Holiday Inn Burbank

A step above the typical Holiday Inn, this Burbank outpost is surprisingly elegant. The large lobby has a posh vibe, with brown-plank laminate floors that blend nicely with the traditional-style armchairs and couches. Light tile frames the front desk and a fireplace in the corner, which serves as the backdrop to one of many cozy seating areas that are spread out to create quiet nooks for casual conversation or business meetings. Two silvery chandeliers hang from recessed ceilings, adding a modern touch to the traditional seating. A garden with a waterfall that cascades into a koi-filled pool provides a relaxing retreat. With a business center, thousands of feet of meeting space, and proximity to several Southern California sights, the hotel draws business travelers and tourists in equal numbers -- expect to see business suits and Bermuda shorts alike.

This Holiday Inn is located in downtown Burbank, a couple of minutes off I-5, with several restaurants within a five-minute walk. An AMC theater complex and a mall with several shops and more restaurants is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The Burbank Bob Hope Airport is a 10-minute drive, and LAX is about a 40-minute drive, depending on traffic. The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Brothers Studios, and Universal Studios are 11 to 17 minutes away by car. Old Pasadena (home of the Rose Bowl) and Dodger Stadium are about a 20-minute drive away.

While there's nothing remarkable about their decor, the Holiday Inn Burbank's 485 rooms stand out for their size -- even the standard King and Double-Queen Rooms. Suites are bigger and include kitchenettes with wet bars, sleeper sofas, and separate living rooms. Earth-toned colors dominate: Beige walls, drapes, and padded headboards contrast with burnt orange accent walls. The patterned carpet is muted green and gold, and the abstract artwork mirrors that color palette. Reddish-brown wood furniture mixes with handsome, polished steel fixtures. Bathrooms have wood vanities with granite tops and beige tiling framing the shower/tub combos. All rooms have microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, free Wi-Fi, and flat screen TVs. Rooms on higher floors can offer excellent mountain or city views. Lower-floor rooms pick up some street noise.

With more than 16,500 square feet of meeting space and a large business center, the Holiday Inn Burbank is long on business amenities. But it also hosts events, and its lovely landscaped garden area with a pond is often used for weddings. The on-site People’s Choice Restaurant offers a hot buffet and a la carte menu for breakfast (not included in all rates), and also serves lunch and dinner. Two lounges include the 18th floor Crystal View Lounge, with sweeping views of the city, and the Casting Call Lounge with live entertainment. Food, drinks, sundries, and souvenirs can be found at the Holiday Inn's gift shop, and vending machines are also on hand to provide snacks. Active guests can make use of the fitness center, which offers a solid lineup of equipment from free weights to treadmills. Guests can also swim or simply sunbathe at the hotel's outdoor heated pool, though it’s small for a hotel of this size. Valet dry cleaning and laundry is available, and there's a guest laundry room on site. Other perks include free Wi-Fi, a video arcade, an on-site ATM, and a safe-deposit box. Paid parking is available in an underground garage, and the hotel offers free shuttle service to Burbank Bob Hope Airport.