Hollywood Downtowner Inn - Los Angeles, USA     

There has been enought said about this motel to give people a good idea of what it has to offer. It, like so many old motels across this land, has been bought by a very nice family who is trying to attain the American dream thru lots of hard work. But that being said, it's still an old motel that comes up short in lots of ways. If my wife and I had had one of the great rooms some people talk about here, and if the pool - which is supposed to be it's best feature - were open, and if we just felt like we were experiencing something cool and offbeat rather than rattty, then we could give it a good recommendation. But the bottom line is the place is just not repaired enough. Notice I didn't say maintained enought because that would imply they started with something good and have been trying to keep it up. The place needs structural remodeling that a few planters of flowers hanging from the balcony railings and a clean pool can't overcome. I'll do a 36O degree description of our room. 1) A big hole (fist sized) in wall from the room door handle hitting it filled with a paper cup 2) a leaky aluminum slider window that looked out onto a chair and community ashtry on the walkway which let cigarette smoke into our room, 3) a chair seat cusion with a big old stain on it (flip it over and there was a tear), 4) a built in vanity with a different sized (too small) drawer that looked like an afterthought of an afterthough, 5) a crank handle casement window in the bathroom that could not get the window closed, 6) a shower whose old fixtures had been taken out and replaced with new fixtures, but which left hole in the tile where the previous fixtures had been 7) an inoperative bathroom fan, 8) a toilet that barely flushed 9) a complimentary tray with coffee maker and coffees- with no place to plug the coffee maker in except on the floor, 10) a TV remote that couldn't change the channels, 11) and last but not least - dirty sheets. Believe me, I like 'funky' hotels that have personality. And I can usually overlook some of the deficiencies. And who spends much time in their room when in Hollywood? But this was a big disappointment for us. When they finally do some real structural repair, not just cosmetic 'remodeling', then we may come back. But for now I'd tell people either spend the extra money for a newer/nicer motel, or set your expectations at the 'man this is going to be a great place to have our fraternity bros meet us at' level of vacationing. BTW: Saw 'Wicked' at the Pantages and 'Indiana Jones' at the Cinerama Dome. Bad hotel not withstanding, still a great trip.

We stayed at the Hollywood Downtowner for our entire week long holiday in LA. And had it not been for the location of the hotel, we would have had a difficult time getting around. No one walks in LA. Even the Sunset Strip people drive. The hotel was definatly dated, and our room had a funky stale/damp smell to it, but after a couple of days we didn't even notice. The area of the hotel is not the greatest of neighborhoods, but if you know that going there, then its not a surprise. The managment were very nice, and let us check in quite early as our flight got in before noon. We had fresh towels every morning, and our beds were made up every day. The breakfast was pretty simple, but the donuts were very tasty. There is the Metro station under 2 blocks away, a Ralph's grocery store and a Starbucks on the corner as well. Hollywood Blvd's Walk-of-Fame is within walking distance, but we didn't like having to walk so far back when the sun set. Take the Metro, 2 stops and you're in the heart of Hollywood. For the price and location this hotel is fantastic. We didn't use the pool, but it was well used while we were there. I will for sure be staying there again on my next visit to LA.