room and also features a large patio complete with a seating area, private outdoor pool and Jacuzzi. Taylor practically called this bungalow home and to top things off, you may actually feel her presence while you’re there, her family held a private memorial service for her here following her death.

Bungalow 8

For Bungalow 8, think 1940s France meets old school Hollywood elegance. Subdued, classic and chic, the clean lines and sleek design of this redesigned bungalow is the prototype for 18 of the other redesigns (only five of the bungalows are inspired by their famous guests). The bungalow features a spacious living room, fireplace, a full kitchen with dining for six or eight available, a marble bathroom with a separate shower and soaking tub and a private patio overlooking the gardens.

Bungalow 22

While Frank (yes, that Frank) preferred the Paul Williams Suite in the hotel’s main house, the inspiration behind this bungalow was the man, the myth the legend, the one and only Mr. Sinatra. Having spent plenty of days enjoying the hotel’s Polo Lounge with the other notorious members of his pack, Sinatra left quite the impression on the hotel (and it’s probably safe to say that the hotel left an equally as immense impression on him, which I think is safe to say is the case with all of the legends who stayed there – why else would they keep returning?). The design of this particular bungalow was inspired by Sinatra’s home in Palm Springs, utilizing a classic California style that fits so well with the overall look and feel of the rest of the hotel. The interior features tasteful leather wrapped columns, a stone and leather fireplace, desert colors and wood accenting throughout the bungalow, all in harmonious Ol' Blue Eyes style. The bungalow includes two private terraces, a fireplace and half bath, a master suite with a fireplace and marble bathroom along with a dressing 


room so that you know, you can look Sinatra sharp.

Phillips in Association with Bacs and Russo Geneva Watch Auction Four deal in Geneva set another record throughout the end of the week for a wristwatch at closeout. Offering begun at 3-million Swiss francs (simply over US$3-million) for the Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 in stainless steel, an uncommon interminable logbook chronograph with moon stages. Barely 10 minutes after the fact, offering finished at 9.6-million Swiss francs, roughly $9.7-million. With the purchasers' premium incorporated, the last cost was 11,002,000 Swiss francs, or $11,136,642. This beats the past record of 7.3-million Swiss francs (about $7.38-million) paid for a wristwatch sold at closeout a year ago – a Patek Philippe Ref. 5016, at the Only Watch philanthropy closeout in 2015. The Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 was the top parcel in the present deal and, as indicated by Paul Boutros, head of looks for the Americas for Phillips Bacs and Russo, "a rare occasion" for authorities. "I have held up a lifetime to see a 1518 in stainless steel," he says. "It is number one of just four known to exist." Made start in 1941, the 1518 was the world's first never-ending logbook chronograph wristwatch ever to be created in an arrangement by any maker. It is number one in a progression of just four that are known to exist. Seven bidders were battling for the watch. It was sold to a private gatherer.

Two other Patek Philippe Ref. 1518s, one in yellow gold and the other in rose gold, were likewise in the Phillips Bacs and Russo deal, denoting the first run through every one of the three case metals of the model have been offered at closeout. The yellow gold adaptation sold today for 598,000 Swiss francs or simply over $600,000, marginally over the high gauge of $515,000. The rose gold Ref. 1518 sold for 1,474,000 Swiss francs (about US$1,478,000, or $1,848,729.77 including the purchasers' premium). Another imperative watch, a rose gold Rolex Ref. 3330 "pre-Oyster" chronograph made in 1941 that had never been worn - nicknamed the "Ideal Rose" - sold for 598,000 Swiss francs, or $599,712 - $749,640 including the purchasers' premium.
Song Besler covers looks for Watch Journal, Watch Time, Robb Report, Nuvo, Revolution and International Watch. For a greater amount of her stories see watchdetail.com