If I Would've Known Earlier...
I just came back from a vacation to southern California, and my children and I stayed in three different properties, the Magic Castle being our last one before heading to Las Vegas. 
I had booked a room at the Hollywood Hills Hotel looking forward to a great view. When I was checking in I had the great honor of being checked in by the most gracious gentleman I had ever met. Z. was very upbeat and suggested I stay at the Magic Castle, and pointed out the benefits of staying "down the hill." The pool "up the hill" is not heated, all the snacks, breakfast, and parking are all "down the hill." I told Z. that the only reason why I booked up the hill was because of the view I was looking forward to. He told me that the room I was getting didn't have much of a view, but it was my choice if I wanted to go up or stay down the hill. The price was the same, so I decided to stay at the Magic Castle.
He was very, very professional and made me feel like the most important person to him. He really made me feel very welcome and at ease. My kids were able to get all the snacks they wanted, plus sodas and that was a big hit with them. 
We stayed in room 213 and I was knocked off my feet to see what a bargain this place really is. It's got a humongous living room with a queen size sleeper sofa already made. It has a comfy king size bed, bathroom with regular amenities. It has a comfy full size kitchen with stove, fridge, microwave, pots, pans, glasses, plates, spoons, etc. etc. The dining room has a table with chairs where you can have a really nice meal.
The hotel is only one block from Hollywood Blvd. and the Walk of Fame, and I kid you not, my teenage kids opted NOT going to Universal Studios, but instead we went on a Hollywood/Beverly Hills tour the day we checked into the hotel, and the next day they spent the day on the Walk of Fame taking pics and buying souvenirs. I rested in the room and when they came back from walking, they took a nice dip in the pool. They loved it, loved it, loved it.
If I would've known about how great this place really is, I would've booked the room for all of the nights I spent in California.
I will definitely return.