Dream Hollywood

The first West Coast outpost of the upmarket Dream Hotels chain (which already has locations in places like the Maldives, New York City, and Thailand), this property attracts well-heeled travelers, hip locals, and celebrities alike with its high-profile restaurants and bars. Its location, within walking distance of Hollywood’s top attractions, makes it an ideal base for tourists. That said, most guests at Dream Hollywood are here to see-and-be-seen rather than sightsee. Looks here are part of the draw, starting with the hotel's mod cutout facade perched on top of a redbrick ground floor. Inside, the lobby is a study of creamy whites with mid-century-style seating backed by a tangle of bright-green plants dangling from second-floor planters. An L-shaped bar in white marble caps off one of the lobby's corners. Toward the rear sits the front desk, done up in multifaceted wood paneling. A garden-path-like pedestrian alley to the side of the lobby provides access to several of the scene-y restaurants and bars. Guest here are a mix of leisure and business travelers, but almost everyone is young, fashionable, and eager to be in the center of the action. Still, the vibe is relatively laid-back, particularly in the daytime hours as the hotel gears up for  its nightlife scene, and guests can be found lounging by the pool, squeezing in a gym workout, or sipping on a drink before the local crowd arrives.

As the name suggests, Dream Hollywood is set in the heart of the Hollywood neighborhood, one block south of busy Hollywood Boulevard. This is a recently revitalized area that’s now home to hot restaurants, bars, and shops. That said, this neighborhood does still have a bit of grittiness and a homeless population (like much of Los Angeles). It’s within easy reach of Hollywood’s main attractions, with the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Capitol Records Tower, and TCL Chinese Theater all within a 15-minute walking radius.The Hollywood/Vine metro line stop is just under a 10-minute walk away, providing public transportation links to more far flung areas like Downtown L.A. and Santa Monica. Other sights can be reached in a short drive, such as the Griffith Observatory (15 minutes) or The Grove (16 minutes), depending on traffic. Los Angeles International Airport is about a 40-minute drive away or it can be reached in roughly the same time by public transit. 

Guest rooms and suites are truly a highlight of the Dream Hollywood. They're stylish and bright, decorated with plush textiles and stuffed full of handsome mid-century details. A muted color palette of steely grays, blues, and greens complement black-walnut moldings. Details like rectangular pendant lanterns by the bedside add a final flourish. In-room amenities also reflect the hotel's pearl status. Techie features include 55-inch smart TVs, iPads, and free Wi-Fi. Gleaming minibars are stocked with full-size liquor bottles, wine, beer, and cool snacks like Sugarfina candies. But the floor-to-ceiling windows could be the rooms' best amenity. They overlook the Hollywood Hills and downtown Los Angeles, with some room categories offering balconies to take it all in. At 300-square-feet, standard room categories are on the small side, but all have compact sitting areas. Pricier rooms offer more space and add extras like work desks, with suites featuring separate living areas. Polished bathrooms have walk-in showers with rainfall heads and posh C.O. Bigelow bath products. Cozy bathrobes, slippers, hairdryers, and magnifying mirrors are also standard. Some bathrooms have peekaboo windows into the bedroom, but curtains can be drawn for privacy.Given the hotel's party scene, it won't be a surprise that some guests complain that noise from the hotel’s numerous nightlife venues can be a problem. Light sleepers (or early-to-bed travelers) should pack earplugs and request rooms away from the action.

Dream Hollywood’s features cater toward its young, stylish clientele, particularly those looking to join the nightlife scene, starting with the glamorous Highlight Room. It's an 11,000 square-foot rooftop space with an outdoor pool, lounge, and grill. The pool itself is sleek but modestly sized; the real draw here is the space’s dramatic 360-degree views of the Los Angeles skyline. Guests can admire the vista from cushy loungers and luxurious cabanas, while two bars and a grill serve up cocktails and light Californian fare throughout the day. At night, the pool converts into a dance floor as the whole space transforms into a nightlife venue.    In addition to The Highlight Room, Dream Hollywood is home to four other dining venues. There’s the first West Coast location of Tao Asian Bistro (which also has locations in New York and Las Vegas). Specializing in a mix of Thai, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine, the restaurant’s ritzy subterranean space features a barrel-vault ceiling and a dramatic Guanyin sculpture with eye-catching animations.Other restaurants include Beauty & Essex, which serves up inventive cuisine in an elegant 10,000-square-foot space with a 20-foot skylight; and Luchini Pizzeria & Bar, a more casual spot that offers New York-style pizzas, salads, and burgers. Lastly, there’s Avenue, a swanky nightclub with indoor and outdoor dance spaces. The hotel’s venues can all be booked for events, with some featuring private dining areas. Room service is available 24/7.Not to be outdone, the hotel’s 24-hour gym has an equally remarkable look and pedigree. The trendy, 1,000-square-foot space, designed by celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson, features state-of-the-art cardio and weight-lifting equipment, including Avanti Cardiogym C6 machines. Guests also have free access to the hotel’s Lincoln Continental and the Lincoln Navigator car service. There is valet service, but no self-parking. Pet-friendly rooms are offered, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout.