Tucked in the heart of Hollywood, BLVD Hotel & Suites offers sleek accommodations and boutique amenities, like a stellar pool and a Hollywood-inspired cocktail list, plus access to some of L.A.’s most famous sightseeing destinations.
Part of the fun of Hollywood’s touristy center is undeniably its retro appeal—a satisfying day of sightseeing might include lunch at Musso and Frank’s and a photo op with Marilyn Monroe. The Highland Avenue BLVD Hotel and Suites offers a contemporary counterpoint to that charmingly hokey Hollywood hustle. The ambiance is design-forward without feeling fussy, from the streamlined, spacious lobby to the suites themselves. Colorful rooms decorated with low-slung modern furniture feel sleek and contemporary, and feature of-the- moment amenities like pillow top beds, free wifi and flatscreen TVs for ultimate relaxation after braving the crowds outside. A business center, outdoor pool and grab-n- go cafe for quick bites round out the BLVD’s modern accommodations. If you still want the Old Hollywood treatment, be sure to stop in for a drink at the hotel’s bar, Archive Lounge—the wood- and velvet-accented watering hole specializes in drinks from classic cinema, so you can sip James Bond’s iconic Vesper in a cozy red booth. While the BLVD’s 101 freeway-adjacent location makes the space a little noisy (we recommend you book on the west side of the building), you’ll truly feel as though you’re in the heart of the city, making this a great spot for visitors seeking an in-depth urban L.A. experience.
Location: BLVD’s Highland Avenue location is close to tourism must-sees like Mann’s Chinese Theater and the Walk of Fame, as well as parks, dining, and nightlife. If you’re looking to leave the neighborhood for the day, hop a train (the metro is a few blocks away) to Downtown or the beach.
Nearby:
Hollywood Bowl: If a romantic, intimate, 18,000-seat concert seems like an oxymoron, you haven’t been to L.A.’s most legendary music venue. Bring a picnic and lose yourself in a heady mix of the Hollywood Hills’ natural beauty and critically acclaimed acts from around the world.
Hollywood Heritage Museum: Harkening back to Hollywood’s rural days (yes, Mann’s Chinese Theater was once a farm), this quaint restored 1895 barn house is home to photographs, props and memorabilia from the heydays of silent film, making for a mellow, educational tourist experience.
Griffith Observatory: Locals and tourists alike flock to the historic observatory to burn calories, take in the views and explore the hilltop planetarium.
Musso & Frank Grill: No Hollywood best-of list would be complete without the neighborhood’s oldest and most famous steakhouse. Make like the stars of yore—Charlie Chaplin was a regular—and grab a martini, a steak and side of house-made sourdough bread.
Hollywood Walk of Fame: If you’re booking a hotel in the heart of Hollywood, there’s a good chance you were already planning on visiting the Walk of Fame. It’s a bit hokey—and incredibly crowded—but a stroll down the star-studded boulevard is palpable with glamour and history, too.
Good for: If you’re looking to book a quick trip that hits all the L.A. must-see spots without breaking the bank, the BLVD Hotel is ideal for whirlwind sightseeing; it’s close enough to tons of tourist favorites, plus enough locals-only haunts that you’ll get the full Angelino experience without leaving the ‘hood.
Amenities: Pool, free wifi, bar, concierge
Time Out tip: Take a break from the teeming tourist traps along Hollywood Boulevard and spend an afternoon taking in more low key L.A. spectacles via a stroll through the nearby residential streets of quaint, eccentric houses. The Highland-Camrose Bungalow Village is an excellent example of California’s famed craftsman architecture.