LOS ANGELES—The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills aims to make the entire guest journey seamless and luxurious with the addition of a direct-to-aircraft service through The Private Suite at LAX.
For Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills Managing Director Peter Bowling, it was a no-brainer as the hotel’s affluent clients were already using The Private Suite at LAX. “When we toured the private terminal, we knew it would be the perfect added amenity for our guests,” he said. “Our main goals are to always make things as easy as possible for our guests, and to offer the latest and greatest when it comes to our partners and available experiences.”
Travel often comes with bumps along the way; this particular partnership is about ironing out any potential wrinkles for guests. The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills facilitates a guest’s exit from the aircraft door to the concierge to the hotel’s house car within minutes of landing.
“We wanted to make it a smooth transition for our guests from the time they step off the plane until they arrive at their hotel room and save as much time as possible getting through security, customs and collecting luggage,” said Bowling. “The Private Suite at LAX revolutionizes the way one travels in that you no longer have to deal with long lines and can really utilize the suites to relax in or as an extension of your office until right up to the time of boarding. For our guests in Beverly Hills, it is yet another high-end offering to make the experience as seamless as possible.”
How did this novel idea come about? The Private Suite was created by 40-year-old security consulting and service firm, Gavin de Becker & Associates (GDBA), which protects many of the world’s most prominent figures and is based in Los Angeles.
Co-founder Joshua Gausman shared The Private Suite’s origin story: “We saw remote terminals at major international airports around the world, and wondered why nothing like it yet existed in the United States. Our clients were regularly bombarded at the curbside by paparazzi, often resulting in car accidents, scared children or distracted security officials. We knew we could fix that problem and make the main terminal areas safer for everyone,” he said.
He added, “Our members pay for additional privacy, logistical ease and security. The ability to avoid long walks down the concourse, jam-packed airline lounges, busy vehicle drop-off areas, long and challenging TSA lines, and hours in the customs and immigration hall makes for a game-changing airport experience. We are proud to be the only VIP facility in the United States, and we’re proud to be working with every commercial airline at Los Angeles International Airport.
There are benefits for locals, too. For L.A. residents, driving and valeting your car at the airport is a great luxury, Gausman noted. Hosting non-traveling guests at The Private Suite for a business meeting or family send-off is a nice option, too.
“We have a shower suite for freshening up before an event; video conference and meeting rooms; options for manicures, massages, haircuts and in-suite doctors; a custom food menu; a toy menu for kids; and the most customized and attentive level of service you can imagine,” he said. “The luxury starts immediately.”