Situated at the Bristol exit off I-405, this property is within strolling distance of the South Coast Repertory Theater. It is the hotel pioneer in this part of town and remains the top player here, easily besting the nearby Wyndham with its superlative dining, spa and superior accommodations and service.
The elongated 16-story high-rise is an imposing feature on the skyline. A bridge links it to Southern California's largest shopping mall. The landscaped entrance gives way to an impressive tiered waterfall and a garden facing the single dining room. The sunken lobby lounge is a personable gathering of roll-arm sofas, inlaid marble floors, tan and sage-green colors and torchere lighting. Wireless Internet is now
available here, and it will soon be available in the guest rooms. The tiered outdoor fountain fills the courtyard and provides a visual centerpiece that is spectacularly lit at night.
Chef Joachim Splichal of L.A.'s Patina continues to oversee the Pinot Provence restaurant, a smart yet casual space of limestone floors, antique furniture and carved-wood accents. The menu conjures up the south of France, both in flavor and presentation, and reservations are recommended most nights. A seafood bar and grill offers more dining options.
The independently operated spa elevates the hotel's standings, 
drawing romantics with discounted, pampering packages. The gym was being upgraded in early 2008. It is the kick-off to an upcoming renovation project that will touch on all areas of the hotel. The hotel maintains a two lighted tennis courts atop the garage and a large pool. The largest of the 22 meeting rooms can handle groups of up to 800. Parking is expensive.
Guest rooms are chic and understated, full of sandy hues with deeper accent colors, dark furniture, blackout drapes, desks or tables, TVs, minibars, bottled water, coffeemakers, hair dryers, and irons and ironing boards. Showing well, all units have Heavenly Beds with duvets and pillowtop mattresses, and the Heavenly Baths support dual showerheads, hair dryers and magnifying mirrors. Guest-room views are of the airport or the freeway, but rooms above the 10th floor glimpse the ocean on clear days. The top three floors host Starwood's most loyal visitors.
Smoking at all Westin hotels is now forbidden. Room service runs nonstop. Pets (dogs only) are permitted for a fee.
The veteran staff is stylish, with a knack for remembering names. Among classic commercial hotels, Costa Mesa's Westin shines.
