penny

Planning a trip to LA, wondering how this hotel is. I know the area has had great improvements, from what I have read. Just wanted to know the following:

Is the area safe? (I am from NYC, my hubby is from Idaho and he seems a little nervous...I want him to be comfortable.)

How would you describe the hotel? (Is it snooty, or more relaxed?)

And if not the Roosevelt, where would you stay that is comparable price-wise, as well as area-wise?

I know that is a great deal to ask, but if you could, just give me the low down! Thank you, in advance, for any advice you may offer!

Dave

The hotel was re-done several years ago, and they did a very nice job. Lots of old architectural touches. The pool area is very nice. I just recommended it to two friends who are coming to LA.

Don't worry about the area, especially if you are from NYC (I lived there for a few years also). The area is improving, but even 10 years ago I didn't feel threatened on that section of the Blvd. You are in walking distance of Grauman's Chinese, the new Academy headquarters and the El Cap, Disney's flagship movie theater, as well as other things.

evelyn

Penny,
It's a great hotel. Loads of atmosphere, gorgeous Spanish-Mission style lobby, great cabaret ( Eartha Kitt, Blossom Dearie, Steve Tyrell, Jim Bailey play there when in town) walking distance from Grauman's Chinese theatre and the new Hollywood/Highland complex ( OK, it's a mall, but a mall with a view of the Hollywood sign), near both Musso and Frank's (oldest restaurant in Hollywood, favorite watering hole of Fitzerald and Faulkner AND Les Deux ( so cool you must ask for the address or you won't find it--lovely patio and Micheli's --great old time pizza place AND Catalina's Bar and Grill--jazz club, AND Blest, latest very hip boutique) --can't say enough about the area. I can say if you want clean, manicured, perfect LA--this isn't it--it's still a bit gritty, but since you're a New YOrker ( I'm an ex) I think you'll like it.

karla

Hotel was redone and is nice. I personally don't like the area around the hotel and don't feel too comfortable out at night. I'd try for a hotel in Beverly Hills if I were you. Sometimes you can get some good deals.

Thyra

This is a great hotel, in a nice area. Right next to the Metro, and the new Hollywood Highland mall, Grauman's Chinese, the Egyptian, and lots of Hollywood attractions.
I live 3 blocks away, and am a petite female, who walks about alone at night frequently. Don't go further East down the Blvd. past Las Palmas, and you should be fine.
We go into the Roosevelt nearly every weekend for a quiet drink.
Welcome to LA.

GhostHunter

I got deleted so I will post again. This hotel is known to be haunted. I dont know why fodors deleted this. I think it would be fun to stay in a hotel that is known to be haunted, people like to be scared. I guess the people at fodors are scared of ghosts.

Nora

Well, it isn't haunted, there just seems to be one ghost in one room that looks at herself in a mirror every few years. Chances are you won't be in her room the night she looks again. Ask at the front desk.

Thyra

Well, now not to get into an argument about the supernatural. But the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel was featured on an episode of Haunted Places: Los Angeles (I think that is the name of the show) Discovery Channel... it is allegedly haunted by several ghosts:
Marilyn Monroe (she's been seen in the mirror and by the pool)
Rudolph Valentino (In the Blossom Ballroom)
And Montgomery Clift, who stayed there for weeks. The sight below has complete listing of rumored hauntings at the roosevelt.

http://gothic.vei.net/hollywood/hauntings/roosevelt.htm

It's all rather toungue and cheek, I suppose. I don't believe or disbelieve in ghosts. Just posted as some might find it of interest.

xxxx

Thyra, which room does Montgomery Cliff haunt? That is the room for me! I will bring the champagne......

Dave

It was also the hotel that Lucy stayed in in the episodes where Lucy and Desi came to Hollywood. That's how she could steal John Wayne's footprints

Thyra

Dear xxx, sadly I don't recall the room number however, apparently Monty was studying some yelling lines.. and guests say they can still hear him yelling out lines at the top of his lungs.

penny

Thank you for all the info! Actually, I am a Marilyn Monroe fanatic, so I hope to see her ghost! I think we will be just fine at this hotel, and I am VERY excited! Thanks!

GhostHunter

Go to travelchannel.com and type in Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in the search to see when the next episode of haunted hotels will air.

Christina

I used to work right across the street from there and would walk around there on my own in daylight with no real problems except lots of guys thinking I was a hooker which got annoying (not because of what I looked like, they just think any female on the streets around there is), but that was before the big renewal so who can say now; I've been there once since and don't like that area so much, but that was still a couple years ago. I don't like new mall-type activities/architecture. Anyway, the point of my post was to say that although I haven't been in their rooms since the renovation (I always like the Roosevelt), I have read a travel article very recently (in Wash Post or NYTimes probably) by someone who did who said that the quality of rooms varies a lot, and I think some rooms around the pool are not very nice.

Thyra

Actually, I don't think hookers have been hanging around the area since I was in HighSchool (don't ask...long time ago).
Really it's mostly tourists and residents. Lots and LOTS of children lining up for Disney shows at the El Capitan.
If you go there, say hi to Emma the waitress for us!
If it's any example of neighborhood, we bought our house 15 months ago and it's gone up in value 45% mostly due to the neighborhood renovations.

Topper

ttt