Hotel Normandie

The early evening wine reception was a nice extra, and having a restaurant, bar, and donut shop attached was convenient. Our room was clean and the A/C worked well. We didn't notice the noise some other reviews mention. The lobby is beautiful, and the staff were accommodating. It's old-fashioned rather than luxurious, which suits us fine. Parking nearby was $35 a day. We came partly curious about the haunted rumors, but sadly I didn't meet any ghosts. My daughters were relieved.

Room 238 had a great view of the alley, and it was loud until midnight. There's an entertainment venue called Normandy Club with access to that alley, and the old windows don't block the sound. The hotel is historic and the lobby has a nice atmosphere, but there isn't really a restaurant or bar on the premises. Other rooms might be a better experience, but I'd steer clear of the fancy alley-view rooms.

Parking was the one drawback. It cost around 50 dollars for an open-air lot across the corner from the hotel. There was an attendant, but that still didn't feel worth the price. Otherwise, the service was impeccable and better than you'd expect, and the location is central. The lobby has beautiful old-world charm, a real standout in a pretty average part of Los Angeles.

The towels were so soft I almost wanted to book another night just to use them, lol. The place was neat and clean, and the staff were friendly and ready to help. The A/C worked fine. I also forgot toothpaste, which can really throw you off, but the front desk had some ready. The lotion, shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner were actually really good too. I had a good stay.