Arrival/Check-In: I arrived mid-afternoon on a Sunday after my taxi fought the notorious Los Angeles traffic from LAX. The guest arrival entrance is around back, and staff was very attentive to me and the other arriving guests. While waiting to be checked in, I admired the tile fountain in the arrival desk area, which created a calming effect. I wandered down a hall, following the sound of upbeat music, which led me to the Tropicana Café pool area. Since it was a weekend and the weather was favorable, the area was filled with hotel guests and pool guests alike — all having drinks, laughs and fun. It seems the Tropicana Café pool is used for private parties and as a place to relax on the weekend for L.A. locals. After quickly checking in and receiving a complimentary bottle of water, I went up to my room in the Tower section. I wanted to change into my bathing suit and grab a bite to eat back at the pool lounge.

Guest Quarters: The Tower building has 12 floors, each showcasing large black-and-white pictures of old Hollywood on the walls in the hallways. My room, a Superior Tower room, featured a queen-sized canopy bed; hardwood floors; a desk; a large, flat-screen TV; and plenty of comfortable couches and chairs in the 300-square-foot area.

I noticed a handwritten note on the desk from guest relations welcoming me, signed by Nicole, Bryce and Juliana — a nice touch. The hardwood floors, leather furniture and simple design reminded me of a New York City-style loft. My windows overlooked Hollywood Boulevard, with the sidewalks bearing the Walk of Fame stars. The office building next to the hotel slightly obscured the iconic Hollywood sign, but Grauman’s Chinese Theatre was in clear sight. I did not take advantage of the fully stocked minibar but thoroughly enjoyed the Davines bathroom amenities. The water closet was separate from the shower, which had a great rain shower option.

Services/Amenities: I spent a few hours on the day of check-in at the Tropicana Café pool area. The menu offered American fare with burgers, fries, salads and sandwiches and a good selection of brunch cocktails. A cold beer paired nicely with my burger for a lunch by the pool. Behind some palm trees near the pool sat the Garden, a smaller outdoor Southern California beer garden. These were two of the four restaurants in the hotel. I also tried 25 Degrees for breakfast each morning, which filled me up with eggs, bacon, toast and delicious hash browns. Public Kitchen & Bar, the Roosevelt’s classic American brasserie created by Tim Goodell, serves a fantastic charred Spanish octopus. The bar options impressed me; my favorite was the Spare Room, referring to the “spares” its patrons left on the bar’s two-lane bowling alley. Other amenities include a 24-hour gym and room service, which I did not get the chance to experience.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

◆ The hotel and the multimilliondollar mural on the bottom of the Tropicana pool both are designated Historic-Cultural Monuments by L.A.’s Cultural Heritage Commission.

◆ There is so much to do inside the hotel with its restaurant and bar options, you may forget you are in the heart of Hollywood until you step outside on the Walk of Fame.

◆ Marilyn Monroe lived in the hotel for two years early in her career. Rumor has it her ghost still haunts the hotel!

THE HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT

7000 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
tel 323 856 1970
thehollywoodroosevelt.com