Arrival/Check-In: Escaping the East Coast just ahead of a major snowstorm, I landed at LAX on an early Sunday afternoon, grabbed a cab and made my way to the Loews Hollywood Hotel. The hotel sits about 14 miles from the airport, and Los Angeles traffic can make that trip anywhere from roughly 40 minutes to an hour and 40 minutes depending on the time of day. My ride was on the quicker side. (When you get in the cab, ask whether the highway or local streets will be faster — both routes run roughly parallel.)
On arrival I was met by a bellman who took my luggage before I’d finished settling the fare with the driver. The hotel’s entry and lobby are expansive, with a large seating and lounge area and a fully stocked bar — about 50 feet across and backed by a wall-mounted digital monitor — positioned before the check-in desk. The lounge includes numerous well-placed outlets so you can charge devices while enjoying coffee, afternoon tea or an evening cocktail.
The front desk attendant greeted me with a warm smile and efficiently checked me in for a three-night stay in a studio king suite.
Guest Quarters: The studio king suite is as roomy as the lobby. The décor is clean and neutral, with tones of blue-gray accented by a touch of red, evoking a mid-century modern office feel. The suite included a comfortable sitting area and a spacious work desk with panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills and the iconic Hollywood sign. The sitting area featured two chairs, a small sofa and a coffee table where I enjoyed meals delivered by room service. The flat-screen television was large but the programming options were limited and the picture quality inconsistent at times.
The bathroom layout involved two heavy doors that closed automatically: one enclosed the sink and makeup area, and the second enclosed the toilet and a glass-enclosed shower (there was no tub). To avoid repeatedly opening doors, I left them propped during my stay. The shower delivered strong water flow, and the vanity, lighting and counter space were all excellent.
Services/Amenities: My schedule allowed only brief visits to Preston’s, the hotel’s restaurant located a couple of floors above the lobby, but each morning the hostess welcomed me back and quickly seated me at a standard four-person table; there’s also an outdoor patio option. I chose the buffet on each visit and found the selection and quality impressive, including freshly squeezed orange juice. On one occasion when I asked for coffee from the dispenser the attendant politely brought a freshly brewed pot to the table.
During my stay a large corporate meeting took place, yet the hotel handled it without interference. I had no trouble moving around the property, accessing amenities such as the fitness center, lounge and restaurant, or hailing a cab when needed.
The Experience: The property contains a surprising amount of flexible meeting space, allowing events both large and small to run without impinging on guests. The hotel also offers practical business services, including a FedEx Business Center, a well-appointed pool deck for relaxation, and even a helipad. Overall, Loews Hollywood strikes a solid balance between business-focused facilities and leisure comforts, all in the heart of Hollywood, California.
GT CHECKLIST
Doorman/valet: Yes
Check-in time under 10 minutes: Yes
Separate tub and shower: No
Large vanity: Yes
High-quality towels: Not specified
Powerful, unattached hair dryer: Yes
High-quality bed linens: Yes
Large, flat-screen television: Yes
Large desk with convenient outlets: Yes
Large, complimentary laptop safe: Yes
Complimentary in-room WiFi: Yes
Complimentary bottled water: Yes
Stocked minibar: Yes
Ample lighting: Yes
In-room coffeemaker: Not specified
Iron and ironing board: Not specified
On-site restaurant: Yes
24-hour room service: Yes
24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center: Not specified
Turn-down service: Yes
Loews Hollywood Hotel
1755 N. Highland Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90028
tel 323 856 1200
loewshotels.com