The Orlando

The room felt like a big warm hug, and I loved how its interior fit the hotel's decor. On arrival, the doorman greeted us with smiles and quickly took our luggage without us having to ask. Then we met Phrancisco Gonzalez, the front desk manager. His customer service went above and beyond, and every interaction with him made us feel welcome. One of my best Palihouse experiences.

A Target bag holding a gift worth about $50 was left beside my suitcase, not in a trash can and not trash. Housekeeping either threw it out or took it. When I reported it, the front desk seemed dismissive and showed little concern. They haven't taken any real action, and their calm response made it seem as if they simply didn't care. For a hotel calling itself a boutique property, that service fell short. Staff should only discard things clearly placed in a trash can, and check first whenever it's uncertain.

Five nights at Palihouse left us paying around $450 a day, and the “premium” Dyptique products seemed like ordinary shampoo poured into fancy bottles. It felt like a vibe tax, and there are plenty of better hotels in LA. There is no self-parking, only valet at $50 a day. Sometimes they brought the wrong car or couldn't find the keys, and I spent more time waiting on valet than at Century city's shopping mall. Then there's a $35 daily “resort” fee, which seems ridiculous for a regular hotel with a tiny pool. I didn't sign up for surprise charges and slow valet roulette. Bring your wallet and patience, or go elsewhere.

The location is the one clear strength. Right in West Hollywood, near restaurants, shops, and plenty to do. The rest of our stay didn't match the charming French-inspired look online, and the price wasn't justified. Our room was damp and musty, with an odor like an old basement. The bed was too soft to support us, and we both woke with sore backs. Loud rattling from the A/C vents kept us from sleeping. We thought it was the fridge and unplugged it, but the noise continued. Wooden shutters let in bright sunrise light through wide gaps, and with no curtains or blackout shades, we woke early. The bathroom was inconvenient too: almost no counter space beyond the sink, and such low shower pressure that rinsing shampoo took forever. The whole place felt tired and overdue for an update. Service was uneven. No one told us valet wasn't available after midnight. The in-room safe didn't work, and when we called in the late afternoon, they said the engineer had already gone home. When we asked for extra pillows because the flat polyester ones were uncomfortable, we were told it would take a while because only one staff member was on duty handling everything. The staff were polite, but clearly stretched thin. Comfort, quiet, and basic amenities were lacking, so I wouldn't stay again.