Review: Dream Hollywood (California)

Review: Dream Hollywood (California)

Dream Hollywood is an upscale hotel located in the heart of Hollywood, California. The hotel boasts 178 guest rooms with mid-century modern aesthetics and subtle nods to the glamour of Hollywood. The hotel features a rooftop lounge, pool, and restaurant with 360-degree views of LA, two signature restaurants from the TAO Group, and an intimate cocktail lounge.

Image: hyatt.com

At A Glance:

• Average Nightly Cost During Stay: $303 ($407.86 All-In)
• Loyalty Program: World of Hyatt
• Loyalty Category: Category 6
• Discount Applied: 25,000 points
• Room Type as Booked: 1 King Bed
• Room Upgrade: 1 King Bed, Bronze Room w/ Juliet Balcony
• Resort Fee: $42+
• Parking Fee: $60

Booking/Redemption

Location & Parking

The hotel’s location is ideal for exploring Hollywood, with easy access to major attractions, restaurants, subway lines, and corporate offices.

Valet parking is available for $60 per night for overnight parking and unlimited in/out privileges (self-parking is not available).

FHOP Tip: Parking options at Dream Hollywood are limited, the valet is $60, and street parking is extremely hard to come by. That said, you may be able to find street parking (I did somehow) as long as you aren’t trying to find a parking spot between 4pm to 12am. This is Hollywood we are talking about, “early bird gets the worm”.

Lobby

The lobby area of the hotel was tastefully decorated in creamy whites with mid-century-style seating backed by a tangle of bright-green plants in oversized planters. An L-shaped bar in white marble caps off one of the lobby’s corners near the entrance.

Image: hyatt.com

Image: hyatt.com

Front Desk & Check-In

Check-In was quick and friendly, although I was not offered any meaningful upgrade with my World of Hyatt Explorist status other than a Bronze Room [as booked] that had a Juliet balcony.

Welcome Wine & Cheese Bar

After check-in, I was directed over to the edge of the front desk to help myself to the complimentary wine and cheese.

Well…don’t mind if I do…

Room Key

Elevator Area

Hallway

Room Walkthrough Tour

1 King Bronze Room Entrance

The 1 King Bed Bronze Room was an attractive and spacious room with a king-size bed, a flat-screen TV, a minibar, and a private bathroom with a shower. The room also featured a floor to ceiling windows, a work desk, a seating area, and a Juliett balcony with views of the Hollywood & Vine area.

Overall, the room appeared to be a well-done renovation – it was clean, well-lit, and the minibar was stocked with everything needed to get the party started.

Bedroom

Living Area

Mini Bar / Room Amenities

Closet

Bathroom

Karl Lagerfeld product amenities were provided in the bathroom, which, come to think of it, I’ve never seen in a hotel before.

Balcony

The balcony was exactly just big enough for me to stand on (I’m saying it was small).

View From The Room

The room did have some great views. Visible were the Hollywood sign, Griffith Park Observatory, and the Cinerama Dome.

VFTR Short:

The 10th Floor

The Highlight Room & Lounge

Image: hyatt.com

Image: hyatt.com

Swimming Pool

The swimming pool was located on the 10th floor rooftop and offers more great views of the city. The pool is surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas.

The 2nd Floor Meeting Rooms

The Crypt Gallery

The Property Exterior

Fitness Center

The fitness center on the 2nd floor was equipped with modern equipment and offered personal training sessions.

FHOP Tip: What’s Nearby

The hotel is located near the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the TCL Chinese Theatre, the subway, and the Hollywood Bowl. The hotel is also close ride away to Universal Studios Hollywood and the Griffith Park Observatory.

The Bottom-Line Ratings: Dream Hollywood

The Bottom-Line Review: Dream Hollywood (California)

After staying at Kimpton The Everly Hollywood, I thought that was “The Most Hollywood” a hotel could get. Well, Dream Hollywood now takes the cake.

Dream Hollywood is no doubt a posh hotel with a prime location in the heart of Hollywood, California, but would I call it luxury? Probably not. However it is cool and upscale. But it’s Hollywood location was a double-edge sword. While the hotel has access to major attractions, subways, and corporate offices, Hollywood is also subject to crushing traffic, rarely available parking spaces, and other colorful modern societal ills. None of that is anything new, Hollywood has always been that way, just “know before you go”.

The hotel’s decor was attractive, especially the lobby and rooftop, and the service was good (although being an Explorist got me no love). The wine and cheese spread was delicious and an easy place to meet other guests. The bars were inviting and lively. The 1 King Bed Bronze Room was spacious and comfortable, and the Karl Lagerfeld toiletry products – well, I’ve never seen those before in a hotel. The swimming pool was another highlight. Overall, I did enjoy this hotel, and I think the younger me would have probably loved it, but the older me thinks it’s just a bit “too Hollywood” and a bit overpriced for what you get.

Final Rating: 8 out of 10