I just lately made a visit to California to have a good time my spouse Nicole’s birthday. We flew into San Francisco, drove down the coast by 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 essential to me.
I booked us right into a Great Room instantly by the Marriott Bonvoy web site. My intention was to make use of up a few of my just lately collected Marriott Bonvoy factors, which I had transferred throughout a switch bonus promotion.
On the time, the going price for the resort was 50,000 factors, which might later drop all the way down to 45,000 factors through the “Week of Wonders” promotion. Each costs had been beneath the benchmark of our 0.6 cents per level (USD) valuation, when in comparison with the going money price of $245 USD ($337 CAD).
Whereas 45,000 factors for my keep would get me shut to the minimal desired redemption valuation, I finally determined to pay money. Given the relatively sparse quantity of Bonvoy factors I at present maintain, I’d relatively 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 Categorical 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 entering 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 price, you’ll be able to obtain further advantages on the identical price you’d pay when reserving instantly with the resort.
E book with Prince of Journey and Marriott Luminous
E book a resort stick with Prince of Journey by Marriott Luminous and revel in unique further advantages for free of charge to you, together with:
- Day by day breakfast for 2 visitors
- Room improve, topic to availability at check-in
- Early check-in and late check-out, topic to availability
- Welcome amenity
- $100 (USD) property credit score at choose properties
- Third, Fourth, or Fifth Evening Free at choose properties
E book W Hollywood
W Hollywood – Location
The W Hollywood is situated proper on Hollywood Boulevard. As you exit the resort, you’ll 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 points of interest, such because the TCL Chinese language Theatre, the Egyptian Theatre, the El Capitan Theatre, Madame Tussauds, and Ripley’s Consider It or Not. In the event you’re travelling by automobile, Griffith Observatory and Common Studios are each only a 10-minute journey away.
Whereas there’s an abundance of venues the place you’ll be able to bask in foods and drinks, I wished 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 popularity not solely domestically, however have taken residence awards from Roast Masters in NYC.
The Musso & Frank Grill is an old style steakhouse that has been serving up good eats in Hollywood since 1919. If you wish to take a step again in time I’d advocate 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 particular person 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 Occasions 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’d advocate getting there early to safe a spot to take a seat.
In the event you’re trying to snap some photographs of the Hollywood signal, skip the Griffith Park Observatory. As an alternative go to Canyon Lake Drive, the place you’ll discover a a lot better viewpoint of the signal.
W Hollywood – Test-in
After spending most of my day battling L.A. site visitors, I arrived on the W Hollywood round 4pm. I used to be welcomed by the valet group, 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 affords valet service for $60.50 USD per day. With out an alternative choice to select from, I handed over my keys, collected my valet ticket, and made method into the foyer.
As soon as within the foyer, I headed to one of many 4 check-in kiosks that had been out there. I initially appeared for the elite check-in counter, however was disenchanted to see the property didn’t have one.
There was no line up, so on this specific scenario, it didn’t make a distinction to the time it took for me to check-in. With the W being a premium model, any such consideration to element and creating an total higher visitor expertise for his or her most loyal clients needs to be a precedence, in my view.
Going by a reasonably commonplace check-in process, I used to be supplied a selection 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 obtained a complimentary improve to the Backyard WOW Suite, which was a pleasing 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 e-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 a good time Nicole’s birthday, and that the suite I hoped to be upgraded to, maybe a Unbelievable or Marvelous Suite.
Whereas my requests for these specific suites finally weren’t fulfilled, I used to be very grateful for the even higher improve that I obtained in the long run.
W Hollywood – Backyard WOW Suite
I used to be upgraded to the Backyard WOW Suite for my one night time keep on the property. It’s an enormous 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 fashionable and chic-like really feel to it, staying in step with the general theme of the property. This represented the L.A. expertise I used to be on the lookout for.
With giant 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 connected powder room, earlier than transferring into the primary part of the suite.
Inside the primary space of the suite, you’ll discover hardwood flooring and a big 10-person glass eating desk that sits beneath three giant dimmable lighting fixtures to set any temper. The eating room has a small adjoining bar with a fridge, the place drinks could be saved, and a small kitchen space, the place snacks could 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 somewhat 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 house to a lounge, with an exceptionally giant five-piece sectional being the focus of the house. The lounge was very properly lit, and the surprisingly comfy sofa gave us an unobstructed view of the personal backyard terrace.
The entire curtains had been managed electronically by a distant on the wall.
Venturing out onto the terrace, there was a lounge-style seating space, a protracted outside desk, and sufficient vegetation round to provide a backyard vibe. An indication on the wall indicated that the utmost capability for the terrace was 45 folks, so in fact it was abundantly giant 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 rest room. The bed room was furnished with a floating king mattress and bedside tables over an opulent purple rug, a really trendy design that was properly in step with the theme of the resort and the remainder of the room.
The W Hollywood was in-built 2009, so it’s not previous 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 had 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 observed was that the bathtub fills from the ceiling. I’d say this was a neat gimmick, however a results of the water falling from such an ideal peak meant the water was simply splashing in every single place, making it a not very practical function.
W Hollywood – Breakfast
The W Hollywood’s breakfast for Marriott Bonvoy elite members could be loved in both the foyer restaurant, Delphine, or utilizing the resort’s in-room eating service. Nicole and I selected to go all the way down to the restaurant to take pleasure in our breakfast.
We got three choices for breakfast: yogurt and granola parfait, breakfast burrito & residence fries, or two eggs any fashion with bacon or sausage, toast and residential fries. We additionally had a selection 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 in opposition to an in any other case good expertise on the W Hollywood.
W Hollywood – Different Amenities
Whereas I didn’t have the chance to go to the health centre, I used to be capable of 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 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 generally known as 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 she or he really exhibited a degree of professionalism and customer support that I hardly ever come throughout. Kiara embodies what hospitality is all about, and went out of her method on quite a few events to guarantee that Nicole and I had been properly taken care of.
After I had initially reached out to the W informing them that I’d be on the town to have a good time 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 had been so she might plan one thing particular for us.
She emailed me again with choices, comparable to making reservations at native venues the place we might have a good time, connecting us with a neighborhood yoga studio for a {couples}’ yoga session, and even arranging for a photographer to take photographs within the native Hollywood space. All of those actions had been outdoors of what the resort supplies to its visitors as a service, and stemmed from Kiara’s want to guarantee that visitors that stroll by 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 listing of locations to go, and to attach with Kiara to rearrange any particular parts 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. In the event you’re trying to find a spot to remain within the coronary heart of Hollywood, the W is certain to impress.
Its location can’t be beat when trying to fill your day with actions which are only a stone’s throw away. Moreover, we had a beautiful expertise with the resort’s W Insider, who went out of her method 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 rest room, are remedied within the close to future, which might make stays on the W Hollywood even higher.
