Tagged : Los Angeles

in Travel

Le Montrose Hotel Review

Overall Impression
Le Montrose was kind of a disappointment. It looked great online, but in actuality it was pretty average. It is located on a residential side street off of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. It is not particularly close to anything and the hotel amenities were not enough for me to stay and enjoy my time at the hotel. There is a small roof top pool, but the seats fill up quickly. The lobby bar and restaurant were quite dismal also.  I would only stay here if I were on a budget and got a fantastic rate. The room was big, but nothing special otherwise.

My Rating: 3 stars

Value Range: $120-$175 USD per night

My recommendation: Stay on good rate only

Location
Not convenient. The hotel is located Toward the end of the West Hollywood Sunset strip and a bit far from amenities. There are some cool shops and eateries down from the hotel on Santa Monica Boulevard, but it is at least a 10 minute walk to anything good.

Amenities
Small rooftop pool and mediocre fitness room.

Service
The front desk staff here was friendly and helpful. Service in the restaurant was terrible.

Elevator Speed
The elevator was fine.

Atmosphere
Wannabe boutique hotel.

Bed Comfort
The bed was comfortable, but could have been better.

Internet
Free internet!

Room Cleanliness
The room was clean, but felt a bit dated.

Toiletries
Average toiletries.

Family Friendly
Yes, but you’ll be driving everywhere which may not be friendly.

Rates
Rates are posted in the $200-$300USD range. Don’t go here for more than $200 per night. Actually make that $175.

Other Notes
Not much to add here.

Number of Stays
1

When
Summer 2009

Frequent Flyer Miles / Hotel Points
No.

in Travel

Viceroy Hotel Santa Monica

Overall Impression
The Viceroy is just plain cool. It’s a bit eclectic, but it is one of the hot places to be in Santa Monica. The hotel has a great poolside scene with cabanas and poolside dining. The lounge is a great place to hide from the heat and catch a drink. Decor is eclectic, and there is often something going on around the hotel. I’ve seen photo shoots in the background while I eat breakfast, the hotel has been featured on Entourage, etc.

My Rating: 5 stars

Value Range: $300-$500 USD per night

Recommended

Location
About one block from the beach. Close to Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade shopping.

Amenities
Great pool. Great bar and restaurant. Fitness facility is great.

Service
Service is great.

Elevator Speed
No issue here.

Atmosphere
Eclectic, cool, and relaxed.

Bed Comfort
Beds are top notch.

Internet
Not free.

Room Cleanliness
Clean and nice but a tad small.

Toiletries
Can’t remember the brand, but they were nice.

Family Friendly
Yes.

Rates
Usually quite pricey. $300USD +

Other Notes
This is a place to see and be seen. It’s a fun place with a good nightlife. I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone, but if you’re into a fun modern hotel stay here.

Number of Stays
1

When
Summer 2009

Frequent Flyer Miles / Hotel Points
Not sure, but possibly points within the Viceroy Hotel Group

in Travel

Sheraton Delfina Santa Monica Hotel Review

Overall Impression
I like this hotel. The lobby feels very California oceanside. Dim lighting, dark wood, shutters, high ceilings. It feels like a Hollister or Abercrombie store. The location is about 5-10 minutes walking from the beach. There is a car rental place nearby and walking to the 3rd Street Promenade is not too much of a chore. If you don’t like walking you may want to stay closer to the shops or the beach, whichever you fancy most. The rooms are nice. If you’re looking for ocean view stay elsewhere, but this hotel is good value for the money.

My Rating: 4 stars

Value Range: $175-$250 USD per night

Recommended


Location
The hotel feels like it is on an urban island, but it is not far from most things you want to do in Santa Monica. They also offer a shuttle service to destinations close to the hotel. The beach is a short walk. I recommend renting a bike by the Santa Monica Pier and riding the walkway out to Venice Beach.

Amenities
Pool and fitness center are both decent, but not super luxury.

Service
I have always had good service here.

Elevator Speed
The elevators here are a bit slow and usually busy. Expect to wait around for them to show up.

Atmosphere
Relaxed Old school California chic. Walking into the lobby is like walking onto a different planet compare to the exterior.

Bed Comfort
Beds are nice.

Internet
This is a Starwood Hotel so they pillage you at about $15 per day.

Room Cleanliness
Clean and nice.

Toiletries
The usual boring Sheraton fare.

Family Friendly
Yes.

Rates
Rates here seem consistently around $200 per night.

Other Notes
The Viceroy hotel down the street is quite cool too, but this one is more affordable. Sometimes I’ll stay here and just go for drinks at The Viceroy.

Number of Stays
4

When
Winter 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009

Frequent Flyer Miles / Hotel Points
Starwood points which convert to many different airlines.

in Travel

Standard Hotel Hollywood Review

Overall Impression
The Standard Hotel Hollywood is part kitsch, part boutique. The lobby has a glass fish tank behind the front desk where a model lives for most of the day reading, checking her email, etc., and the patio ground is adorned with blue astro turf. The rooms are modern, but also a bit tacky. Think Ikea meets bright blue and orange color scheme. The building itself is a 60′s apartment building renovated into a boutique hotel. It is certainly a fun place to stay, and the beds are comfortable, but don’t think high-end. The crowd is a mix of the younger L.A. set — wannabe hipsters, and the usual plastics.

My Rating: 3 stars

Value Range: $150-$225 USD per night

Recommended, but only if you enjoy a hotel with a party vibe


Location
The location on Sunset Boulevard is close to West Hollywood bars and clubs and a short 10-15 minute drive to Hollywood tourist attractions. The beach is nowhere to be seen, so if you’re into that it would be better to stay somewhere close to the ocean. Beverly Hills shopping is also a reasonably short drive.

Amenities
The outdoor pool is fun to lounge by, but it’s pretty small. There is an upscale-ish 24hr diner on site and also a hair salon.

Service
The service here has always been good.

Elevator Speed
I have always stayed on the first floor, so I don’t know.

Atmosphere
Tacky meets Ikea.

Bed Comfort
The bed and bedding were decent.

Internet
Free internet. Always a plus.

Room Cleanliness
Clean, but starting to get a little bit dingy around the edges.

Toiletries
“Standard” branded toiletries which I actually liked.

Family Friendly
Hmmm. That would depend on what you’re family is like.

Rates
I paid just under $200USD per night. For LA that is not too bad. I don’t think I would pay too much more than that for this hotel.

Other Notes
Stay here if you want to party and hit up the West Hollywood clubs like Whisky A-Go-Go or the Viper Room.

Number of Stays
2

When
Spring 2009, Summer 2009

Frequent Flyer Miles / Hotel Points
Not to my knowledge.