Andaz West Hollywood Rating: 4.0 Pearls

West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California

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Be sure to keep an eye on the modern art.

A lot's changed at 8401 West Sunset Boulevard since 1975, when Robert Plant allegedly yelled, "I am a golden god!" from one of the hotel's balconies. The hotel once known as the "Riot Hyatt" has softened its edges considerably, reopening in January 2009 as Hyatt's second Andaz property. (The first is in London; two more opened in New York in 2010.) Gone are the balconies from which rock's two most famous Keiths -- Moon and Richards -- both tossed televisions; they have been replaced with glass-enclosed, rockstar-safe "sunrooms" that overlook the Sunset Strip. Also gone: windows that open, thanks, at least in spirit, to Jim Morrison, who lived at the hotel until he was reportedly evicted for hanging from his window, suspended above the Sunset Boulevard pavement. (For more on the hotel's riotous history, click here.)

Not that the Andaz has completely abandoned its rock(y) past. This is, after all, where the rockingest of all groups, Led Zeppelin, rented as many as six floors in the mid- and late-1970s for the band and its entourage. Each stylish room includes a different LP (remember those?), which, though not terribly practical -- don't try to play it in the iHome -- provides a faint reminder of the hotel's storied history. During my stay, I didn't see Page or Plant, but I did receive a heavy dose of Ozzie, in the form of a rotating photo exhibit by rock photographer Mark Weiss. Nothing like eating your organic farm fresh eggs with the Prince of Darkness staring at you from behind, eyes ablaze.

Based on my experience, however, those are just cursory nods to the past. Today, about 80 percent of the Riot Hyatt's guests are business travelers; during the week, don't expect any rooftop parties or long nights at the bar. Andaz, Hyatt's newest brand, means "personal style" in Hindi, and the Southern California branch sports plenty of the sleek, sexy modernity you'd expect in West Hollywood: an inviting rooftop pool with 360-degree views and fun modern art (dig this dog, literally made of trash). The brand's tagline, "Sophistication made simple," manifests itself more in the details than the service, which can be spotty. The spacious, comfortable rooms feature some nice freebies, notably the high-quality snacks and (nonalcoholic) drinks and the Wi-Fi ("Our goal is to be hassle free," it says on your screen when you log in. "That's why the internet's on us. ... Surf's up!").

It will be interesting to see how the reimagined Hyatt does. Its biggest obstacle may not be the building or the Andaz brand or the floundering economy, but rather the stiff competition nearby, some of it literally across the street. The Andaz sits on the same stretch of Sunset Boulevard as a number of other impressive hotels, including the achingly hip Standard Hollywood and celebrity magnet Chateau Marmont, which are down the road, and the extravagantly designed Mondrian and understated Sunset Tower, which you could hit with a television from the roof of the Andaz. You'll find better service at the Sunset Tower, higher design at the Standard, and a more happening bar scene at the Mondrian. And now that the Riot Hyatt is no longer riotous, you'll want the Chateau if your goal is stargazing. But for a nice mix of style and comfort at a reasonable rate, the Andaz is an excellent pick.

A table serves as the check-in desk.

Here's what it says about the service on the hotel's homepage: "At Andaz West Hollywood, there is no need to wait in lines. You will be greeted by an Andaz Host who is prepared to give you the insider's tips, tours and guides to anything your heart desires on the 'Strip' and beyond. Upon arrival, they will offer you a seat in our lounge and a glass of wine or bottle of water, all while checking you into your room."

Here is how my check-in went: When my cab pulled up, two guys in street clothes who appeared to be loitering in front of the entrance opened the taxi door and grabbed my bags. Interesting. In the lobby, I couldn't tell the difference between the employees and the guests, partly because of their attire (again, those street clothes) and partly because there is no front desk. Instead, there's what you might call a check-in terminal. Staffers walk around carrying laptops; they sit you down on the couch, offer you a bottle of water (no one mentioned wine to me), and check you in as if you're old friends meeting in a cafe.

I get the idea -- an "un-hotel-like experience which is easy, uncomplicated, and all about you and your comfort," as it says on the room key card sleeve -- and I appreciated the attempt at something new. It's certainly unique; I'd never seen a plain-clothed staff before. But because of the inefficiencies that resulted, along with a staff that seemed overwhelmed at times, it all felt more gimmicky than anything else. They asked me what newspaper I wanted each morning but did not deliver it. When I had a package mailed to me there, no one called to let me know it had arrived. Maybe they're still working out the kinks but the second half of the aforementioned promise -- the "easy, uncomplicated" part -- was never fulfilled.

• 24-hour room service
• Drink service by the pool
• In-room spa services upon request
• Reasonably priced valet ($28 per night) or self-parking ($25)

View on a Larger Map

Located in a prime part of West Hollywood -- a famous bar (Saddle Ranch) and famous comedy club (Comedy Store) are the hotel's next-door neighbors -- the Andaz sits on the same stretch of Sunset Boulevard as a number of other popular and notable hotels, including the Standard Hollywood and Chateau Marmont, which are down the road, and the Mondrian and Sunset Tower, across the street. So, choices abound.

The Sunset Strip, which has long been known for its famed music clubs like the House of Blues (right across the street), the Roxy, Viper Room, and Whisky A Go-Go, has gotten significantly more upscale than its strip-club and head-shop days in the '70s and '80s. Not that all the grit is gone -- a few (now legal) marijuana dispensaries dot the area, and panhandlers still operate along Sunset. Overall, though, the neighborhood is safe and clean.

• 10-minute walk from Sunset Plaza, a half-mile stretch of upscale boutiques and restaurants like BLT Steak, Roberto Cavalli, and Catherine Maladrino
• Two miles from the heart of the Hollywood and its Walk of Fame
• Universal Studios is about 20 minutes away by car.
• Three-mile, 10-minute drive from Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills
• Santa Monica and L.A.'s beaches are about 30 minutes away by car.
• Bob Hope Airport in Burbank is about 14 miles away from the hotel, which can translate to a 45-minute drive in traffic.
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) can be up to a 90-minute drive away.
• Tip: To avoid a pricey cab from the airport (typically $50 to the hotel), opt for a shared-ride van with a service like Supershuttle, which costs about one-third as much.

A standard Andaz King Room

The Andaz's rooms are excellent. Completely overhauled in 2008, they excel in both the crucial elements (beds, bathrooms, technology) and the little things that make a hotel stay special (bath products, freebies, views). Standard rooms run 300 (Andaz Rooms) or 350 (View Rooms) square feet -- about average for L.A., but they feel plenty spacious, partly because the bathrooms are quite small. My favorite thing about the rooms (and yes, I'm aware this says something about your humble reviewer)? The free snacks and drinks, which are supposed to be healthy and organic and local and stuff (boo), but which also include Pringles (yay).

• Rooms overlook the Hollywood hills on one side (the "Andaz" series) and most of rest of L.A. (at least on a clear day) on the other. It costs $25 to $75 for an upgrade from an Andaz to a View, which also gives you 50 more square feet and a sunroom. But even the view from the Andaz rooms is picturesque, so you can't lose either way.
• Comfortable beds with Sealy Posturpedic Mattresses, soft pillows, and Pacific Coast down duvets
• 37-inch LG flat-screens with about 40 channels (it says 42 inches on the website, but the one in my room was 37)
• Free and reliable Wi-Fi, but it's not terribly high-speed (just fast enough to stream YouTube)
• iHome iPod docks
• Free snacks and nonalcoholic beverages (liquor and beer, also available, cost extra)
• Big showers with good water pressure
• Frette 100 percent cotton bathrobes
• Luxe Red Flower Ocean bath products

The view from the rooftop pool

The Andaz boasts the standard big-city business-hotel collection of amenities -- fitness center, meeting rooms, public computers -- but the highlight, to be sure, is the pool atop the 14-floor building. It was cold the week I was there, so the pool area was empty during my stay, but reliable word has it that it's a pretty wicked place to kick it when the sun is out. Even if you're not in a drinking mood, head up there, snag one of the cabanas overlooking the rest of L.A., and take in the killer view.

• Pool open sunrise to sunset, but special requests are usually accommodated
• Pool Cocktail Hours, when the weather's nice, on Friday and Saturday nights, from 7 to 10 p.m.
• Modern, well-equipped fitness center with cardio machines, free weights, strength-training machines, and complimentary bottles of water (but be sure to bring your own headphones if you want to listen to music or enjoy the TVs on the cardio machines)
• Four small but stylish and high-tech meeting rooms (called studios); one larger ballroom on the top floor (2,700 square feet), which is great for weddings and other events
• No business center, per se, but there are computers in the lobby -- free, too

The pool can be sceney, but children are welcome.

What makes West Hollywood so appealing -- its bars and nightclubs, high-design hotels, and sedate vibe -- are precisely what make it less family-friendly than other neighborhoods in L.A., particularly Hollywood and the beaches. Still, there's no reason in particular not to take the kids to West Hollywood -- the Sunset Strip's seediest days are long gone -- and if you do, the Andaz is one of the more family-friendly options in the area.

• Free cribs and rollaway beds
• Connecting rooms available
• Pool can be sceney, but children are welcome
• Le Parc Suites, also in West Hollywood, isn't as nice as the Andaz, but it's far more kid-friendly. For a list of the best family hotels in all of L.A., click here.

The Andaz reopened in January 2009 after a full renovation. Besides a few small blemishes in my room (scratches on the desk, stain on the duvet), the only issue was the grime on the windows, a common problem for hotels. (And, to be fair, management noted that all windows were due for a cleaning a few days after my visit.)

The hotel’s restaurant, RH

The Andaz's restaurant, RH, isn't particularly well known, but that's a reflection of the stiff competition in the area (including some high-profile eateries at other hotels), not the quality of the food. Executive chef Pierre Gornes has previously worked for Parisian restaurants Hotel de Crillon and Alain Ducasse's Aux Lyonnais. RH is expensive (my eggs at breakfast were $16), but not outrageously so; it's worth at least a meal or two before heading out to explore the Strip.

• Modern French cuisine with California ingredients, mostly organic and/or local. For menus and prices, click here.
• Steak, sushi, Italian, Mexican, burgers, and diner fare are among the many dining options within walking distance, though a car is definitely useful (as always in L.A.).