Located in residential Toluca Lake, this unassuming residential hotel attracts business travelers and budget-conscious families looking for feel of home without sacrificing the luxury of hotel amenities like maid service, tennis courts and two clubhouses with outdoor pools.
Situated in quiet Toluca Hills, the Oakwood offers furnished and unfurnished apartments to extended stay travelers who want more from their facilities than the average AirBnB offers. Studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments are simply decorated without seeming sparse, and cater to long-term visitors with practical accouterments including cookware, cleaning supplies and extra sheets. Rooms also come with standard hotel amenities like complimentary toiletries and high-def TVs, ensuring that even the most utilitarian stay feels a little fancy. Free wifi, meeting rooms and conference facilities make the Oakwood especially appealing to business travelers, but families are also welcome: visitors of all ages can take advantage of facilities like a basketball court and barbecue pits, and kids (and harried parents) will flock to the sprawling playground. The vibes here may be a bit grown-up, but there are enough playful perks to keep the Oakwood out of senior living territory: an outdoor pool, hot tub and tennis courts ensure that visitors actually feel like they’re on vacation.
Location: Nestled between Burbank and Hollywood, Toluca Hills is a mostly residential neighborhood that houses a surprising number of industry insiders who hop on the 101 to work at Burbank’s famed movie studios. The vibe is low-key, but there are some hidden gems to be found, and you’re within a short drive of the attractions of Hollywood and Universal Studios.
Nearby:
The Hollywood Sign: Pack lunch and spend an afternoon exploring the surprisingly verdant Hollywood hills and snapping photos with L.A.’s most iconic landmark.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Universal’s J.K. Rowling-approved Potterworld is a delight for fans of all ages and interests; the closest readers will have the most to nerd out on, but there are plenty of rides and attractions for newbies, too.
Iliad Bookshop: With over 100,000 used titles, this Noho indie bookstore is a local favorite and the perfect place to pick up some poolside reading material.
Sushi Yuzu: This under-the- radar sushi spot serves up some seriously fresh fish in a no-frills atmosphere. Consider it a welcome respite from the Universal Citywalk’s Hard Rock Cafe.
Good for: Residential hotels are designed for extended stays, so travelers who want to feel at home on long business trips would do well to book at the Oakwood. Families who want to visit the nearby Universal Studios theme park while saving some dough will also appreciate the hotel’s reasonable pricing and budget-friendly amenities (for instance, a kitchen lets you save serious cash on dining.) Given the neighborhood’s Northeast location, we recommend the Oakwood for guests who want to explore Hollywood, Burbank, or East L.A.—if you’re hoping to check out the beach, be prepared for a long, traffic-heavy commute.
Amenities: Pool, hot tub, free wifi, gym, spa, laundry service (self-serve)
Time Out tip: No matter how long your stay is, spring for a car. L.A.’s notoriously subpar public transport system is improving, but the metro hasn’t yet made its way to Toluca Hills. Once you rent some wheels, however, you’re a short drive from hip and historic neighborhoods like Hollywood, Los Feliz and Downtown.