ANDAZ WEST HOLLYWOOD
CRITIQUE MY STAY RATING: 8/10
AVG. NIGHTLY RATE: $250
The Andaz West Hollywood, a Hyatt property, is a Los Angeles hotel with a lot of history. Formerly called the Hyatt House, the hotel was commonly referred to as the “Riot House” because legendary rockers like the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Duran Duran used to stay and party at the property. Luckily, the hotel has gone through renovations since then, but it remains an iconic property that celebrates its rock and roll history.
LOCATION
9/10
The Andaz West Hollywood is situated on the famous Sunset Strip, in walking distance of plenty of bars and restaurants. It is also a relatively short walk away from Santa Monica Boulevard which is a lively area that features many businesses owned by reality TV stars and a number of LGBTQ+ bars and eateries. Given West Hollywood’s prime location directly in between Beverly Hills and Hollywood, the Andaz West Hollywood’s location makes it a great time for tourists that want to take part in the activities that those two neighborhoods have to offer, without staying in overpriced, high tourist traffic areas. The hotel is about a 45 minute drive from both LAX and Burbank airports.
AMENITIES
9/10
GYM - 8.5/10
The Andaz West Hollywood Gym is a relatively well-equipped fitness center that overlooks the Sunset Strip. The gym offers high end Life Fitness cardio and strength machines, three Peloton bikes, free weights, yoga mats, and some other equipment. The gym is open 24 hours a day and does have towels and water.
SPA
There is no spa at the Andaz West Hollywood.
POOL - 8.5/10
The rooftop pool at the Andaz is probably more about the space than about the pool itself. While the pool is certainly nice, it isn’t the largest or most beautiful pool but the rooftop deck is pretty great. There is a bar that serves drinks and some comfortable lounge chairs and outdoor furniture that allow you to comfortably lay out and enjoy the LA sun. With great views of the Hollywood Hills and the Los Angeles skyline, you’ll definitely want to block out some time to spend on the hotel’s rooftop, whether you go for a swim or not.
OTHER
The Andaz West Hollywood is a pet-friendly hotel with fast WiFi and a complimentary 'wine hour' every evening in the hotel lobby. There is also a nice selection of free snacks throughout the day, something unique to this Andaz property that is a really nice touch.
ROOM
7/10
We booked a 1 King Bed room, the hotel’s standard room, and were upgraded to a 1 King Bed Hollywood Hills View room, which is the same sized room but with a very nice view of Los Angeles. The room was relatively spacious and had stylish, but slightly worn, furniture. The best part of the room was the small sunroom area with a couple of lounge chairs and beautiful city views. The room also had a large desk, a king-sized bed, multiple full-length mirrors, and a large flat-screen TV. The lowlights of the room were the carpet, which felt old and not cute, and the bathroom, which was small and did not feel very high end. The bathroom had a walk-in shower that did not have a door closure and a single sink.
BREAKFAST
9/10
The hotel’s Riot House restaurant, located on the ground floor, serves an a la carte breakfast each morning. It offers a variety of mouthwatering options like breakfast burritos and sandwiches, omelets, avocado toast, and more. The quality of the food is very good and the service is excellent. Breakfast is included for Hyatt Globalists and may be included in some bookings. We highly recommend the delicious breakfast burrito and the blueberry smoothie.
RESTAURANTS NEARBY
If you’re looking for good food in walking distance, here are some Eat My Critique approved options:
Tocaya (13 minute walk) - It’s like a fast food LA meets Mexico spot.
Bottega Louie (30 minute walk) - An amazing breakfast, brunch, or lunch spot.
Laurel Hardware (20 minute walk) - Modern fare in a really cool setting.
If you are looking for good food that’s worth the drive, here are some options:
Mes Amis (10 minute drive) - Sophisticated, yet cool, French eatery.
Saffy’s (20 minute drive) - High end Middle Eastern food that is really delicious.
Antico Nuovo (20 minute drive) - Amazing Italian spot.
To check out all of the Eat My Critique reviews from Los Angeles, click here.
THINGS TO DO
Los Angeles offers a diverse range of activities and attractions for visitors. Here are some things you can do:
Rodeo Drive (10 minute drive) - Go shopping or simply window shop along the famous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, known for its luxury shops and boutiques.
Hollywood Bowl (15 minute drive) - A world-renowned outdoor amphitheater located in the Hollywood Hills. known as one of the most famous and historic concert venues in the world. See if there is anything playing during your time in LA.
Hollywood Walk of Fame (15 minute drive) - If you came to LA to see the Hollywood related sights, you’ll want to take a trip to the Walk of Fame where you can also visit the Chinese Theater.
Getty Museum (18 minute drive) - Explore art collections, architecture, and gardens at this beautiful museum.
The Broad (18 minute drive) - Explore contemporary art at The Broad, one of city’s newest and hottest museums located in downton LA.
Santa Monica (23 minute drive) - Check out this popular beach spot and waterfront neighborhood that is home to the Santa Monica Pier and lots of shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes.
VERDICT
The standard rooms at the Andaz West Hollywood could use some updating but the hotel’s location, amenities, and breakfast make the hotel a really great place to stay on a trip to Los Angeles. We will continue to keep this hotel in our LA rotation,