Since we began the renovation of our house in Pasadena, Craig and I have spent a great deal of time flying back and forth from Seattle to Burbank to stay involved with the project. We are loyal to the Hyatt Hotel brand and almost always stay in one of the their properties. We believe in brand loyalty and because of this philosophy, we have been awarded a Hyatt Courtesy Card (a unique and special status) and stay over 150 nights per year in their hotels.

 

We have really enjoyed staying just 16 miles away from our Pasadena house project at the Andaz in West Hollywood, a Hyatt Hotel property, and a super cool, boutique hotel with a long and very interesting history. Since it is located on the famous and “uber hip” Sunset Strip, it was the perfect location for the rock and roll bands to stay when they were performing locally at venues like the Whiskey A Go Go and The Roxy. We are huge rock and roll fans and to just imagine if walls could talk… There are many urban legends that offer crazy stories of wild happenings in this hotel.

In the 60’s and 70’s bands like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and The Who would rent several floors at a time for their entourages. Keith Richards threw a television out the window from the 10th floor in 1972. Check out Wikipedia for more details. We had heard these stories from the staff, plus another one we thought was pretty outrageous. On New Year’s Eve 1999, Axl Rose, of Guns and Roses, was staying in the Penthouse Suite. He was “worried” because of possible problems with the millennium that people would need more food to eat. He threw steaks over the balcony wall on to the sidewalk of Sunset Boulevard! Imagine!

Hollywood Boulevard, which is a premier tourist attraction, is just around the corner from the Andaz. Grauman’s Chinese Theater, The Dolby Theater, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, and Hollywood Walk of Fame are easily accessible for the tourists who travel here from all over the world. We stayed in Hollywood the weekend of The Oscars and the excitement in the air was palpable.

Because of our Courtesy Card status we are usually upgraded to a fairly large corner suite with a long high top chrome and marble dining table, sleek living room with modern lamps and leather couches. Since the days of the Riot Hyatt, all of the balconies have been enclosed for safety reasons and have become sunroom seating areas that almost float over Sunset Boulevard. The views of downtown Los Angeles in the distance are stunning.

 

But during this particular stay, dreams do come true… we were upgraded to the Penthouse Suite on the top floor, with breathtaking views of The Sunset Strip, city lights, Hollywood and most of Los Angeles. We could view all of the action happening in the Hollywood Hills from the large, private, teak-floored balcony. This unique 1,400-square-foot suite offers a separate bedroom with king-sized bed, private dining area, wet bar and wine refrigerator, living room, two flat screen TV’s, a fantastic sound system and an additional small marble bathroom. The master bathroom has an enormous marble rain shower and soaking tub with 180 degree breathtaking views!

 

There is not a hotel in Los Angeles that offers these extraordinary views. The lobby is a sleek design with unique modern art hanging on the walls and enormous, unusual (but cool) sculptures that are set in many locations. Although the hotel seems rather adult, interestingly enough, there are lots of families that stay here. The hotel has a european vibe as well and therefore draws lots of guests from across the pond. Now that the Century Plaza is closed, this is the only luxury Los Angeles Hyatt Hotel (which is a shame), but true nevertheless. This property is not for the type of traveler who must have complete quiet and stillness. Hollywood never sleeps and that is part of the attraction. When you stay at the Andaz, you feel like you are smack in the middle of the action.

The Penthouse Suite

 

The views are unparalleled

 

 

 

 

 

We have stayed at the Andaz West Hollywood at least twice a month for the past eight months. The staff is incredibly friendly, the food is outstanding and the location is second to none. I will always appreciate the great care they have given us! We will be moving in to our house next month, but we will come back to visit!

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Suzanne