A* all the way....
We were looking for somewhere to stay for the last 3 nights of a West Coast tour, and The Redbury had a style and decor that made us want to spend a few more $$ than we'd previously done on the way. Though I'd add - still not extortionate.
As tourists on our first trip to LA it was the small things that the local pay no attention to that really got us excited - step out the front door of the hotel and you're standing on James Dean's Hollywood Walk of Fame gold star! In addition, the downstairs lobby of the hotel was filled with film crew filming an episode of a TV show, so we had to go round the side. Not an inconvenience - just exciting to step into LA and find there's a film crew in your hotel!
Reception were very pleasant and efficient. I did feel like I could go and ask them for anything. We had a 5 minute wait for the room, and it was less than 5 minutes for a rollaway bed to be delivered. The hotel decor is beautiful. Soft dark lighting, big portraits and sofas, and they seem to pump something fragrant through the building. It always smelt good.
The room is the best hotel room I've ever stayed in. We rushed in like common tourists yelling 'wow!' at everything. Immaculate enormous kitchenette, breakfast bar, a vintage record player with LPs, wet room shower, seating, large TV. My friend had the double 4 poster bed and I used the rollaway, which had been set up in the corner. My balcony didn't catch the Hollywood sign but did have a fantastic view of the Capitol Records Tower, just a short distance away. Everything in the room was immaculate, clean and undamaged. We were so happy.
Of an evening LA does come alive a bit. There was a queue of people for a club next door but I was on the fourth floor so it wasn't invasive. The music from the club was a very dull thud but it didn't stop me sleeping, and I was often exhausted. The balcony is a good size, though admittedly less glamorous than the rooms.
Be aware that you are in LA so nothing is free. Hotel wifi is $10 for a 24 hour period, and rollaway beds are $30 a night. I waited for some friends downstairs one night in the very nice bar, and a G&T came to about $10.50. I didn't mind as I was on holiday, but I wouldn't want to pay that in Essex.
The location is excellent. LA is big so you're always going to need to get a cab somewhere. The hotel is however in easy walking distance of Hollywood Forever Cemetry, the Chinese Theatre and handprints, Madame Tussaud's, Ripley's, shopping and tourist spots. If you want to go to Sunset Strip you'll need to cab it as it's far out.
The hotel gets a special mention as I was in LA packing to go home when I realised my passport was in San Francisco! Nightmare! But the receptionists were so good. They let me use their phones, dialled numbers for me, looked up contact details, gave me free wifi, extended my check out time, and then only charged me 50% for a room I'd booked and suddenly didn't need (I'd planned to come back but didn't). All in all they really helped me out, and I think they would have helped more if I'd needed it. Top class service, and it really sealed my impression of The Redbury as a classy place to stay. Thank you.