Giant nightclub, no guest amenities.
Would recommend against staying here unless you want a room to crash after partying or in which to change from daytime pool party (think Vegas meets MTV the Hills) to nighttime clubbing. The only common or outdoor space that exists is the roof-top pool deck, which is physically beautiful, but squatted in by a permanent drunken circus of preening 20 year olds and a rope line at the elevator bay vigorously discourages hotel guests from even going up. And is outwardly hostile to paying guests. What's left? A patio abutting Hollywood blvd (loud thoroughfare) perched atop escalators into the subway -- and the ice in my drink served there stank like day-old fish.
This is not a hotel focused on guests - its a giant nightclub. If that's what you want, the W is doing a good job which accounts for the positive reviews. If you are also looking for a place to stay that offers more than a room and rude bouncers at every turn, I'd look elsewhere -- many nicer and less-expensive options. Sad disappointment for the W chain.