Bedecked in Art Deco-inspired chintzy glamour, the Hollywood Celebrity Hotel offers playful nods to Hollywood’s history along with clean, comfy accommodations and access to the neighborhood’s most popular attractions.
Located just north of the chaos on Hollywood Boulevard, this fun and unfussy hotel provides a warm respite for tourists looking to relax after a long day of sightseeing. The building is a retro mix of Art Deco and mid-century architecture, with splashy decorative moldings and a palette of muted orange and pistachio. (It sounds like it shouldn’t work, but trust us, it does.) Vintage-inspired film posters, thrift-store art and movie-star style bulb-lit vanities add charm to guest rooms, which also come with more modern amenities like flatscreen TVs, free wifi and air conditioning. Other amenities include complimentary continental breakfast, self-serve and drop-off laundry service, and business services such as printing and faxing via the front desk. The most appealing perk of your stay at the Hollywood Celebrity, however, is access to some of L.A.’s more exclusive experiences—namely, hotel guests can use the Hollywood Celebrity’s Magic Castle guest pass to book a night at the city’s most cliquish establishment, a historic black tie magician’s club that offers nightly supper and a show to a select few.
Location: Just north of Hollywood Boulevard, the Celebrity Hotel is within walking distance of tourism must-sees like Mann’s Chinese Theater and Madame Tussaud’s. You’re also conveniently close to the Hollywood/Highland metro stop, where you can hop a train to Downtown, the beach and beyond.
Nearby:
Museum of Broken Relationships: This unique museum displays discarded relics of lost love that are alternately funny, tender, sad or all three. Whether you bring a date is up to you.
Musso & Frank Grill: No Hollywood best-of list would be complete without the neighborhood’s oldest and most famous steakhouse. Make like the stars of yore—Charlie Chaplin was a regular—and grab a martini, a steak and side of house-made sourdough bread.
Hollywood Walk of Fame: If you’re booking here, there’s a good chance you were already planning on visiting the Walk of Fame. It’s a bit hokey (and incredibly crowded) but a stroll down the star-studded boulevard is palpable with glamour and history, too.
The Running Goose: This Cahuenga Boulevard restaurant serves up flavorful Central American small plates—think cactus salad, ricotta tamale dumplings, and a slew of tostadas—in a mellow garden set back from Hollywood’s hustle and bustle.
Good for: The Hollywood Celebrity Hotel’s location makes it a natural choice for tourists—families, especially, will enjoy the hotel’s spacious rooms and friendly atmosphere, but couples and business travelers who want to experience the city’s sights while attending meetings nearby will also appreciate this spot’s quirky industry-inspired digs.
Amenities: Free wifi, laundry service, concierge
Time Out tip: Take a break from Hollywood’s throngs of tourists and spend at least one afternoon exploring nearby Runyon Canyon. If the shockingly tranquil greenery doesn’t compel you to make the short trip north, the possibility of celebrity sightings should—the park is a well-known spot for A-listers getting their sweat on away from the crowds.