One of the most affordable hotels in Hollywood (that’s hotel, not motel), this sunny yellow compound offers superior service—and free snacks—in a pleasantly chintzy atmosphere.
Next door to Hollywood’s famed Magic Castle—an exclusive, black tie supper club open only to magicians and their kin—is the surprisingly affordable and far more welcoming Magic Castle Hotel. Atmospheric details like a decorative fountain-laced courtyard, an outdoor lap pool,and a sunflower yellow paint job give the hotel an air of ‘60s-eque kitschy bliss. The design scheme of the rooms themselves can seem a bit outdated (think ‘80s art and fruit bowls) but they’re spacious and clean; an additional win is that all rooms forgo the standard Mr. Coffee for a full kitchen. Small perks like complimentary breakfast and free wifi are augmented by unlimited free snacks (yes, unlimited, and 24-hours, to boot) and a famously friendly front desk that, in addition to advice on the neighborhood, gleefully provides kids with magic kits and popsicles upon request.
Location: Plotted just above Hollywood Boulevard, the Magic Castle is close to tourism must-sees like Mann’s Chinese Theater and the Walk of Fame. A short walk will also land you at the Hollywood/Highland metro stop, where you can hop a train to Downtown or the beach.
Nearby:
Running Goose: This Cahuenga Boulevard restaurant serves up flavorful Central American small plates—think cactus salad, ricotta tamale dumplings, and a slew of tostadas—in a mellow garden set back from Hollywood’s hustle and bustle.
Hollywood Walk of Fame: If you’re booking a hotel on Hollywood Boulevard, 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.
Library Bar at the Roosevelt Hotel: L.A.’s Roosevelt Hotel has a reputation for unabashed Old Hollywood decadence in film, TV and hip hop; the Library bar is a slightly lower key spin on the hyped-up hotel, but it’s still delightfully fancy. You’ll find an antiqued glass ceiling and zebra-skin stools, but you won’t find a menu; in lieu of standard cocktails, after taking in your preferences, the master mixologists craft a bespoke cocktail just for you.
Pantages Theater: Home to big-budget musicals like Wicked and Hamilton, this restored art deco playhouse gives Broadway a run for its money.
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.
Good for: The Magic Castle hotel is a solid home base for tourists looking to explore Hollywood, but it’s the hotel’s family-friendly service that makes it stand out. Toys and ice cream are provided to children upon request, so feel free to bring along the whole gang.
Amenities: Pool, hot tub, sauna, room service, free Wi-Fi, minibar, restaurant, bar, shop, gym, laundry service, concierge, spa
Time Out tip: Consult the front desk on getting into the Magic Castle supper club next door. The club is notoriously exclusive—historically, you’ve needed to know a magician to get on the guest list—but the hotel’s concierge has been known to occasionally pull strings for its guests.