The W Hollywood’s high-visibility location on Hollywood Boulevard fits well with its colorful, flashy design and fun-loving atmosphere. The social scene makes it a great meeting spot for late-night (or middle of the afternoon) drinks, and the lobby lounge offers fast service and decent eats.
The assertive, high-energy ethos of W Hollywood places a high emphasis on recreational activities—no small feat for a hotel parked in the middle of raring-to-go Hollywood. The list of amusements is endless: while the lobby is like a rotating door for different DJs Friday and Saturday, Sunday and Thursday evenings are reserved for live bands, which tend to draw a sizable audience of non-guests. And let’s not even get started on the rooftop pool parties (a wristband system is implemented to control crowd size). While the festivities are isolated to the public areas, the rooms themselves are much tamer—think sleek white desks, charcoal gray walls and white tufted minibars. A pulsing lounge vibe is always semi-present here, which attracts some while signaling a red flag for other, more serene-oriented guests. Of note is the spa (glass-tiled steam rooms and a relaxation lounge that boasts a brownie buffet), as well as Station Hollywood, an outdoor lounge that recreates a tropical resort vibe with palm trees, cushioned couches and fire pits. It’s not exactly a beach bar in Hawaii, but after a few cocktails you won’t really notice the difference.
Location: With the Walk of Fame and the Metro red line directly in front of the hotel, it’s quite the hassle-free home base for first-time travelers to the city. A popular meeting point, the intersection of Hollywood and Vine offers endless options for food, drink, and exploring the main sights of Hollywood.
Nearby:
TCL Grauman’s Chinese Theater: An 18-minute walk is all it takes to reach the famous Chinese Theater, which reopened after extensive renovations in 2013, and offers one of the largest IMAX theaters in the world.
Hollywood Bowl: A 7-minute drive from the hotel, this 18,000-seat venue hosts concerts ranging from pop to rock to classical, and makes for some seriously impressive night views of the Hollywood-scape.
Capitol Records Building: Just up the street from the hotel, this cylindrical tower has been an eccentric part of the Hollywood skyline since 1956.
Pantages Theater: This vintage entertainment palace sits opposite from the hotel, and specializes in big-budget musicals. There are long-running shows such as Wicked, as well as top-billing touring acts like Hamilton.
Good for: The W Hollywood keeps things exciting, from regular pool parties to live music performances in the lobby—not to mention a delightful outdoor lounge restaurant. Nightlife enthusiasts, large groups and even restless solo travelers won’t have to wander far to feel plugged into the scene.
Amenities: Pool, sauna, room service, minibar, restaurant, bar, gym, concierge, spa
Time Out tip: Since this is Hollywood, it’s understandable that a certain degree of wild spontaneity will factor into most stays here. The hotel’s unique concierge program supplies two W Insiders on premises at all times; these are your go-tos should you need to fulfill a late-night burger craving, or snag last-minute tickets to a show at the Hollywood Bowl, or even skip the line at popular nightlife spots like Avalon and Playhouse.