The lighting in all spaces of this hotel is low and when you arrive in your room and are able to turn on some additional light you see why. The hotel was indeed renovated, judging by all the dings and nicks on the furniture, maybe 15 years ago. My room looked like it was done on a Trading Spaces episode and unfortunately I had the neighbors who couldn't paint very well---There were also stains on the carpeting and drapes.
This hotel is slickly marketed to the trendy 20 and 30 somethings that want to "see and be seen" At about 1 in the morning mini dresses and painted on shirts abound when the historic lobby is transformed into a quite current major bar scene. This is a very young Hollywood scene and entertaining to see, however, during the "renovation" apparently they did not have the budget to soundproof the rooms. We could hear every detail of our neighbor's various daytrips being described to the friends back home. There was also no air circulation in our bathroom other than opening the door. I enjoy a classic old school hotel that has been beautifully renovated, but this is not one of them.
On the up side, the staff was all very friendly and helpful, but the quality of the surroundings is definitely not 4 star. One thing this hotel does indeed have is location, location, location. Park your car and see all the Hollywood sites on foot--keep in mind you will pay $30 a day for the privilege of that parking.
If you enjoy your cocktails and are here for the nightlife and don't really need a quiet room to sleep, this is the place for you. You can fantasize about how grand this hotel was at one time but your fantasy will be about it. Very Hollywood.
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