Being in Hollywood for the Fourth of July weekend promises a certain kind of magic. For our trip, we wanted a hotel that felt like stepping right into that iconic energy. We had a few prerequisites: it had to be in Hollywood and capture its essence: stylish, glamorous, with a little bit of an edge, coupled with the convenience of being in the heart of the action. We’d planned an action-packed weekend in Tinseltown and needed a hotel that could keep up with our pace. With its “fabulous” review rating on Booking.com, the W Hotel Hollywood seemed like the obvious choice, but would it live up to the hype after its recent upgrade?
After a 45-minute Uber ride from LAX on the afternoon of the 4th, we pulled up at the hotel. (I should point out here that we disembarked from the plane, passed through immigration, collected our luggage and were outside the arrivals terminal at Tom Brady International Airport in just over 30 minutes, which was a bit of a surprise. Back to the W.)
Located on Hollywood Boulevard, the hotel’s entrance was a welcome sight. A friendly concierge greeted us (something we would learn is the norm at the W Hollywood) and we walked up the steps and into the stunning lobby, where we were instantly transported to what seemed like another world. We had arrived.
Stepping into Style
The hotel was recently renovated and the lobby is like something straight out of a movie, setting a great tone before you even check in. This impressive transformation was spearheaded by the renowned New York-based design and architecture firm, Rockwell Group, which has collaborated with W for nearly 30 years.
The Group’s vision for redesigning the W Hollywood was inspired by “the city’s rich history of film, music, palm tree-lined streets, and shimmering prisms of light” to evoke the feeling of a luxurious home nestled in the Hollywood Hills. As you walk into the lobby, the Living Room is to your left. This jaw-droppingly beautiful triple-height space features unique elements everywhere you look, starting with the lush, deep-green conversation pit seating that subtly references the local topography and evokes retro futuristic 1970s vibes. I couldn’t wait to sit on one of the inviting couches with a cocktail in my hand and people-watch the weird and wonderful. Overhead, an artful arrangement of bronze-mirror oval panels and acrylic rods. Dramatic, 35-foot-tall concrete “curtains” frame the fireplace, appearing as fluid as fabric. It pulls my eye through the room to a sweeping spiral staircase that looks like it could be in a Dua Lipa video. It’s cool and contemporary, yet simultaneously luxuriously laid-back.
But it’s not just about looks; the service at the W Hollywood was excellent. Even with the holiday crowd, checking in was super easy and quick. The staff were genuinely friendly right from the start; all smiles and genuinely engaged and eager to help. They handled everything smoothly, provided us with all the info we needed, and made us feel welcome. That friendly, helpful vibe continued throughout our whole trip. Everyone we met, from the concierge to the folks we just passed in the hall, was friendly and ready to help.
Our Hollywood Hideaway
Our premier king room was on the fourth floor (a serendipitous match for the celebrations of the weekend, perhaps?) and totally exceeded our expectations. W hotels are known for their cool rooms, and ours was no exception. Rockwell had overseen the renovation here too, with a fresh, modern look that echoes the retro-futuristic theme of the lobby. The room had an eclectic blend of intentionally mismatched design elements that embraced the vivid colours of Southern California and popped beautifully against the Venetian plaster-inspired walls.
Ok, let’s get into the details. The king bed was incredibly comfortable, with crisp sheets and tons of pillows, which was incredibly welcoming after long days and late nights — and helped to keep our jetlag away. The mini-bar had a good selection of snacks and drinks, which was handy, and there was an ice machine and water fountain just down the hall.
The bathroom was beautiful, boasting a large walk-in shower with good water pressure, nice toiletries, and lots of counter space. Little touches like the lighting and mirrors made it feel comfortable and chic. There was also a steamer instead of the expected iron and an ironing board, which was a welcome sight for me (I take a travel steamer with me, and it was nice to use the more powerful one provided instead of my travel-sized version).
The highlight of the room for us was definitely the wraparound seating. Local Angeleno friends joined us in our room for drinks and nibbles on Saturday afternoon before heading to the Hollywood Bowl, and there was more than enough room for all five of us to sit comfortably.
The room wasn’t huge, but it felt surprisingly roomy and well-designed and, more importantly, provided the perfect escape from the Hollywood craziness outside.
Good Eats and Drinks
After freshening up, we decided to grab a late lunch/early dinner at There There, the hotel’s culinary and cocktail venue located in The Garden that offers a “Modern Angeleno experience where eating, drinking, and lounging come together effortlessly.” We were led to a table and took in the scenery. This courtyard was dressed with trees and native vegetation nestled around tables and loveseats. My eye was drawn to the stunning mosaic terrazzo flooring, featuring tones of green, pink, and brown, which added to the indoor-outdoor flow from the Living Room.
The vibes were on point, as were the much-needed cocktails. In keeping with the spirit of the holiday weekend, I opted for the Fire & Ice cocktail, recommended by our fabulous server, Jeremy, which was a blend of Mezcal, watermelon purée, habanero agave, and lime juice. It was deliciously potent and I soon found myself ordering a second.
We ordered the Cauliflower Pastor Donabe (BBQ pineapple, heirloom yellow corn, escabeche and guacasalsa), which was incredibly flavourful, and a strawberry and heirloom tomato salad, which popped with refreshingly sweet zestiness.
Additional features
The W Hollywood also features a stunning rooftop pool where you can soak up the SoCal sunshine with expansive views of the Hollywood Hills and downtown Hollywood. Book a private cabana for the ultimate experience in luxury and comfort.
There’s also a fully equipped fitness centre, which, sadly, we didn’t have time to explore during this trip.
Location, Location, Location
As I mentioned, we were in the City of Angels for the Fourth of July weekend and had an action-packed schedule. One of the best things about the W Hollywood is its prime location. Right on Hollywood Boulevard, it’s super easy to get to all the famous spots. You step right out into the middle of Hollywood’s energy. The Walk of Fame is right on the doorstep, so you can easily wander around and find your favorite stars. The historic TCL Chinese Theatre (with all those handprints) and the Dolby Theatre (where the Oscars happen) are just a short walk away.
The Hollywood Bowl, where we had tickets to see the LA Philharmonic play on Saturday night, and Universal Studios, our Sunday activity, were both within a 10-minute Uber ride away. If you want to be right in the heart of Hollywood, this location is hard to beat.
The Final Word on W Hollywood Hotel
Our Fourth of July stay at the W Hotel Hollywood was definitely Oscar-worthy. The winning mix of style, comfort, super-friendly staff, and an amazing location sums up Los Angeles to a T. It’s a perfect choice whether you’re LA locals looking for a staycation or tourists wanting to experience Hollywood.
If you want a stay that will make you feel like an A-List celeb, the W Hotel Hollywood is definitely the place.
