LA hotel scene gets refresher course

Los Angeles’ hotel sector is being boosted by sleek new boutique properties and beautifully refurbished properties.

The ultra-chic boutique Hollywood Heights Hotel (formerly the Holiday Inn Walk of Fame) offers 160 rooms in the hilltop heart of Hollywood, within walking distance of Hollywood & Highland and Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The hotel features contemporary mid-century décor and comes complete with a hillside pool, restaurant and bar, gym and free Wi-Fi.

The venerable Beverly Garland Holiday Inn at Universal Studios Hollywood recently completed a $2-million upgrade, with updates to the 255 guest rooms, fitness centre, onsite movie theatre, restaurant and lounge, and pool and tennis area. Set on seven tree-shaded acres, it's a free-shuttle ride to Universal Studios and Universal CityWalk, and located near Metro Red Line for access to other LA attractions.

The two-year-old boutique Custom Hotel has panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Hollywood and Downtown LA. Just minutes from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Venice and Manhattan beaches, its amenities include 250 guest rooms (with Italian percale linens), a bistro restaurant, and Hopscotch, a split-level outdoor pool bar and grill, with stadium seating, private cabanas and a live DJ on weekends.

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