Hotel Review: W Hollywood

I stayed at the W Hollywood back in June. The hotel was undergoing renovations and it has recently been announced that these design changes will serve as the model for the W Hotels brand. I was in town for a meeting and only spent a short time in the hotel. I loved the new design, but the neighborhood is a little sketchy.

Anthony’s Take: I was upgraded to a 1 King, Superior Guest Room and I got to see some of the new designs first hand. The hotel has the familiar W vibe with a great scent and a fun atmosphere. I was booked on a Marriott Luminous rate. It included a $100 food and beverage credit, breakfast, and a welcome amenity. The service, room, and everything about the hotel was pretty top notch. The only drawback is that the area is a little rough with lots of homeless people right outside the door. It worked for me as my meeting was a few blocks from the hotel, but I wouldn’t stay here if I was sightseeing in Los Angeles.

Booking

I booked a 1 King Bed, Standard Room through my company on a Marriott Luminous rate. The room cost $423 per night plus taxes (a $42 Destination Fee was included in the rate). The rate I booked was the same cost as the Member Flexible Rate, but it offered breakfast, a $100 food and beverage credit, a welcome amenity, early check-in and late checkout (subject to availability), and free Wi-Fi. If you’re booking this hotel with Marriott Bonvoy® points, rooms range between 36,000 and 76,000 points.

Transportation to/from the Hotel

I took an Uber Comfort from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). It took a little more than an hour for the 15-mile ride and cost $76. It took around the same time and cost $82 to go back to the airport.

Location

The hotel is on Hollywood Boulevard with the Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of the hotel. Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is also nearby. While this might sound appealing, the area around the hotel does not feel safe.

The Uber pulled into the center courtyard.

From there, I had to walk through a hallway to reach reception.

Check-in

I arrived at the hotel around 11:00 PM. My room was ready and the check-in agent explained that the hotel has a $42 daily amenity fee. I would also be receiving breakfast and a $100 credit for food and beverage. Late checkout was given and I chose points as my welcome amenity since I was getting a lot with the rate I booked. The agent informed me that I was upgraded to a Superior, Guest room, 1 King. Two keys were made and I was on my way to the room a moment later.

The Daily Destination Fee includes a $42 food and beverage credit, two tickets to see a movie at TCL Chinese Theater (also known as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre), Wi-Fi, and something called a “Daily Sound & Scene Reception” (I’m assuming this has to do with the recording studio).

The lobby is gorgeous. I loved the live plants.

There is quite a bit of seating (it doubles as a restaurant during the day). I loved the dark greens.

Fresh flowers were also on display in the lobby.

The lobby had lots of wide open space.

The elevators are near reception.

The elevator lobby and hallway were clean and newly refreshed.

The hallways were dim, which is what I expect at a W.

Superior, Guest Room, 1 King (1118)

I was assigned room 1118. The hotel has 305 rooms and suites.

The room opened with a small hallway. The bathroom was to the left and a wardrobe was on the right.

The bathroom was nicely designed and included a vanity with a single sink, a toilet, and a glassed-in shower.

Skin Regimen brand toiletries were on the counter.

There was also a bar of soap.

The toilet was nicely spaced from the vanity.

The shower was a good size. Water pressure and temperature were both fine.

MOMO brand toiletries were in the shower.

A closet was across from the bathroom. It contained a robe and safe.

The room was open and spacious with a king-sized bed and a wraparound banquette.

I liked the design of the seating flowing into the bed. Both the bed and banquette were comfortable.

The banquette filled the entire space along the window.

A minibar was in the corner of the room with various bottles of alcohol for sale.

A refrigerator was below. It was filled with beverages for sale and some empty space for guest use.

The furnishings throughout the room were modern and elegant.

A welcome amenity was in the room when I arrived. It consisted of some macaron and sparkling fruit water.

Public Areas & Amenities

The W Hollywood has a private recording studio, a fitness center, coffee in the lobby, a rooftop pool (I did not get to check out the pool and the photo is from Marriott), patio seating, and a restaurant in the lobby.

The fitness center is located across from the lobby.

It offered a good amount of equipment and street-level views. I am always happy to see Peloton Bikes.

The Garden Patio is a quite spot to relax outdoors.

I did not have the opportunity to have breakfast, but did have a quick latte.

Aside from the coffee served in the restaurant, there is a self-serve machine in the lobby.

I had the $100 credit, plus the credit that’s part of the Daily Resort Fee. I used these for a nice lunch.

I started with the Smoky Cherry mocktail.

Then I had the Cheese & Charcuterie along with the Beef Tenderloin Tartare.

The design of the bar is beautiful and really makes the room.

Overall Impression:

The W Hollywood’s renovation looks great and is the prototype for the refreshes coming across the chain. The service, room, and stay were just what I needed for my quick meeting in Hollywood.