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Review
Housed inside a decommissioned Silver Lake church which is nearly 100 years old, Hotel Lucile is one of the swishest openings to grace this east-ish side of L.A. in years. The boutique property—home to just 25 rooms—combines high style, local charm and culinary chops that Casetta (its hospitality group) has become synonymous with.
While the main draw for both L.A. residents and out-of-town visitors alike is Sous Sous, the downright stunning French-meets-Southern restaurant that occupies the church’s former nave, the in-room amenities and modest pool area make for a comfortable place to rest your head for a long weekend. During my two-night stay, I loved being able to cosplay as a Silver Lake local by visiting the Saturday morning farmers’ market and dropping into trendy Seco for a quick aperitivo. I also recommend making use of the hotel’s small but mighty rooftop, which is typically only accessible to overnight guests.
Aside from the lone Lucile Suite, the other two dozen rooms here are made up of a mix of kings and doubles spread out across three levels, some of which were once Sunday school classrooms. All of them are fairly compact, although the Signature and Premium King rooms include a dedicated mini-desk perfect for video calls or a quick work session. The green or white subway tiled bathrooms offer walk-in showers, plus a pair of eye-catching yellow-and-beige striped bathrobes from Venice’s Parachute.
Naturally, the minibar includes a collection of beverages and snacks curated by and sourced from Erewhon, which is located just a short walk away. Note that rooms with a pool view offer little sound protection whenever private events are being held outside.
Hotel Lucile’s on-site restaurant, Sous Sous, comprises the majority of the hotel’s ground floor and is definitely worth visiting for an evening meal with great food and even better ambience. Original stained glass windows and a pair of highly textured murals by Erin Lynn Welsh—one inspired by Eaton Canyon, another by Elysian Park—bookend the space, which also features an extensive in-house vinyl collection and elaborate floral arrangements.
Dinner menu highlights include the rainbow trout with a blackened polenta crust and the Parisian gnocchi. During the day, Sous Sous serves a slightly more no-frills breakfast and lunch menu exclusively for hotel guests that can also be served poolside.
Small, to put it bluntly, but serviceable. The fitness center features a lone Peloton bike, free weights, yoga mats and a functional trainer. The 15-foot-square square-shaped wading pool, in the words of general manager Anthony Gutierrez, is as large as the City of Los Angeles building and safety regulations would allow it to be. The greenery-lined pool area, however, makes for a delightful place to sunbathe and read a book nestled inside one of the cabanas or while relaxing atop one of the white chaise lounges.
You’re smack dab in the middle of Silver Lake, one of the coolest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, and thus all of the locale’s lively restaurants, bars and other nightlife destinations a short walk or scooter ride away.
Other notable area attractions include the Silver Lake Reservoir, ideal for picnicking, running and people-watching; the Neutra VDL House, an architectural landmark available via reservation-only weekend tours; and the various colorful, publicly available stairways that connect Silver Lake’s various hillside residentials to the streets below.
DETAILS
Address: 1629 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Price per night: Rooms start at $499 per night, midweek.
Closest transport: LAX is a 25-minute drive from the hotel.
Book now: via the official website.
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