Arrival/Check-In: Before the airport shuttle had finished pulling up, a valet and bellhop greeted me, took my luggage and accompanied me to the front desk. Check-in was quick and pleasant; the clerk mentioned the hotel’s evening Wine Hour in the lobby and the complimentary coffee and tea service each morning. The bellhop walked me to my room, pointing out hotel features and room details along the way.
Guest Quarters: My Vista room featured an extremely comfortable king bed with plenty of pillows and soft linens, two bedside tables with reading lamps and an iHome docking clock radio, and a stylish chaise lounge with a standing lamp beside the floor-to-ceiling window. The view was impressive: Century City towers in the foreground, downtown Los Angeles skyscrapers to the south and the Pacific glinting to the west. Opposite the bed, a large console contained a well-stocked minibar and refrigerator, a safe, and a large flat-screen television. I also appreciated the roomy desk and ergonomic work chair with easy access to multiple power outlets—ideal for business travelers.
The bathroom was generous, with a single-sink vanity stocked with Etro from Milano toiletries provided for Kimpton’s Dress for Success partnership. The mild, unscented formulas were suitable for all guests. The tub/shower combination offered responsive controls and good water pressure. Like the sleeping area, the bathroom combined neutral walls and flooring with colorful accents and original artwork.
Services/Amenities: The Palomar houses BLVD 16, a lounge and restaurant just off the street-level lobby. Though my schedule took me off-property for meetings and dinners, I enjoyed the continental breakfast served there each morning—complimentary for Kimpton InTouch loyalty members—with attentive tableside service. The lobby “living room” is comfortable and inviting, furnished with cozy chairs and sofas, an open-sided fireplace and soft lighting. Wine Hour showcases several selections chosen by the hotel’s sommelier and offers a relaxed atmosphere for meeting colleagues, chatting with other guests or enjoying live music that remains unobtrusive to conversation. It’s a pleasant spot even for solo travelers.
The hotel provides on-site parking and a small heated outdoor pool and deck. There is ballroom and meeting space, a business center with two computers and a printer, and a fitness center. While the gym lacked weight machines, the equipment was current and the sixth-floor windows look out over Wilshire Boulevard. Pet owners will appreciate that the Palomar welcomes four-legged guests without a size limit or extra fee and offers several pet-friendly amenities. I used the complimentary car service for drop-offs within three miles of the hotel, covering nearby shopping and luxury hotels in Beverly Hills as well as the UCLA campus—very convenient for exploring the area.
The Experience: Hotel Palomar delivers boutique-style, comfortable accommodations in a convenient Westwood location with the amenities both business and leisure travelers expect. Staff interactions were consistently warm and helpful; every team member I encountered greeted me kindly and was eager to assist. Based on my stay, I would recommend this hotel to travelers visiting Los Angeles.
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
Hotel Palomar Los Angeles – Westwood
10740 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
tel 310 475 8711
kimptonhotels.com