The Standard, Hollywood, shouldn’t need an introduction. One of the most iconic hotels in the world and part of a brand that has become a bastion of cool, the boutique hotel has glamour running through its veins, with the likes Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz and Benicio del Toro all early investors.
Location
Originally built in 1962 as the Thunderbird Motel, The Standard, Hollywood, retained its vintage look and sits right in the heart of West Hollywood. Walking distance to the restaurants, bars and clubs of the Sunset Strip, The Standard, Hollywood, is equally well connected to go further afield.
Just short drive to Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Century City or the La Brea area, while the Metro Rail from Hollywood and Highland links north to Studio City and south the Downtown LA and beyond.
In expansive LA, it’s a blessing to have some much to do on your doorstep. Amoeba Music and the ArcLight Cinema sit further along Sunset Boulevard, while Opening Ceremony and the stores of Melrose Avenue and The Grove are to the south.
Rooms
We stayed in an X-Large room, and though the expansive floor space was relatively sparsely filled with furniture, the space really worked. Like walking onto the set of Mad Men, the midcentury inspired king-size bed was a dream while a daybed sofa was perfect for lounging in front of the big TV.
Thanks to the famous billowing walls, most rooms comes with a balcony and views of the pool or city skyline. We’d recommend asking for a room facing downtown LA as though the pool area is gorgeous, on weekends and some evenings, it can get be a little loud.
If you’ve packed 100 outfits, never fear, the big wardrobes will swallow even the biggest of suitcases with space to hang and shelves to pile upon.
The smaller rooms still feel luxurious so if you’re on a tighter budget, don’t feel like you’re missing out too much, though if you can splurge on a suite the wraparound balconies are magnificent.
Bathroom
The bathroom was the real showpiece of our room. With delightful orange faucets and a Hollywood mirror, the playful bathroom was split with a walkthrough basin area and shower and toilet wet room. A hand hole to turn the shower on without getting wet and a towel rail within reaching distance were both thoughtful touches.
The robes and fluffy towels were both good enough to take home too.
Amenities
You could come to The Standard, Hollywood, and not make it out of the hotel for a couple of days. The famous pool has become a place to be seen in LA, and while at weekends it’s flooded with scenesters and some pretty amusing Hollywood couples, midweek it’s an idyllic paradise.
You could sneak in a few laps early morning, but the pool is more of a cool off and hang out spot, perfect for the hot Californian summer. With pool-side service and a tempting cocktail menu, hours fly by in the big sun loungers.
Throughout the hotel, including your room, it was great to hear the hotel offers free WiFi. The speed, however, was borderline unusable, and a paid premium connection didn’t prove much better. The speed is just about good enough to do some last minute day planning, but anything more, like streaming late night Netflix or Skyping with back home, is out of the question.
The overstocked minibars somewhat made up for it. Filling the fridge with tempting champagne and liquors, a box sitting on top boasted everything you might have forgotten, including an exclusive Harry’s shaving kit, popping candy chocolate bars and gifts for back home in case you forget to pick something up.
Restaurant
If you’ve ever dined at a Standard Hotel restaurant you’ll know how tempting the room service menu will be. While we didn’t dine in The Standard, Hollywood’s, diner-style restaurant for dinner, we did have it ordered to our room, and it was the best room service of our lives.
Open 24/7, the modern American menu is exquisite and our Grilled Pork Chop and side of Roasted Baby Carrots were a delight. The room service tray came with the cutest little bottle of Tabasco sauce too.
Though their Lemon Ricotta Pancakes for breakfast were disappointing, a Turkey Reuben by the pool made up for it, and we’d wholly recommend dining at the hotel whether you’re staying there or not.
The Standard, Hollywood, bar and poolside patio is great to catch up with friends or while away an evening.
Verdict
There are quirks at The Standard, Hollywood, that I’ll admit I don’t get. ‘The Box’ art exhibit in the lobby is glass box built into the wall where a model sits every evening and does what they see fit. But The Standard, Hollywood, has built its reputation on bold moves.
While the rooms don’t offer the all-out luxury of some hotels in the same price bracket, the ambience of The Standard, Hollywood, is difficult to beat and it’s a real place to be in LA.
To experience what Hollywood is all about, you can’t go wrong, while the pool and restaurant will make staying in all that more tempting. The Standard, Hollywood, has an energy you can’t beat and it’s impossible to leave without having bundles of fun. Plus people watching by the pool every Sunday is one of the best activities around.
For reservations and more, please visit: www.standardhotels.com/hollywood
The Standard, Hollywood, 8300 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069