Hollywood Hills Hotel

We stayed a couple of months ago, and we won’t be returning. The room was clean, fairly large, and had a beautiful view, but the bed was very soft and the walls were thin enough that we heard the neighbors too clearly. We were on the fifth and top floor, above the pool. It was filled, but didn’t seem usable: there were no chaise chairs and it wasn’t easy to reach. We could hear restaurant customers on the walkway below Yamashiro, but couldn’t find a way to walk from the rooms to the restaurant. You’d have to park on that side or maybe go back to the entrance and through a gate. There’s also a hookah lounge to the left across from the rooms, with loud DJ music on weekends. Getting there on foot wasn’t easy either. There’s no elevator, so carrying bags up from the parking lot was a workout. The lot gets tight when there are more guests, and we worried our car would get sideswiped. The one-way exit onto Fitch felt dangerous because residents drive too fast and there’s no road mirror to see oncoming traffic. Be careful. The Google Maps pin is wrong: it places the motel at the Japanese restaurant Yamashiro, but the motel is below it. As you enter the shared driveway, the restaurant valet is on the right and the motel’s gated self-parking entrance is on the left. I submitted a correction, but Google keeps rejecting it.

The room was spacious, and the views outside were lovely. Despite being close to Hollywood Walk of Fame and other attractions, the property felt fairly quiet and tucked away. Still, several things made the stay less comfortable than I expected. The floor felt wet or musty throughout our stay. When we arrived, rain had left puddles at the entrance, and the area just inside the room was damp too. The sound insulation was poor enough that we could hear neighbors on the phone, including all their swearing. There’s no elevator or escalator, and the stairways and walkways twist around awkwardly, so hauling luggage is a challenge. Parking was very tight and confusing to navigate, and surprisingly expensive on top of the room rate. The location and room size were highlights, but with the dampness, noise, stairs, and parking, the value wasn’t what I’d hoped. Improvements could make it a much better stay.

The views made me cry. I’d never realized California could be so beautiful, with all that greenery visible from my huge patio. I stayed solo for three nights, and it was the peaceful break I needed to rest and get back in balance. The bed felt like it was hugging me, and the room was so calming I ended up spending more time there than exploring. Getting up the secluded, winding hill feels like driving up a mountain, even though the busy city is nearby. I walked to lots of places, usually 15-20 minutes away, and the nearby walks were lovely for sightseeing. Santa Monica Pier was a 45-minute drive. The staff were so nice and quick to respond. I asked for the pool code about 20 minutes before checkout and got it fast, so I could enjoy the gorgeous pool views. The pool was clean and being maintained while I was there. The live plants added to the peaceful feeling. One heads-up: the walls are really thin, lol. The Wi-Fi wasn’t great either. But it was so beautiful and quiet that unplugging and taking in the views worked for me. Ten out of freaking ten. I can’t wait to return.

The views over LA from the big balcony were breathtaking, and the room was spacious with an incredibly comfortable king bed. Getting in was easy once we received the QR code key. The only downside is that you may end up wanting to stay in the room instead of going out to see the city. Loved this place, highly recommend it.