I spent a long weekend at Palihouse Holloway and, you know what, I actually liked it. Not loved every bit. But liked it. It’s stylish, warm, and a little quirky. Kind of like that cool friend who always looks good without trying. (For a quick pulse on how other travelers feel, the Tripadvisor page for Palihouse West Hollywood is worth a scroll.)
For an even deeper dive—with extra photos, room-by-room notes, and rate details—you can peek at my standalone review of Palihouse Holloway on Akkeron Hotels’ site right here.
First look: charming, with a tiny hiccup
I rolled my suitcase up Holloway Drive and checked in around 1:15 p.m. The front desk was calm. Soft music. Cozy smell—like cedar and clean cotton. Jess (I wrote her name down) got me into my room early, which was a gift because my shoulders were toast.
Valet was there, quick and friendly, but not cheap. Mine rang up around $55 per night. That’s West Hollywood, though. If you street park, watch the permit signs. I saw a tow truck at 7 a.m., and my heart skipped.
Prefer to settle all or part of your stay the old-school way? My field-tested list of hotels that still accept cash (what actually worked and what totally didn’t) might save you a headache.
The room: vintage mood with real comfort
I had Room 312, facing the courtyard. It looked like a little city flat. Tall headboard. Brass lamps. A velvet sofa in a mossy green that made me want tea and a book. The mini fridge had a retro look, which made even water feel fancy. I liked the small table by the window; I ate dinner there and did some email.
- Bed: firm but comfy, crisp sheets, four pillows. I slept well Friday.
- Lighting: dimmers everywhere, which I love, because bad hotel lighting makes me grumpy.
- Outlets: lots by the bed and desk. I charged phone, watch, and Kindle with no drama.
- Bathroom: rain shower, great pressure, hot fast. Big mirror. The soap smelled like fig and wood. My hair felt soft after. The dryer was stronger than most.
Tiny snag? The door is heavy and kind of loud when it closes. Not a deal breaker. Just a “don’t slam it” note.
Noise: yes on Saturday, less on Sunday
Here’s the thing—this area can buzz. Friday night was fine. I used the white noise app on my phone and drifted off. Saturday around 1:45 a.m., I could hear some late-night laughs from the street and a bit of bass. It wasn’t wall-shaking, but it was there. Courtyard side helps; street side sounded louder when I walked the hall.
Tip: bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper, or ask for a higher floor facing the courtyard. Weeknights felt calmer when I came back from dinner.
Food and sips: cozy courtyard, slow brunch
The hotel’s courtyard café is cute—string lights, leafy plants, that gentle LA glow at dusk. On Friday, I ordered a salmon toast and a side of breakfast potatoes at 10:30 a.m. The potatoes were crisp and herby. The toast had a lemon bite I loved.
Coffee is strong. Not bitter, just bold. I brought it upstairs and worked with the window cracked. On Saturday, brunch service ran a bit slow—my pancakes took close to 30 minutes. They were fluffy and warm when they came, so I didn’t stay mad. Still, if you’re on a time squeeze, order simple or go early. (Curious what locals say about the café side of things? Check its Yelp listing for crowdsourced intel before you sit down.)
The bar makes a clean Negroni with a fat orange peel. I had mine in the courtyard and listened to two friends chat about a pilot script. Only in WeHo.
Staff: easygoing, helpful, human
I texted the front desk for an extra blanket. It arrived in about 10 minutes. I asked for more coffee pods; they forgot once, then sent two sets and said sorry. That felt kind. Housekeeping did a tidy refresh—fresh towels, trash out, bed made. Not fussy, just done.
Little things that mattered more than I expected
- Water pressure in the shower—woke me up fast.
- Blackout curtains that actually block light. Thank you.
- The velvet sofa. I ate leftover tacos there and watched a cooking show. Pure joy.
- Hallway scent. Clean but not strong. Hotels sometimes overdo it. This one didn’t.
Location: walkable and fun, with choices
You can walk to Santa Monica Boulevard and Sunset in a few minutes. Coffee, comedy clubs, late-night snacks. I grabbed a burrito from a spot two blocks away and ate it on the bed like a goblin. No regrets. Rideshare to Melrose took, what, 8 minutes with light traffic. I did a morning hike at Runyon Canyon—about a 15-minute drive. Bring water. The sun doesn’t play.
West Hollywood’s lively nightlife and social media–savvy crowd sometimes come with unexpected “hey, let me treat you” messages or bar introductions that promise easy cash-for-company arrangements. If you ever get one of those tempting offers, peek at this guide to sugar momma scams so you can spot the red flags and keep both your vacation mood and your bank account safe.
For travelers planning a swing up toward the Bay Area who want a quick, no-nonsense read on local classifieds before stepping into Marin County’s social scene, the listings on Bedpage San Rafael offer a snapshot of what’s out there and help you separate genuine opportunities from the too-good-to-be-true pitches.
If your California itinerary later swings north up the coast, you can skim my honest notes from staying in four different Pacific City hotels—complete with small gripes, surprise wins, and practical tips.
What’s not here (so you know)
No big gym that I saw. No pool party scene. If you want a giant spa day, this isn’t that. It’s more like a stylish townhouse where you tuck in, sip something good, and wander out for the action.
Pros and quirks
Pros
- Warm design and comfy bed
- Courtyard café with solid coffee
- Helpful staff and quick texts
- Great water pressure, nice bath stuff
- Courtyard-facing rooms feel more calm
Quirks
- Saturday night noise from the street
- Valet is pricey
- Brunch can run slow
- Heavy doors can thud if you don’t guide them
Who I’d send here
- Couples who like design and long talks over drinks
- Solo travelers who want walkable nights and quiet-ish days
- Friends on a weekend who don’t need a pool or nightclub inside the hotel
Maybe not the best for families who need a pool, or anyone who goes to bed super early on a Saturday.
Quick, real tips
- Ask for a high floor, courtyard side.
- Bring earplugs if you’re sensitive to bass.
- If you’re in a rush, order simple at brunch.
- Skip valet if you’re good at reading LA parking signs (I’m not).
- If you like to work in-room, the window table is great in the morning light.
To compare this West Hollywood gem with other stylish independent stays, swing by the curated collection at Akkeron Hotels.
My final take
Palihouse Holloway feels like a stylish friend’s flat—with good coffee, friendly staff, and a few weekend rumbles from the city outside. I’d stay again, but I’d pick a courtyard room and keep my earplugs handy. It’s cozy, it’s handsome, and it’s a little bit wild when the neighborhood wakes up. Honestly, that mix kind of fits LA. And it fit me just fine.