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The Thomson Hollywood opened its doors a little over two weeks ago so in between the meetings and endless zoom calls that seem to have taken over my life, I took the opportunity to take a walk to Hyatt’s latest Los Angeles property to see what it was like.
The middle of a pandemic didn’t seem to be an appropriate time to ask to see the inside of a room that had been sanitized ready for its next occupant and I didn’t have much interest in getting photos of a room that was yet to be cleaned, so I apologize for not being able to show you what a standard Thompson Hollywood king-size room looks like.
What I can offer you, however, are pictures of the lobby/lobby bar, the rooftop pool, the rooftop lounge, and pictures of some of the views from the top of the hotel.
The Location
The Thompson Hollywood is located at 1541 Wilcox Avenue in Hollywood California.
That puts the property within a short walk of the W Hollywood and the Kimpton Everly and within walking distance of most of what Hollywood has to offer.
I confess that this isn’t a part of Los Angeles that I find particularly attractive, but then I don’t think that the area is attempting to appeal to people like me.
The Hotel & Entry
The Lobby & Lobby Bar
The Rooftop Pool (11th Floor)
The Rooftop Lounge (Adjacent To The Pool)
The Views From The Rooftop
Quick Thoughts
A few weeks before the Thompson Hollywood opened I called it out for levying an indefensible “destination fee” on most cash bookings (World of Hyatt Globalists do not have to pay the destination fee on most cash bookings and all World of Hyatt members get a pass on the destination fee on award bookings) so the property didn’t make a good impression on me before its doors opened.
Now that I’ve seen the property (well, some of the property), I’m still very unimpressed with the destination fee, but I was impressed with the staff members that I met (all were very pleasant) and the overall feel of the property. With the caveat that I didn’t see a bedroom and that I didn’t get to see the main restaurant (because it wasn’t open during my visit), the property felt like a boutique hotel and not like one of the many cookie-cutter properties we see all over the US and I can see why it may be attractive to some.
I worry that once the pandemic is over and that visitor numbers rise (the Thompson has 190 rooms), the lobby bar may feel a little too busy and the pool a little too crowded during peak times, and I worry that some of the rooms may feel a little small compared to other options in the area (the rooms at the Thompson start at 261 sqft), but these are all worries that one can have with a lot of city-based boutique and boutique-style hotels so I’m not sure it’s fair to highlight these as issues that face the Thompson specifically.
Anyone considering booking the Thompson should be aware of these potential issues but I don’t think that they should put people off (the destination fee – if you have to pay it – should do that).
Bottom Line
I’m not about to offer a comprehensive conclusion on the Thompson Hollywood because without having seen the inside of a bedroom or even the main restaurant that would be a ridiculous thing to do. What I will say, however, is that I like the feel of the property, I hate the destination fee, I like the rooftop pool and the views, and I like the attitude of the staff which whom I interacted.
Personally (and assuming I didn’t already have a place in LA), I would never visit the Thompson if I had to pay the destination fee (because it’s abhorrent), but I’d consider visiting for a short stay to see just how much of a boutique hotel it really is if the destination fee was waived.
Do any readers have plans to visit the Thompson Hollywood?
I’m with you. Destination or resort fee and I’ll find somewhere else to stay. Parking fees are rapidly getting there, especially for baseline properties with big lots and no reason for the charge.
Oh, pls !! Ever since they become World of Effin Hyatt – they pretty much nickel and dime you for everything! They now charged for early check in, $50.00 and late check – out. What used to be free. Also, city tax, county tax and state tax. Exuberant fees you may ask?
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