Hollywood Inn Express South

My bags had been stored, and some things were stolen from them. The first room was full of mosquitoes, though they did offer an upgrade, which was fine. The rooms smell and aren’t exactly clean, and I wouldn’t trust this place or recommend it when there are much better options. They returned my deposit as a $10 bill ripped in half and taped back together. I didn’t notice until I’d left. The staff seemed shady.

The parking was a mess. They only let one car use the lot, so the rest of our group had to leave their vehicles on LA streets, and one was towed. Inside, the carpet was filthy and covered with burn marks, the bathroom was disgusting and moldy, and the blankets were so thin we had to get our own. The walls barely block sound, so we could hear everything next door and outside. Staff were hard to find and rude. It’s an older property, but it’s clearly poorly maintained and the service is lacking. Despite being a non-smoking place, every room and the lobby smelled of old smoke covered up with cheap floral spray. This place was absolutely disgusting. If you can afford anywhere else, I’d highly recommend staying there instead.

The carpet looked old and dirty, so I kept my shoes or slippers on in the room. Still, we slept well because it was quiet at night. The room had a mini fridge, and the pool always looked clean, though I didn’t go in. Front desk staff were consistently kind and attentive. There was free coffee and hot water for tea or instant soup, plus vending machines with snacks and drinks. It’s easy to get around from here since the hotel is close to the freeway. There are also several shops and restaurants within walking distance, including McDonalds, Starbucks, 7Eleven, and Ross. Parking is free. Housekeeping had to be requested a day ahead, and they always did a good job, changing the towels and leaving body lotion, soap, and shampoo. Great value for the price.

The parking spaces are tiny, so good luck if you have a big vehicle. There aren’t microwaves in the rooms either. There’s a shared “microwave room” near the front office, but it’s outside, so you have to stand in the cold while your food heats up. The showerheads seem made for children. If you’re over five feet tall, you have to bend down to get under the water, and the pressure is really weak. The towels looked stained, and whatever they were washed in seemed to trigger allergies. I woke up the first morning with a big eczema patch on my neck and arms, and I got itchy every time I slept in the bed. On the plus side, housekeeping came every day with what we needed, and the vending machines had a range of drinks. The area seemed quiet, which was nice for sleeping.