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Sunset Tower Hotel
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
8358 W Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 654-5381
8358 W Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 654-5381
- Price Range:
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$$$
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18 reviews for Sunset Tower Hotel
i'm one of those annoying new yorkers who doesn't drive, so the sunset tower is perfect for me. i've walked 1 mile down sunset to do pilates at studio darien (highly recommended) and I've walked over to robertson and to melrose to do shopping.
i also like the sunset tower because it's definitely a hotel for adults. a lot of new yorkers and euros stay there. the new yorkers are generally annoying advertising types who talk on their cellphones too loudly and conduct low level "look at meeee" lunch meetings by the pool, the euros are chilling and the angelenos who dine there are all low key industry types. the first time i stayed there these three TACKY mallgirls staked themselves out at the pool and someone immediately went over to them and asked for their room key. the girls claimed that the argyle salon told them that entry to the pool area was included in the price of their services (a blatant lie) and they were allowed to stay. but i'm sure if i complained that they were disruptive (they were kinda annoying) they would have been asked to leave.
service here is very helpful and respectful when i stayed in the full suite i had a problem getting the dvd player to work- someone showed up within 5 minutes, to help me out. i imagine the concierge people at the hotel could basically hook you up with anything, but i haven't really asked them for much. i did ask them to make me weekday reservations for lunch at madeo, just because i thought it would be good, touristy fun to have them call for me.
amenities are also amazing. unlimited kiehls products, beautiful linens and robes and fresh cookies delivered to your room each night.
oh yeah, and the salon... the salon is not officially a part of the hotel, but you get a 20 percent discount on all services if you're a guest, plus a free hammam shower. the discount helps keep the prices down, so you wind up getting a good deal as a guest. services are excellent.
here's a little secret- if you book directly on the website and it's not a busy time you will most likely automatically receive an upgrade. the first time i stayed there i booked a king room and got upgraded to a junior suite, overlooking the cute dog park and sunset boulevard. the next time i booked a junior suite and they gave me a full suite. i actually preferred the junior suite, because its little sitting area had better character.
i looooove this hotel. this is where i'm staying any time i'm in la and not staying at a friend's.
This is a "hit-and-run" review: I was in town for less than twenty-four hours and chose the Sunset Tower for it's location and price. (Get the Expedia deal and score a room for $199/night).
Yes, I got a cheap deal on Expedia...so I got one of their cheapest rooms. Nicely decorated, but a bit frayed around the edges. Cracked tiles in the bathroom, tiny room, noisy location facing Sunset. Even though the room was tiny the bathroom was spacious. You get a flat screen TV and iPod docking station and luxury toiletries.
Since I was "in and out" I can't attest to any of the other amenities such as the pool, gym, etc.
Oh: the real pisser - not being told about the $35 dollar per night valet fee. That's something I really think should be disclosed up front, not when you're checking out. Puh-leeeze.
Beautiful, iconic historical aspect aside.....the hotel's not that great.
*Rooms are TINY.....I got the next level up from the basic room, which was one king bed, which left about two feet of room around it. Upside, the beds were comfy and they had an ipod alarm clock. But, definitely not worth the cost.
*Staff at the front desk were pleasant, but that experience was crushed by the oh so rude and snobby VALET! The guys made snide remarks and gave horrible looks to myself and friends. If this had happened once, I would've brushed it off but it happened at arrival, coming and going and at departure. Note to valet staff: You're f-ing valet staff, buddies, not leading men in Hollywood!!
*Location, location....the only reason why they can charge these rates for mediocrity.
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I arrived to Sunset Tower a little upset as I'd been bumped from Chateau Marmont due to overbooking.
The staff was sooooo nice, from the valet guys, front desk staff and manager, to the poolside wait staff.
We got a room with a balcony that overlooked Sunset and the hills... It was also a corner room which is fun because the windows there are rounded and floor to ceiling. I lost a bet to my friend I was staying there with and had to do a bra and panty dance in front of said windows during prime nightlife hour.
The "lawn chairs" that line the pool are more like a very comfortable bed, but the pool is FREEZING! That was my biggest disappointment. The view was pretty sweet.
I am glad I got to check this place out.... but I prefer Chateau Marmont, hands down.
Five stars to the hotel itself...it's a landmark, incredibly gorgeous, and romantic to boot. I'd say four stars for events however...
The pool area is lovely as is the bar...drinks (the mixed varietals) are on the pricey side to match the decor (about $17 a pop...at least for a mint julep!)...and the terrace boasts a remarkable view of the city, especially at sunset. You'll feel like you were blasted back in time to the 30's when Hollywood was, well, sexy.
I've been here a few times for various things (and when the hotel was the Argyle) but have yet to stay the night so I can't attest to the comfort of the beds, etc., but the rooms are quite nice and have a richness about them...
The bar is wonderful to come with friends for a cocktail and a night out on the town...or even for dinner with a date.
When I came for a New Year's celebration I was let down, but I have to say that it was most likely the promoter's fault and less that of the hotel's. It was so overcrowded and they didn't provide enough food for all of the guests even though it was all-inclusive. I even got stuck in one of the hotel stairwells AT midnight on account that the hotel would no allow people into certain rooms due to capacity. So while I commend them for sticking to fire code, I knock them a little for forcing me to hear the goofy guy behind me countdown from 10 with anticipation while I tried to scramble to my friends. Way to ring in the New Year! lol
I've also been for a wedding...and it was lovely...I wouldn't recommend the hotel for a wedding party of more than say, 50, however. It gets crowded and there is only so much space for both a ceremony AND for dinner. Other than that though...the Sunset Tower offers a very intimate location for nuptials...and the pool at sunset...divine.
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And it makes a guest appearance in my video here:
http://www.warrenellis...
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/15/2008
If ever a rich man gave me a nigh-infinite expense account to enjoy, this would certainly be my… Read more »
I think the building and architecture here are gorgeous, but the hotel stay was very bland. We stayed here a few years ago when it was the Argyle, for my DH's birthday. The hotel was under construction and the lobby was small, the elevators slow, we had asked for an extra rollout bed on check in and by the time we came back from dinner AND partying, the extra bed was still not there and we had to call AGAIN. The room itself was gorgeous, but not that big, we had a great view, but sadly then, the pool was also being worked on and closed. The louvre windows in the room were a bit of trip, I'm sure they are not 100% safe around drunks! The bathroom was also quite small and overall the interior decor was spartan. It's a convenient place to stay if you're going out on the Sunset Strip, but overall I don't think I'd stay here again. I really liked Le Montrose a lot more.
If you must stay here (as in Sunset Boulevard), you must stay here (as in this hotel). Yes, maybe countless celebs once lived here, but these days you can get a piece of the celebrity lifestyle by staying in these glam digs for a few days. They decorated the rooms in an art deco style. For us, they left us C.O. Bigelow products in the bathroom. And they had an IPod station with speakers and an alarm clock in the room (also, leaving us a little note that if we "left our IPod at home" we could request one downstairs).
We were running into celebs all over the place at our hotel. And when we went to the downstairs dining area, it was one of the most elegant, low-key places to hang out at in the whole Boulevard. I would stay here again.
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Landmark Deco building that once housed names like Gabor, Powell, Flynn, etc. During the entire 70's and half of the 80's it was a boarded up mess, perfect for neighborhood kids such as myself to break in and strafe the pool with some skateboarding.
Watching it transform was exciting. It reopened as the St. James Club, a very tony membership for travelers to London, Barbados and L.A. . Then it became The Argyle.
As the Sunset Tower, two things were done SO right. First, bringing in Demetri and his front of house skills to its restaurant by taking him away from Bel Age, was absolutely brilliant. Beyond this, the rooms are incredible.
If seeking the entire L.A. experience, staying here is a very good start indeed.
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An elegant upgraded hotel, the Sunset Tower Hotel, is juxtaposed the hipster Standard Hotel. It is a hybrid modern minimalist with an old school Hollywood touch. The modern finishings coexist with the old, as in some light fixtures and pictures of Dietrich, Monroe and Garbo in the walls. The staff is uber professional, discreet, polite ... and amazingly all GQ looking... just gorgeous men. It made me think I was in a high end gay hotel, but it was confirmed that most of the staff are actors in the making just simply trying to make a living.
An immediate fivestar for upgrading my Guestroom reservation into a Suite with two flat screens, an iPOD docking station, a gorgeous view, fantastic bathroom and shower, free wireless internet access, and impeccable service. The bathroom amenities were KIEHL! .. yum, yum and yum!
The gym was a treat! I could not help myself, I indulged for another 2 hour of workout (even if I had a prior 5:30am 4 mile run in my earlier business hotel). Each treadmill had an onscreen personal TV while the nautilus and weights equipments were all new and shiny.
I spent a wonderful Friday afternoon unwinding from a week of geek training, enjoying my suite, wrapping up on emails, and prepping up for a night out in LA-LA-land.
Here I sit at LAX, wishing I was back in my room at Sunset Tower...at least it isn't winter back home in Milwaukee or I might find myself walking out of here.
STH is my favorite hotel anywhere...Chicago...Miami...LA...this really was a great place!
And I only happened upon it by chance of this great network of friends on Yelp!
Everyone from the valet team to the bellmen to the front desk staff to housekeeping is top notch and dedicated to ensuring your stay is to your satisfaction--AND MORE.
One of the stars of the staff is Johanna at the front desk!
You'll find that each and every time you leave or return to the hotel you are greeted by no less than two staff members...a nice touch are the fresh flowers next to the elevator!
A great spa (Argyle) is located downstairs from the elevators--CHECK IT OUT!
The pool here is NICE but nothing to rave on and on about...a bit small, limited seating for about ten in the sun...a patio is adjacent to eat breakfast and lunch...but service was a bit complacent during the afternoon and could use some improvement in attentiveness.
Rooms are VERY COMFORTABLE. Beds are the best...nice and soft and very fresh. Bathrooms are very nice, particularly in the larger suites--LARGE walk-in showers big enough for 4, if you're into that kind of thing!
Housekeeping is SUPER! Just be on notice that they come in and out throughout the day servicing the room--from the cleaning to minibar service to delivering fresh afternoon fruit to turndown, which includes YUMMY COOKIES on the bedside table!!!
A few tips: try to get a suite that is on the backside of the building...if you're on Sunset directly you WILL hear the annoying Saddle Ranch rowdiness at night (and sometimes during the day too!) and it will be a bother. Also, if you're renting a car and want a backdoor to VIP parking rent something HUGE--we had an Expedition and it was too tall for the garage so we found our car parked right at the front door 95% of the time...kinda cool.
Within walking distance...try Pizza Rustica for a bite anytime...its less than a block to the left out the front door...also, right across the street is Starbucks...The Standard Hotel is located less than a block to the right out the front door and has a 24/7 restaurant! (Though I don't recommend The Standard itself...a bit rundown).
And, if you have a dog, Sunset Tower allows them and there's a GREAT dogpark right downstairs! Hart Park. Check it out! (Just to the right outside the front door and down the stairs to the park--the front desk staff can direct you).
STAY HERE. You won't be disappointed.
For Thanksgiving the Colonel wanted to get away from his place so he invited me and his friend Wendy to dine at the Tower Bar. Having already eaten a home cook meal, I decided just to get dessert. But the place is great, a wonderful view of Hollywood and it had a very nostalgic feel to the whole experience.
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If I could go lower on this rating I would. Charming website suggests that you can enjoy your lovely afternoon here by the glorious pool and then traipse up to your fantastic retro room to get ready at a leisurely pace while appreciating the luxury surrounding you. UM NO!!! A) Hotel is under construction, B) Pool was not even comparable to that at local YMCA, C) Manager stauchly refused to accomodate us in any way due to our dissapointment, D) Ice machines broken, E) PHONE IN ROOM NOT OPERATIONAL. I actually spent my stay hanging out at the Standard next door....where the rooms were cheaper. Now that I have egg on my face for this huge mistaken, you don't need to.
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i have a better opinon of this than Claire. I stayed here and it was fine for the money. In fact, I would argue that it's an okay option if you're on a budget. The rooms are okay; the staff is lovely. The only issue I have is that the place is haunted. If you believe in that kind of thing...
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Great location! The rooms were amazing. The pool is nice to lay at during the day, comfy lounge chairs too! The staff here was SO nice, and we were treated very well with respect and courtesy. Plus, they allow dogs- thats a plus! Plus there is a nice dog park right next door... and if you need a slice of pizza, there is one right next door (more or less). The salon/spa was also great. I'd def recommend this place:)
Recently stayed here in December 2006, there were 6 of us staying here for a work function. I had the best room out of everyone. I had a super cool retro 1 bedroom suite. Don't know how I swung that but all the other rooms were similar to what is pictured on the web site just not as new and fresh. The room was on the 6th floor, it was a throw back to the art deco period only newer. I would recommend this hotel it was fun hip and centrally located on the Sunset Strip. The staff was nice and accommodating. The room service at breakfast time takes about 45 - 1 hour even if they quote you 30 mins. I can see how it might disappoint if you get a regular room.
I was here the past weekend for a birthday party held in one of the ballrooms. The party was fully catered and had a bar; the bartender was polite and made good drinks. The food was great too. After partying the night away, we stayed in a suite on the 11th floor with a great view of Los Angeles. The room was decorated well and had several pieces of furniture to make it more accommodating. But other than that, I had a great time here and would want to stay here again.
aw i loved it for its historical charm, and thankfully that didn't come at the expense of its upkeep or cleanliness. rooms are a bit small, but the suites have nice views and beautiful bathrooms. the staff really do their best to make your stay pleasant and try to fulfill all of your needs.
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