Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, CA

Room was nice and clean. Comfy bed. The location is safe to walk around and lots of food in walking distance. Staff are very friendly and helpful. The pool wasn't heated but the pool area is a very nice spot to chill, eat, read, etc. I was here for a class and I would definitely stay here again if I came back for more classes.

The problem with a hotel like this is - how can it be rated 5 and also 1 like this review? Well I suppose some reviews are subjective, for example if you like a pool then this hotel has one which gets good reviews but many travellers are tourists and want to see LA, using a hotel as a place to sleep. So, from our perspective the things that are important to us are - location and bedroom - and this is were the hotel fails somewhat. It can't do anything about where it is but by choice this is not a place to be if the neighbourhood is important to you. It claims to have city view rooms, that is stretching the imagination. There are many homeless people congregating nearby which sometimes feels threatening, particularly when they approach you; there is nothing nearby (walkable) worth visiting; the buildings opposite are derelict. This is an hispanic area and the shops and food outlets largely reflect the population - this in itself is only a problem if you are 'self catering'. A nearby supermarket sells Nescafe at just short of $20! The one upside is it is a short walking distance from the metro station. So in conlusion regarding location - it is in a 'seedy' area so go there with your eyes open and expectations low. The bedroom was in very poor condition - drab is a good description. Wallpaper pealing off the wall, bathdroom door chipped and shabby, over bath shower with curtain is grim by today's standards and there was hair on the bathroom floor. We did not feel safe at all, in fact my wife didn't sleep all night. We stayed 1 night, not 3 as booked. We were so disappointed we found another hotel (see my review for Nites Inn) and it speaks volumes that we were so unhappy we paid $300 to stay somewhere else! Take your pick - go to this hotel and beware or, as we did, find somewhere else.

The lush courtyard gives a traditional feel to this lovely hotel. I personally enjoyed the dry sauna as well as the friendly staff, notably Michael at the front desk who gave me tips on local cuisine and site-seeing. I look forward to staying here on my next visit!

We were given early check in day of and graciously helped by Yajaira at the front. The check in process was seamless/quick and our room is more than we could have imagined! So excited for our stay.