Evaluate: W Hollywood | Prince of Journey

I lately made a visit to California to have fun my spouse Nicole’s birthday. We flew into San Francisco, drove down the coast by means of Large Sur, and ultimately wound up in Los Angeles.

This journey occurred throughout my first 12 months holding Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite standing. I used to be particularly wanting ahead to using my elevated advantages, particularly after spending roughly $150 and 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors on an 11-night “mattress run” earlier within the 12 months.

W Hollywood – Reserving

The W Hollywood is the one Marriott property that’s situated proper on Hollywood Boulevard. As I solely had one and a half days in Los Angeles, staying in a central location was necessary to me.

I booked us right into a Great Room straight by means of the Marriott Bonvoy web site. My intention was to make use of up a few of my lately amassed Marriott Bonvoy factors, which I had transferred throughout a switch bonus promotion.

On the time, the going fee for the resort was 50,000 factors, which might later drop right down to 45,000 factors throughout the “Week of Wonders” promotion. Each costs have been beneath the benchmark of our 0.6 cents per level (USD) valuation, when in comparison with the going money fee of $245 USD ($337 CAD).

Whereas 45,000 factors for my keep would get me shut to the minimal desired redemption valuation, I in the end determined to pay money. Given the reasonably sparse quantity of Bonvoy factors I at present maintain, I’d reasonably save them strategically for aspirational redemptions, as I had my sights on a keep on the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli.

I paid for a portion of my keep utilizing my American Specific US Gold Card, which had an Amex Provide to spend $200 and get $50 again. The stability was paid on a Marriott Bonvoy reward card, which I had bought in BC to reap the benefits of the Uncover Canada promotions on the time. 

With out stepping into the maths an excessive amount of, I ended up paying round $180 USD ($248 CAD), if not much less, for my room on the W Hollywood. I think about that to be a cut price.

W Hollywood is a property that’s eligible for Marriott Luminous bookings. By reserving a Marriott Luminous fee, you possibly can obtain further advantages on the identical fee you’d pay when reserving straight with the resort.

W Hollywood – Location

The W Hollywood is situated proper on Hollywood Boulevard. As you exit the resort, you may be greeted by the names of well-known stars as you stroll down the Hollywood Stroll of Fame.

A brief stroll away, you’ll discover well-known sights, such because the TCL Chinese language Theatre, the Egyptian Theatre, the El Capitan Theatre, Madame Tussauds, and Ripley’s Imagine It or Not. If you happen to’re travelling by automobile, Griffith Observatory and Common Studios are each only a 10-minute experience away. 

Whereas there’s an abundance of venues the place you possibly can take pleasure in foods and drinks, I needed to say three locations that stood out to me. All are inside a 10-minute strolling distance of the resort. 

I discovered Mad Labs to serve up a depraved cup of espresso. A small family-owned store, they’ve gained a formidable fame not solely regionally, however have taken dwelling awards from Roast Masters in NYC. 

The Musso & Frank Grill is an old-fashioned steakhouse that has been serving up good eats in Hollywood since 1919. If you wish to take a step again in time I might suggest making a reservation.

Just a little easter egg to look out for is on the servers proper cuff. Every golden star represents 5 years that individual has labored on the venue, and I used to be shocked to see somebody sporting eight stars, marking 40 years of service.

Sticking to the old-school theme, Good Instances at Davey Wayne’s is a speakeasy-style bar located behind a classic fridge door, and boasts some fairly spectacular cocktails. It tends to refill shortly, so I might suggest getting there early to safe a spot to sit down.

If you happen to’re trying to snap some pictures of the Hollywood signal, skip the Griffith Park Observatory. As a substitute go to Canyon Lake Drive, the place you’ll discover a significantly better viewpoint of the signal.

W Hollywood – Verify-in

After spending most of my day battling L.A. visitors, I arrived on the W Hollywood round 4pm. I used to be welcomed by the valet crew, who unloaded my automobile and organized for my baggage to be introduced on to my room.

Whereas I all the time go for self parking, the W Hollywood solely provides valet service for $60.50 USD per day. With out another choice to select from, I handed over my keys, collected my valet ticket, and made means into the foyer. 

As soon as within the foyer, I headed to one of many 4 check-in kiosks that have been out there. I initially appeared for the elite check-in counter, however was dissatisfied to see the property didn’t have one.

There was no line up, so on this explicit state of affairs, it didn’t make a distinction to the time it took for me to check-in. With the W being a premium model, such a consideration to element and creating an total higher visitor expertise for his or her most loyal prospects needs to be a precedence, in my view.

Going by means of a reasonably normal check-in process, I used to be provided a alternative between factors or a welcome amenity, which happy the Marriott Bonvoy Elite Welcome Present assure. The consultant confirmed me a duplicate of the breakfast menu, and gave me instructions on learn how to use the in-room eating to order within the morning.

I additionally acquired a complimentary improve to the Backyard WOW Suite, which was a nice shock to say the very least. It positively added a wow issue to my keep. 

Previous to my arrival, I’d engaged in some “suite-talking” shortly after making my reservation. I reached out to the resort by way of electronic mail, introducing myself as a Titanium Elite member, and shared some particulars about my upcoming keep.

I expressed my pleasure about visiting Los Angeles for the primary time, and that the aim of my keep was to have fun Nicole’s birthday, and that the suite I hoped to be upgraded to, maybe a Implausible or Marvelous Suite.

Whereas my requests for these explicit suites in the end weren’t fulfilled, I used to be very grateful for the even higher improve that I acquired ultimately.

W Hollywood – Backyard WOW Suite

I used to be upgraded to the Backyard WOW Suite for my one evening keep on the property. It’s a large 1,240 sq. foot room with a 609 sq. foot personal terrace, which positively places this on the largest resort suite I’d ever had the privilege of staying in as much as that time. 

The Backyard WOW Suite has a really trendy and chic-like really feel to it, staying consistent with the general theme of the property. This represented the L.A. expertise I used to be in search of.

With massive open areas, floor-to-ceiling home windows, and chic furnishings, this suite absolutely didn’t disappoint. 

The suite design was indicative of being an area to host your visitors in. You enter right into a foyer-like space with an hooked up powder room, earlier than shifting into the principle part of the suite.

Inside the principle space of the suite, you’ll discover hardwood flooring and a big 10-person glass eating desk that sits beneath three massive dimmable lighting fixtures to set any temper. The eating room has a small adjoining bar with a fridge, the place drinks might be saved, and a small kitchen space, the place snacks might be ready. 

Nicole and I discovered a bottle of wine, a charcuterie board, and a handwritten birthday card on this desk. After a protracted six-hour drive, arriving at our room with a bit unfold elevated our temper even additional, and we continued to discover our suite with a glass of wine in hand.

The room transitioned from a eating area to a lounge, with an exceptionally massive five-piece sectional being the focus of the area. The lounge was very properly lit, and the surprisingly snug sofa gave us an unobstructed view of the personal backyard terrace. 

All the curtains have been managed electronically by a distant on the wall.

Venturing out onto the terrace, there was a lounge-style seating space, a protracted out of doors desk, and sufficient vegetation round to offer a backyard vibe. An indication on the wall indicated that the utmost capability for the terrace was 45 individuals, so in fact it was abundantly massive for simply the 2 of us. 

We loved our wine and charcuterie board on the terrace. Even because it approached November, the climate in California was nonetheless pushing 20 levels Celsius, and we loved spending time open air. 

Persevering with our tour of the suite, we handed by a small desk space earlier than heading into the bed room and predominant toilet. The bed room was furnished with a floating king mattress and bedside tables over a luxurious purple rug, a really fashionable design that was properly consistent with the theme of the resort and the remainder of the room. 

The W Hollywood was inbuilt 2009, so it’s not outdated by any means. Whereas I discovered all different features of the property had been saved up-to-date, the toilet on this suite has positively been uncared for.

The ground tiles have been stained yellow, and the bathtub had seen higher days.

Within the bathe, there have been two rain options, each of which weren’t working. The jacuzzi tub had a infinity-style overflow design which I used to be excited to make use of, however sadly the stopper was damaged, and the bathtub couldn’t maintain water.

One other unusual factor I seen was that the bathtub fills from the ceiling. I might say this was a neat gimmick, however a results of the water falling from such a terrific top meant the water was simply splashing in every single place, making it a not very useful function.

W Hollywood – Breakfast

The W Hollywood’s breakfast for Marriott Bonvoy elite members might be loved in both the foyer restaurant, Delphine, or utilizing the resort’s in-room eating service. Nicole and I selected to go right down to the restaurant to get pleasure from our breakfast.

We got three choices for breakfast: yogurt and granola parfait, breakfast burrito & dwelling fries, or two eggs any type with bacon or sausage, toast and residential fries. We additionally had a alternative of espresso, tea, or juice.

Typically talking, I discovered the breakfast to be a bit underwhelming. The service within the restaurant was non-existent, with our waiter being rushed and abrasive throughout our restricted interactions. It was a shameful mark towards an in any other case good expertise on the W Hollywood. 

W Hollywood – Different Services

Whereas I didn’t have the chance to go to the health centre, I used to be in a position to briefly pop as much as the pool. The pool positively had L.A. vibes to it, with a big bar space, loads of little cabanas to sunbathe in, unimaginable views of the town, and even a view of the Hollywood signal.

W Hollywood – Service

Throughout my correspondence with the property previous to my arrival, I had related with Kiara, the W Hollywood’s W Insider. The position is in any other case often called a Visitor Expertise Coordinator.

I can say with confidence that my time on the W Hollywood wouldn’t have been the identical with out her, and he or she actually exhibited a stage of professionalism and customer support that I hardly ever come throughout. Kiara embodies what hospitality is all about, and went out of her means on quite a few events to make it possible for Nicole and I have been properly taken care of.

After I had initially reached out to the W informing them that I might be on the town to have fun a special day, she was excited for us to be visitors on the resort, and requested me what a few of Nicole’s pursuits and hobbies have been so she might plan one thing particular for us.

She emailed me again with choices, reminiscent of making reservations at native venues the place we might have fun, connecting us with an area yoga studio for a {couples}’ yoga session, and even arranging for a photographer to take pictures within the native Hollywood space. All of those actions have been outdoors of what the resort supplies to its visitors as a service, and stemmed from Kiara’s want to make it possible for visitors that stroll by means of the door of the W Hollywood had a memorable time.

It’s secure to say that she succeeded, and my time on the W Hollywood won’t quickly be forgotten. I extremely encourage anybody planning to make a journey to Hollywood to ensure the W is in your record of locations to go, and to attach with Kiara to rearrange any particular components of your keep.

Conclusion

The W model of resorts is all the time pleasant to remain at, and the W Hollywood isn’t any completely different. If you happen to’re looking for a spot to remain within the coronary heart of Hollywood, the W is bound to impress.

Its location can’t be beat when trying to fill your day with actions which can be only a stone’s throw away. Moreover, we had an exquisite expertise with the resort’s W Insider, who went out of her means to make sure our keep was memorable.

I hope that the small missteps throughout our keep, together with service throughout breakfast and the state of our room’s toilet, are remedied within the close to future, which might make stays on the W Hollywood even higher.