Magic Castle Hotel

7025 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, California 90028, United States
Fodor's Choice
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Why We Like It

For a small property, the Magic Castle Hotel packs an enormous punch. Perfect for families looking for Hollywood fun, the hotel has limitless services that are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Sure, there’s no gym or restaurant, but every amenity here is free--including laundry! Overall, the personal touches are what sets this hotel apart, and anything you could want or need, the hotel will bend over backward to make sure you’re satisfied.

Fodor's Expert Review

Quaint and cute may sound like condescending ways to describe a hotel, but when you discover that this small Hollywood boutique is consistently one of the top-rated hotels in the entire city, you’re impelled to look deeper. The hotel’s charm is only partly due to its size, but what families and international tourists have come to appreciate is the nearly endless array of free amenities and a personal level of service that would be hard to find anywhere else.

Tip Staying at the Magic Castle Hotel will get you access to the exclusive Magic Castle home to the Academy of Magical Arts. The only other way to get into this private club is to have an actual magician-member invite you. Just ask the hotel to help you get a reservation.

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Room

Nearly every room surrounds the bright yellow courtyard and pool, and come with balconies or patios that look over the property. There are only 43 total rooms and they’re all basically equipped with hardwood floors, a full kitchen, sleeper sofas, and free Wi-Fi. Other room goodies include an unlimited complimentary supply of full sized candy bars, chocolate chip cookies, chips, pretzels, and really any other snack you can think of.

Tip Of all the free amenities, the best might be the free laundry service. If you drop your stuff off at the lobby in the morning, you’ll get a fresh batch of cleaned and folded clothes later that night.

Bathroom

Most white-tiled bathrooms come with shower/tub combos and are appointed with Tarocco bath products.

Lobby

A small entryway has a couple chairs and fresh apples for guests to grab. This is more a throughway to the large courtyard and pool area.

Pool

The palm tree-lined pool sits in the middle of the hotel courtyard and is the perfect place for kids to play. There are always pool toys and floats, and in case of overheating emergencies, there’s a dedicated red phone where kids can request popsicles.

Around the pool are some tables and chairs where guests can post up for breakfast and their morning coffee. But one of the real treats is on Monday/Wednesday/Friday mornings from 9-10 am when a close-up magician comes around to perform for the kids.

Gym

Although there’s no gym on the premises, the hotel does have a partnership with 24-Hour Fitness where guests can use their facilities for $5. The hotel will reimburse the $5 when you return.

Dining

While there’s no actual restaurant on site, the hotel does provide a free continental breakfast in the lobby with coffee, pastries, fruit, yogurt, etc. For those with a sweet tooth, there’s a free soda machine around the corner from the lobby.

Tip The hotel also has a soft-serve machine where guests can cool their palates with ice-cream from 2:30-9 pm!

What's Nearby

Getting Around

Getting around this area is incredibly easy. You may not realize it because the hotel is on a slightly residential street, but you’re only a block north of Hollywood Boulevard and the cavalcade of bars, clubs, museums, and attractions along the famous strip. Getting a taxi isn’t the easiest in this exact spot, but hailing an Uber or Lyft shouldn’t be a problem. You’re also a block away from the Hollywood/Highland train station that can take you to Universal Studios, Downtown LA, or even Santa Monica. You definitely don’t need to rent a car if you’re staying here.

Restaurants

Directly behind the hotel, on top of the hill, is Yamashiro, a Japanese restaurant built like an old-world feudal fortress and featuring breathtaking views of the city. If you want to experience a classic Hollywood steakhouse, check out Musso & Frank Grill (11-minute walk) that’s been open since 1919. Across the street from Musso is Miceli’s Italian, famous for its pizza, pasta, and professional singing waiters!

Bars

Known for its nightlife, Hollywood is filled with endless bars and clubs. If you want to hit more than one in a night, head over to the Roosevelt Hotel (6-minute walk) where they have upwards of 10 bar options to work with. For specialty drinks housed in a non-descript strip mall, check out The Woods (9-minute walk).

Quick Facts

HOTEL INFO

Phones: 323-851–0800;800-741–4915