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Photos and Review by Oyster.com Investigators.
Pros
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Cons
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A-list rockers have been flocking to the 154-room Sunset Marquis, located steps from the Sunset Strip, since it opened in 1963 as a cheap motel for musicians. Its spacious rooms underwent renovations in early 2010, making them on par with its other amenities -- like the great restaurant, cozy bar, two pools, and new spa.
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Rock stars have been flocking to this low-key hotel since 1963.
In small typography on the Sunset Marquis' homepage, there's an asterix that reads, "Paparazzi diversion tactics available for a nominal additional charge." There are so many celebrities that traipse through the hotel that the staff doesn't get starstruck anymore. During my two-night stay, I spotted Lars Ulrich of Metallica and Joss Stone, and my waitress told me I'd just missed Roger Daltrey of The Who.
The Sunset Marquis cost $8 per night when it first opened in 1963 as a motel for musicians playing at the nearby House of Blues, Roxy, and Viper Room, all located within a few minutes' walk. It has since expanded to 154 rooms, 52 of which are villas, two pools, and a state-of-the-art recording studio designed by renowned acoustician George Auspurger and accessed via a hidden entrance in the underground garage (Lil Wayne and Green Day had both recorded there within a few days of my stay). Unfortunately, though, the sound studio was way more up-to-date than the hotel's elevators, which are small, cramped, beaten up, and glacial.
Despite its prominence as a hotel to A-list rockstars, it feels remarkably relaxed. The quiet feel may have something to do with the meandering stone pathways, a koi pond under a footbridge, and hedges that protect the hotel and its guests from the riffraff of Sunset Boulevard half a block away. I was warned by the hostess that the hotel can get "raucous," especially at night, but during my stay, there was nary a peep.
No matter what your last name, or how many stages you've played on or haven't, the service is great across the board. At 550 square feet, the Sunset's standard rooms aren't quite as spacious as the 750-square-foot ones at the London West Hollywood just down the road, but they underwent soft renovations at the beginning of 2010 that updated them with more modern furnishings and flat-screen TVs. Yes, the newer London has better rooms, as well as a spectacular rooftop pool, a Gordon Ramsay restaurant, and its own share of celebrities -- but the rock-star, cool factor is higher at the Sunset.
Prompt, friendly, and competent, though doormen can be stiff
Service is superb: unpretentious, competent, friendly, and always prompt, though I found the doormen to be a smidge stiff. Guests are addressed by Mr. or Ms., and looked in the eye. Nightly turndowns come with chocolates, there's 24-hour room service, and the concierges are excellent. When I asked about tracking down the Kogi Korean BBQ truck, a mobile food truck famous for its fusion of Mexican and Korean food, the concierge immediately logged onto Twitter to search for it. The day's schedule hadn't been posted yet, but an hour later a printout of the schedule arrived in an envelope beneath my door. My request for more toothpaste was answered in less than five minutes, and my room service tray was picked up within an hour without having to call.
Just off the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood
The Sunset Marquis is tucked away on a quiet side street in the heart of West Hollywood steps from Sunset Strip, the mile-and-a-half stretch of Sunset Boulevard known for its cutting-edge rock clubs and night spots and its collection of premier boutiques and restaurants.
Some are still outdated, but there's an ongoing room renovation
Rooms (the hotel calls them suites) are clean and spacious, at 575 sq. ft., and underwent soft renovations at the beginning of 2010. Unfortunately, I wasn't placed in one of the renovated rooms (and wasn't able to see one) when I stayed there at the end of 2009, which meant that the dé cor and some amenities fell on the stodgy side. But don't fret: old tube TVs have been replaced with flat-screens, clunky clock radios replaced with iHome iPod docks, the balconies refinished, and more modern furnishings installed. Another upgrade since my visit: toiletries have been transitioned from Aveda to chic Italian Erbe products that are also used in the newly built spa. You can also splurge like a rockstar and stay in one of the newly built villas -- way bigger, more luxurious, and more expensive -- but with a 24-hour butler. For even more spacious rooms, with significantly larger bathrooms, check out the London West Hollywood, just a few minutes down the road.
Plenty of features, but guests still have to pony up for Wi-Fi
The hotel has got it all -- and much of it is newly built or newly renovated, like the new 1,800-square-foot spa and soon-to-be-finished gym (guests get free daily passes to Equinox, a swanky full-service gym across the street, in the meantime). But both of the pools are a little small and underwhelming. Do as celebrities do and hang out by the back villa pool if you want more of a scene. Paparazzi caught Lindsay Lohan lounging in a white bikini here not so long ago.
Great A-list bar without a ton of pretentiousness
Locals and A-listers alike congregate at Bar 1200, where things don't really get going until 11 p.m. After spending an hour people-watching from a couch in the lobby, it also seems like high, high heels are the preferred attire. It's a cozy, dark, relaxed scene: Bartenders are unpretentious, the music's great, and the cocktails are, for lack of a better term, awesome.
State-of-the-art recording studio underneath the hotel
The Nightbird Sound Studios is the only facility of its caliber located within a hotel on the West Coast.
Huge rooms, but devoid of a bring-the-kids vibe
Standard rooms are 575 square feet, incredibly spacious for families. But the hotel's relaxed, sometimes-rockish vibe (cigarette butts left in ashtrays and foul language among celebrity clientele) doesn't exactly scream "bring the kids." I didn't see a single child during my stay.
Clean, but close your eyes in the elevators
With the exception of a few stains on the carpet and water stains on the showerhead, rooms are clean. Public areas like the lobby and grounds are immaculate, but the elevators, which also happen to be glacially slow, are scuffed and dirty.
Excellent food from a well-regarded chef, but predictably expensive
Whether room service or a full dinner at Restaurant, the hotel's not-so-ironically named restaurant, the food is superb and incredibly fresh. But expect to dig deep into your pocketbook for cuisine by executive chef Guillaume Burlion, who got his start working for renowned chefs Paul Bocuse and Joel Robuchon. However, the food's worth it and the service is excellent, plus it's much more reasonable for lunch.
A-list rockers have been flocking to the 154-room Sunset Marquis, located steps from the Sunset Strip, since it opened in 1963 as a cheap motel for musicians. Its spacious rooms underwent renovations in early 2010, making them on par with its other amenities -- like the great restaurant, cozy bar, two pools, and new spa.
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