Arrival/Check-In: Pulling up to The Orlando in West Los Angeles was pleasantly understated. The pedestrian-style portico where we parked didn’t scream “hotel,” but it felt intimate and welcoming. A valet attendant greeted me immediately. With a single roll-aboard bag I walked to the check-in desk just inside the entrance, where staff offered warm smiles. My reserved patio room was being prepared since I arrived a few hours early; they asked for about 30 minutes. I passed the time at The Churchill, the attached gastropub, which has an impressive craft beer selection and a relaxed atmosphere.
Guest Quarters: My second-floor room felt calm and inviting. The king bed had a comfortably firm mattress and plush pillows. The room was a touch larger than many boutique hotel rooms, with a useful sitting area and a generous workspace. A soothing California Zen design carried through the décor, and sliding doors opened onto a semi-private patio that overlooks the adjacent pool. The bathroom was notably spacious and modern, with new fixtures, a large tub and a roomy vanity—more than what I’ve come to expect from boutique properties.
Services/Amenities: The pool and oasis deck sat just steps from the patio seating, only a short walk from my room. Elevated above the street, the deck offers a unique urban view where palm trees and power lines sit almost at eye level, creating a distinct Los Angeles vibe. Only a few rooms have direct pool access, so the area rarely feels crowded and remains relaxed. Evening breezes and distant street sounds added to the pleasant sensory experience of poolside time.
The fitness room is compact but well equipped with cardio machines and a modest free-weight area that accommodates several guests at once. Each floor features soft, considered lighting and large bowls of bright Granny Smith apples that look decorative but are fresh—an appealing, authentic touch that reinforces the hotel’s attention to detail. The Orlando’s location in West Hollywood, just a short walk from Beverly Hills, places it amid boutique shops, cafés and restaurants along West Third Street. The Churchill, connected to the hotel, stands out with reclaimed-wood interiors, high ceilings and a full-service bar and kitchen that also handle room service—an especially convenient perk.
The Experience: The Orlando is a well-crafted urban boutique where thoughtful details are everywhere. At first it can feel intentionally curated, but those details—like the fresh fruit in public spaces, the spacious bathroom and the quiet patio—add up to a genuinely pleasant stay. Enjoying those simple, carefully chosen elements reveals the hotel’s bright, organic charm.
GT Checklist
- Doorman/valet
- Less than 10 minutes for check-in
- Separate tub and shower
- Large vanity
- High-quality towels
- Powerful, unattached hair dryer
- High-quality bed linens
- Large, flat-screen television
- Large desk with convenient outlets
- Large, complimentary laptop safe
- Complimentary in-room WiFi
- Complimentary bottled water
- Stocked minibar
- Ample lighting
- In-room coffeemaker
- Iron and ironing board
- On-site restaurant and bar
- 24-hour room service
- State-of-the-art fitness center
The Orlando Hotel
8384 W. Third St.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
tel 323 658 6600
theorlando.com