Hotel Snapshot
Ask a local Angeleno what they think of Hollywood and you’ll likely hear the same refrain New Yorkers use for Times Square: tourist playground, no soul, not where the cool kids go. Iconic? Sure. Worth a quick visit? Maybe. But hardly a neighborhood anyone romanticizes. Yet when I checked into the newly revitalized Hollywood Grande in the heart of the Vinyl District, I found a different side to this maligned pocket—one that made me wonder if places like this are simply misunderstood.
Design & Character
Formerly the Thompson Hollywood, the reimagined Autograph Collection hotel kept its bones but infused them with polished mid-century cool. Guests arrive through a soaring, leafy trellis-covered walkway that opens to an expansive lobby. Inside, lounge-worthy corners are dotted with bespoke couches and Assouline coffee-table tomes (don’t miss “Cinema on Paper”—a wink to its cinematic address). Warm timber walls wrap the space in 1970s-modern living room vibes, inviting you to linger, cocktail in hand, at the terrazzo-topped bar.
The Rooms
Spread across 11 levels, the 190 guest rooms, including 16 suites, lean into this West Coast Modernism aesthetic. Floor-to-ceiling windows give way to California sunshine spilling in each morning, and views of the Hollywood Hills, sinking in the feeling that you’re in Los Angeles after all. Velvet bed headboards, golden-hued rugs, and en suite bathrooms with Salt & Stone products. (Dare I say the sign of a good boutique hotel is based on their amenities like this? Fine, then, I said it! This one aces the test.)
Food & Drink
Upstairs at Bar Lis, the vibes are—well—vibing from the start. The hostess stand is backed by a gallery wall of Slim Aarons-esque photography: sun-kissed jet-setters, vintage black-and-white film stills, and Côte d’Azur glamour that nods to Hollywood’s Golden Age.
As for what to order, the smashed cheeseburger, spicy rigatoni vodka, and tuna tartare are always a hit. And if you’re leaning into vacation mode, finish with the vanilla ice cream sundae topped with honeycomb.
Things get lively on weekends with DJ sets on Fridays and Saturdays. Note the dress code: no flip-flops, board shorts, or floppy sun hats. Come ready to dance in something that makes you look and feel good.
For a sit-down dinner that packs flavor and fun, book a table at Ka’Teen. LA icon Chef Wes Avila channels Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula in an Aztec-inspired, jungle-chic setting. Brunch here is a scene—think “La Bloody Maria” (Lalo tequila, house tomato mix, lime, shrimp) alongside horchata French toast, flan brûlée pancakes, and huevos ahogados (poached eggs, tomato stew, queso fresco, toast).
The Amenities
Up on the pool deck, the Downtown LA skyline is your backdrop. Yellow-and-white ruffled umbrellas, loungers, and sunny West Coast vibes make it feel like a European summer escape. Order a “Mon Chéri” cocktail, kick back, and stay awhile.
Still working on that 9-to-5? The lobby lounge doubles as a chic co-working nook, with plenty of corners for calls or casual meetings. There’s also a 24-hour fitness studio if you need to sneak in a sweat.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
If you’ve checked into the Hollywood Grande, you’ve landed at what the hotel bills as “the insider’s address”—and it does feel that way. You’re in the heart of Hollywood’s Entertainment District, but the hotel acts as a cool, quiet perch above the chaos.
Skip the obvious tourist traps and lean into spots that feel more in-the-know. Start with a culture hit at Schindler House, an icon of California modernism that blends art and architecture. For an afternoon cocktail, slip into Mr. T, a Paris-imported bar with a cinematic edge. Morning calls for a stroll along the Walk of Fame—coffee in hand from Obet & Del’s, a neighborhood favorite that feels worlds away from the souvenir stands.
From here, it’s easy to branch out: West Hollywood lures with design-forward dining and nightlife, while Silver Lake and Echo Park tempt with indie coffee haunts and vinyl shops.
Fast Facts
Location: Hollywood Vinyl District, Los Angeles, CA
Vibe: A cooler, quieter perch above Hollywood’s chaos.
Rating: 4-Star
Room Count: 190
Pricing: Rooms start at $265 per night.
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The views of the Hollywood sign from the suites.
Dining: Bar Lis (rooftop cocktails and weekend DJ sets) and KA’TEEN (Chef Wes Avila’s lush, Yucatán-inspired dining room).
Amenities: Rooftop swimming pool with Downtown views, fitness center, two restaurants, two cocktail bars, 24-hour front desk, and free Wi-Fi.
Nearby Attractions: The Hollywood Walk of Fame, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, Los Angeles County Museum Of Art (LACMA), Griffith Park, Capitol Records Building
Airport: Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
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