The Beginnings of Beverly Hills

Step back in time by spending an afternoon with glorious roses and sparkling rosé at the first properties of Beverly Hills - the Virginia Robinson Gardens and the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Sometimes you learn something so simple that you can’t believe you haven’t always known it. I’ve driven by The Beverly Hills Hotel countless times without connecting the dots between the hotel and the famed Robinson Gardens — two of the most glamorous structures in Beverly Hills were also the earliest. Harry and Virginia Robinson (of department store fame) built the city’s first estate in 1911 and the hotel followed in 1912. Beverly Hills wasn’t incorporated until 1914, so from these two inspiring properties a world-class destination blossomed. What a difference 100 years (and a lot of water) can make! We spent an afternoon visiting both and I highly recommend taking a fresh look at these historic sites.