Hotel Review: The W in Los Angeles

The W hotel in Los Angeles, California has a great location, just steps away from the campus of UCLA. The W is located at 930 Hilgard Avenue in Westwood Village, a Los Angeles neighborhood filled with sidewalk cafés and vintage movie theaters. It is close to many of Los Angeles' biggest attractions, including the Sunset Strip and Mann's Chinese Theater, yet situated on a quiet residential street. Conveniently located near the 405 freeway, between Bel Air and Beverly Hills, it is nearby the world class shopping of Rodeo Drive and Melrose Avenue. If you prefer the beach over shopping, the hotel is within five miles of the Santa Monica Beach and Pier and famed Venice Beach.

Like all W hotels, the W Los Angeles has a cool vibe to it with hip music pumping through the lobby and eye-catching art work on the walls. When I visited, there was a collection of Madonna paintings hanging in the lobby, which they refer to as The Living Room. The dimly lit Living Room is filled with stylish furniture and comfortable couches. There are also a variety of board games to pass the time while you hang out, people watch, or wait for a friend.

The W Los Angeles has 258 large one and two bedroom suites which are just as stylish and comfortable as The Living Room. All rooms feature comfortable feather beds and Bliss bath products. Bliss also operates a spa within the hotel in case you should want a massage or other spa service. All rooms are wired with the latest technology, including high speed internet access, DVD players, and CD players. If you have any special requests, the W has a concierge desk which they call Whatever/Whenever. The Whatever/Whenever desk, as the name implies, is available for whatever you want, whenever you want it. They pride themselves on going the extra mile to fulfill special requests 24 hours per day 7 days a week. Throughout the hotel, the staff is very friendly and provides excellent service.

The W has a fitness room which is free for hotel guests and contains cardio machines, dumbbells, a TV, newspapers, towels, bottled water, and fresh fruit. After a good workout, the pool at the W is a great place to relax and unwind. Waiters and waitresses will bring food and beverages right to your lounge chair or private cabana. The pool at the W is very popular, so I recommend arriving early to secure a seat. If you want to dine poolside, but prefer a table to a lounge chair, there is also an outdoor bar and café area filled with tables. This area is also popular and has a great atmosphere on warm, sunny days.

Next to The Living Room is a restaurant called Nine Thirty and a bar named Whiskey Blue. Nine Thirty has a chic atmosphere and focuses on local, organic produce and fresh seafood. Whiskey Blue is a happening nightspot created by Rande Gerber. Local promoters will sometimes rent out the bar to throw private parties. During the day, the space occupied by Whiskey Blue transforms into W Café which serves breakfast, lunch, and light snacks.

The W Los Angeles is owned by Starwood, so if you stay here you can earn Starwood points. Room rates vary based on dates and availability. You can get more information on the internet at www.starwoodhotels.com or by phone at (310) 208-8765.

So, whether you are in Los Angeles to visit UCLA, to do some shopping, or to attend a movie premiere in Westwood Village, the W Los Angeles is a great hotel to stay at. Or, if you prefer, you can exercise, swim, dine, and party without ever leaving the hotel. At the W Los Angeles, you can do whatever, whenever. (As long as it's legal, of course.)