I drove down Hollywood Boulevard, past the historic Chinese Theatre and The Roosevelt. The sun was setting and the sky was an elegant pink, flooded with streaks of golden light. Through the gaps between the buildings I could see the Hollywood sign, sitting serenely in the hillside, watching over the magical city.
Suddenly, something familiar caught my eye. A red ‘W’ glittered in the distance. I pulled up beside it and swung my legs out of the car. Beneath my feet and for as far as the eye could see, the stars on the Walk of Fame glistened in the fading sunlight. Anything and everything felt possible, this was the Hollywood that everyone dreams about.
I have stayed at the W Hotel Hollywood many times over the years and each visit has been more pleasurable than the last. It is fundamental to understand that the W is not necessarily a place for tranquility, especially in the evenings and on weekends. It is a place to throw caution to the wind, forget your troubles and just have a damn good time.
When it comes to places to drink, dine and socialize, guests are truly spoilt for choice. The Living Room is based in the glamorous hotel lobby, beside the sweeping red staircase that the hotel is so famous for. It is also home to one of the best burgers I have ever had.
Sunday Jazz Nights are incredibly popular and The Living Room is always filled with dapper men and glamorous women. One particular Sunday, I actually saw Stevie Wonder take to the stage and deliver a spontaneous yet phenomenal performance. It was utterly surreal but oh so Hollywood.
The Station is located outside, adjacent to The living Room. You can watch classic black and white films on a small projector for movies or listen to live music from the stage. If that all sounds too distracting, you can just relax in a luxurious lounge chair with a cocktail, beside the roaring open fires and look up at the stars.
The hotel’s crowning glory is Wet, the spectacular rooftop pool area. By day it is a sunshine-drenched haven where you can lie in a cabana or in the azure pool and listen to house music. Beautiful and friendly waitresses bring round after round of fruit-infused water or delectable cocktails. Food is also available throughout the day and I cannot recommend the Mango sorbet highly enough.
By night it transforms into Drais, one of the most hedonistic nightclubs in the whole of Hollywood. Equally beautifully girls in glittery prom dresses dance on podiums, dance music thumps from the DJ Booth and everyone parties under the stars until the early hours of the morning.
For those who are interested in that kind of thing, Drais is a playground for celebrities. Over the years I have spotted dozens; from Rihanna to Kim Kardashian.
The W Hotel Hollywood is undeniably glamourous and high-octane but what keeps me coming back time after time is the incredible service. The waitresses in particular are some of the kindest and most beautiful I have ever encountered.
One waitress overheard my boyfriend and I discussing where to go for a weekend to escape the city. After she had clocked off for the night, she sat with us and spent half an hour recommending her favourite destinations. The next day she had a list sent up to our room of places that she thought of overnight.
In the past, we have stayed in a ‘Fantastic’ suite. The suite is spectacular and its wraparound windows offers beautiful panoramic views of the city and the Hollywood sign. I would spend most nights curled up, staring out at the glittering lights of Hollywood.
The highlight of the room is always the W’s signature European-style platform bed. The bed is made with sumptuous 350-thread-count sheets and goose down pillows, I literally felt as though I was sleeping on a cloud.
The W Hotel Hollywood literally has it all; from great live music to delicious restaurants and one of the best rooftop pools I have ever had the pleasure of visiting.
So, if you are visiting the City of Angels and looking for a place to let your hair down, visit W Hotel Hollywood, the shining star on the Hollywood Boulevard.
W Hollywood Hotel
323-798-1300
6250 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, 90028
