Sunset Tower Hotel

"Sunset Tower Hotel — One Key West Hollywood The décor is seemingly tailor-made for the golden afternoon sunlight that brought the film business to LA in the first place. It’s not quite high luxury, but it’s pleasantly upscale, with high-end Egyptian linens and Kiehl’s bath products. And if there’s any incongruity, it’s between the classic elegance of the Sunset Tower and the very modern inelegance of the Sunset Strip. It’s a locale that’s best enjoyed with a raised eyebrow, and then escaped, with a trip to the Sunset Tower’s day spa or to the Tower Bar and Restaurant, a clubby, classic eatery on the site of what used to be the apartment belonging to the gangster Bugsy Siegel." - The MICHELIN Guide

"The décor is seemingly tailor-made for the golden afternoon sunlight that brought the film business to LA in the first place. It’s not quite high luxury, but it’s pleasantly upscale, with high-end Egyptian linens and Kiehl’s bath products. And if there’s any incongruity, it’s between the classic elegance of the Sunset Tower and the very modern inelegance of the Sunset Strip. It’s a locale that’s best enjoyed with a raised eyebrow, and then escaped, with a trip to the Sunset Tower’s day spa or to the Tower Bar and Restaurant, a clubby, classic eatery on the site of what used to be the apartment belonging to the gangster Bugsy Siegel." - The MICHELIN Guide

"Travel through time with a stay at Sunset Tower along the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood." - Keyla Vasconcellos

"Piercing the blue Californian skies on Sunset Boulevard, this elegant Art Deco tower has long been a landmark of the city, home to Hollywood greats since its arrival in 1931, courtesy of architect Leland A. Bryant. In those days it was Clark Gable and Greta Garbo, Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner—and John Wayne, who apparently kept a cow on his balcony to ensure fresh milk for his coffee. Now it’s shiny again after a multi-million-dollar renovation, and 21st-century stars are coming here just for a night or to grab a drink at the see-and-be-seen Tower Bar on the notorious Sunset Strip. The maître d’ discreetly juggles regular guests such as Jennifer Aniston with those who prefer dim lighting or need private corners for tête-à-têtes, while the bottom of the menu firmly reads: "No photographs. No phone calls." The spicy tuna tartare is nearly everyone’s favorite; the seared scallops with black leek and truffle sauce a close second. The 81 bedrooms are done up in dusty pinks and browns with dazzling bathrooms clad in metallic gold wallpaper designed by fashion illustrator Donald Robertson, and there’s a Joanna Vargas spa for those red-carpet moments. The newly refreshed outdoor terrace overlooking the small but beautiful pool is one of the loveliest spots—in a city with a strong alfresco game—for a breakfast of mashed avocado on sourdough with poached eggs, or simply to relax for an hour or so, taking in the spectacular views of L.A. and basking in that brilliant golden sunshine." - Krista Simmons, Celeste Moure

"How did it strike you on arrival?This Art Deco concoction rises above the palm trees of central Hollywood with a rooftop pool and sweeping city views. The 15-floor Art Deco tower first opened as an apartment building in 1929, and former residents include Howard Hughes, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Frank Sinatra. In 2004, New York-based hotelier and restaurateur Jeff Klein bought and transformed what had become a run-down hotel, putting it back on the map. Chances are good you'll spot a celeb or two, as well as deal-making movie studio execs eating avocado toast at the poolside restaurant, The Terrace. What’s the crowd like?Expect to see a mix of business and leisure travelers, mostly in the creative fields, from film to fashion, as well as local junior agents in Tod's taking morning calls and meetings in the public spaces. The good stuff: Tell us about the rooms.Among the 81 rooms and suites, there are 12 different types (from moderate queen up to the penthouse), but each has floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the city. An elegant palette of neutrals, rosewood, and brass give the rooms an Old World feel. Warm, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies at turndown are reason enough to hole up come evening. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.You'll want to linger in the limestone bathrooms, which have floor-to-ceiling windows and either deep soaking tubs or stand-alone showers. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Wi-Fi is free, and there are on-demand movies and iPhone stations in each room as well. What do we have for food and drink?If you're staying at the hotel, you'll want to tuck in at night to a burger or New York strip steak at the ground-floor, wood-paneled Tower Bar and Restaurant, housed inside Bugsy Siegel's old apartment. During the day there is no more quintessentially Hollywood place to dine than the outdoor poolside terrace, where huevos rancheros are a must. Worth noting: there's a strict no photo policy should you happen to spot a celebrity. Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?The maitre d' service has the rare ability to make celebs feel anonymous and the anonymous plebs like us feel like celebrities. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.The lounger-lined pool is an intimate escape, and the hotel is as pet-friendly as they come. Four-legged friends get mini Sunset Tower beds, and the hotel is next to a dog park." - Brooke Porter Katz