The luxurious Hotel Bel Air in Los Angeles is so much a part of the glamor and mystery of Hollywood folklore, probably because of its lush and private grounds. As one of the Glitterati guides, we sometimes are requested as walk on guides for international guests who already have a driver or car. I spent two days with an amazing family visiting from Europe, who had a wish list of places they wanted to see, including the Getty Center, Venice Beach, and El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles, del Rio Porciuncula, which translates to The Town of Our Lady the Queen of Los Angeles, the river Porciuncula. Of course I shared many more amazing destinations, sights and views that are a little off the beaten path but what Glitterati Tours is known for. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
The Luxurious Hotel Bel Air
On my first day, I arrived early at the Hotel Bel Air, because the holiday traffic
was amazingly light. As I waited to greet my family, I spent some time down at
the swan pond. These amazing creatures
glide across the surface, never revealing the effort expended by their powerful
webbed feet underneath the water.
I did a little research when I got home and found out that the two main swans, Hercules and Chloe, like other swans, mate for life. (No conscious uncoupling here Gwyneth Paltrow!) There is another female swan (Athena), who has yet to find her soul mate, and some offspring of Hercules and Chloe that were born a few years ago. Hercules and Chloe have their own personal physician, (vet) as well as the hotels swan handler, who sings to the swans each morning. (What no publicist yet?)
The Exclusive Area of Bel Air
The swans, the beautiful Hotel Bel Air, the Hollywood history, what else could a guest ask for? Oh, yes, a day spent with one of the private guides of Glitterati Tours LA!
By David Bauman
