Does anyone have a comment about the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel on N. Highland Rd.? It has been recommended to us and we are able to get a reasonable price (Canadian $ through our travel agent). I have read the reviews on tripadvisor, gayot, yahoo etc. and most seem very favourable.

You can search on here for other comments -- the Renaissance Hollywood has come up a number of times recently.

I stayed there last summer and really enjoyed it (I was there to see a show right down the block.) The room was beautiful.

I see you've settled on Hollywood. I'm still convinced you'll be much happier in another part of the greater LA area (the Hollywood neighborhood is a little too gritty for two women traveling alone-- I'm sorry, but that's a fact), but the Renaissance Hollywood is really your only choice if you MUST stay in Hollywood in YOUR situation. And it's a good hotel to boot.

For your purposes, I would still urge you to look at Santa Monica. Or Beverly Hills. But if it must be Hollywood....

Oh, wanted to add -- seeing your other hotel post -- that one of the nice things about the Renaissance Hollywood is that the Chinese Theater (with the stars' handprints) is right there; the hotel is also part of a shopping complex with restaurants -- convenient if you're looking for a place close for dinner.

There was an organic smoothie place in the complex that we enjoyed.

Something interesting about the hotel that might not have come up in other posts -- there was a beautiful dark blue fish in a fishbowl in our room -- there was a little sign next to it saying, "I'm your little blue friend ... " I'm probably not conveying the tone correctly, but it was cute. (There was also a notice that the housekeeping staff fed the fish.) It was very calming to watch.

I think you'll enjoy the hotel -- the desk staff was very smooth, polite and professional.

Have a great trip.

We stayed at the Renassiance Hollywood October of 2002. It was an excellent choice of location for our needs...sight seeing & doing all the touristy things that involves being in L.A. & Hollywood. The hotel is well run & beautiful. As for safety, I didn't feel it to be an unsafe area in the immediate area at all. The train station is right there, so no need to walk far at all to get back to the hotel. You'll have lots of fun!

Excellent choice if you can get a decent rate. The Hollywood Visitors Center is right downstairs, all the info and help that you need for taking tours/excursions...bus schedules, maps brochures etc. California Pizza Kitchen and some other affordable dining options right there and others on the same block. A movie premiere might happen right outside the front door...it's basically in the same building as the Kodak Theatre where the Oscars are held (but skip this tour...its kind of a ripoff).

The subway will take you to Universal, Bus 163 will take you to Warner Brothers or NBC Tour (you can do both in one day). The only real problem is that it's quite a distance from LAX, but Air Canada flies into Burbank. From Burbank airport you're looking at a $25 cab ride and from LAX maybe $50-$60.

Nice rooftop pool, but don't spend too much time in the sun...Los Angeles is an ozone-free zone!

We stayed there in January--loved the hotel and enjoyed the location. I wandered around Hollywood Blvd. alone while DH was in meetings and felt perfectly safe. FYI--skip the Italian restaurant in the Hollywood and Highland complex (can't remember its name)--overpriced yet subpar quality food. Have fun!

Thanks so much for all the comments. The rate we got from the travel agent was very good, especially since we will pay in Canadian funds and avoid the exchange rate ... it makes a big difference. Although it may not be the best location, it sounds like it'll suit our needs.
Apparently we can also pre-book tours through our travel agent and of course this would be Canadian funds also. They use Red Line Tours. Comments welcomed.