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July 2024 by Chris Rogers
Weird. This property goes to market under 2 names - Vibe Hotel and Banana Bungalow Hostel. Here is how it works: looks, feels, and operates like a hostel. If you book a room as a "hotel room" they dedicate one of the hostel rooms to you which means there are extra beds and locked doors in your room. Zero frills - huge garbage bins placed outside my front door for the duration of my 2 day stay gave it that grimy alley feel. Literally the hardest bed I have ever encountered in my life. Side sleeper kept waking up with a sore shoulder. But the worst part was the utter lack of professionalism of the management. I timed my arrival to give me an hour before a show I was in town for. When I arrived, I was locked out on the street which is..um..not the most pleasant block in town. Nobody responded to the buzzer or the phone. When I FINALLY got into the property, the front desk was empty with a hand written "be back in 10" post-it. 15 more minutes roll by, and now there are a number people backed up to check in. My hour-long window is now looking more like 30 minutes. The attendant strolls up at a snails pace like he just woke up and with zero empathy. I asked others if I could please check in first so I could change and get going (Not to mention go to the bathroom, eat something, you know) There were very nice and let me go first. So he assigns me a room and when I get there, it is already occupied as a hostel with several occupants. Now I am having to head back to the front-desk, shoehorn my way past the other waiting guests and ask for a room that is not already occupied. Even scarier, I had easy access to their room and valuables - what about mine? This is only exacerbated by the fact that there is NO DEADBOLT and closet safe didn't have any obvious instructions, and I had no time to try and figure it out. So I crossed my fingers, booked it to the theatre and hoped that my stuff would not be stolen. It was not. When I got back I ignored the pounding music going till midnight, put in my earbuds and crashed on the concrete bed.
TL;DR: This is a hostel. They will charge you hotel prices if you want your own room. Stay here only if you are not on a schedule, don't mind staying in hostel-basic accommodations, or staying amongst the garbage bins, don't care about security, and you bring earplugs if you're not planning to join a party on a Tuesday night.
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June 2024 by Hayden Hamilton
I love this place. It's filled with crazy people- everyday is like a TV show... but it's Hollywood!!! What else could you ask for?! Meals and events nearly every night, which are great. THE STAFF!!! So amazing. Too many to name each but everyone works their butt off to make sure everyone has a lovely stay. They work to make sure everyone is as comfortable as possible. The front desk is always kind. Irena is ALWAYS on top of things. Kiki keeps the night time mellow and fun. Again, too many great staff to say every single person. But truly a remarkable stay. Would recommend to anyone that wants a fun hotel/hostel experience.
Rooms: Rooms are kept clean.
Nearby activities: Walk of fame is right down the road.
Walkability: Walk of fame is 4 min walk away. Sisters Cafe is amazing and down the road. Gelson’s is only .4 miles away. Even Leo’s tacos isn’t too far away for a late night stroll
Food and drinks: Drinks most nights and the grill outs are stellar. The chicken dinner is killer and one of the best values in LA for food.
Noteworthy details: It’s crazy. It’s a hostel. It’s Hollywood. I love it. The people are what makes everything here great.
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May 2024 by Arvind Gupta
“Reasonably comfortable stay in prime location ”
This hotel is located in the core area of Hollywood. Property is more like hostel type rather a regular hotel. Environment here is very friendly. Kiki the manager is very helpful and caring. We had a nice weekend party here with free drinks and BBQ. This property is good for friends and for persons who don't want to pay huge bills on stay while living in prime area of LA
Rooms: Rooms are OK types
Nearby activities: Very close to happening places of Hollywood area
Safety: Reasonably OK. Rooms has a locker.
Walkability: Walkable distances to Hall of Fame and amenities
Food and drinks: They give complimentary breakfast which do not have much choices, but satisfying. All day round coffee and tea is available which is unique. They organize weekend parties in which they offer free drinks and BBQ.
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April 2024 by SV Durand
Hostal on Hollywood Blvd with great “vibes” and customer service, not bad but price for what you get. Pretty reliable and convenient ??✨ just a lot of cigarette smoke ?
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April 2024 by Stephen Bonilla
Best place in town to stay hands down. Mo is a great guy and the biggest helping hand you can find in town.
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February 2024 by WAZEER
Value for money location in the heart of Hollywood..also have parking but paid and basic
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December 2023 by andrea ridlon
I think I am a bit older than their intended demographic ? however this place is super cute. They have a very inviting common area that has social events and coffee/tea available 24/7, in addition to daily adventures around LA. There was someone at the front desk each time I needed something (extra blankets and a space heater) and the other guests were really nice. However this is basically a repainted older motel 6 and so the heat didn't work and since we were in the front of the building so we heard all of the traffic on Hollywood Blvd. If you can ask for a room in the back. Overall I did enjoy my stay and wish I had more time to chill there.
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October 2023 by Nathalie Salome
What a shame.... I really wanted to love this place...Great location right on Hollywood Blvd and 101.Nice well-kept property at affordable rates.Unfortunately, daytime customer service is horrendous. They canceled my reservations from Friday until Monday, leaving me out for the weekend, and still charged my card.The daytime office cleck is rude not helpful with a bad attitude and honestly should either be fired or properly retrain to provide guests with reservations the service expected.I wanted to recommend this place but I can't because their customer service is working against u making up rules and lying about it... canceling reservations on a weekend but still charging ur card and lying about it.
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October 2023 by Eric Neveu
Well located on Hollywood Boulevard close to the Walk of Fame. Good value for money for Los Angeles. The hotel has a motel look with an interior courtyard. It's not high standard but clean and with the essentials. Rather young and friendly atmosphere thanks to the breakfast (not very extensive) in the courtyard and organized evenings. Absolutely avoid rooms on the boulevard which are too noisy. The staff is friendly and available. Possibility of parking and laundry.
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October 2023 by Sum Wong
WiFi need to improve
Food and drinks: Free breakfast and all time coffee and tea.....
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October 2023 by Martin Černač
One word…. INCREDIBLE. We reserved for 2 nights and the experience was just amazing. The minute we arrived they invited us for a barbecue and drinks the music is nice and there is a ping pong table and a pool table. There’s also a large TV in the yard and a bunch of sofas around so It’s a nice area to hang out and chill. I met a lot of people everyone was friendly and wanted to talk, the receptionist was very friendly and the rooms were really good. It really made my stay in LA better. Would 100% go again.
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June 2023 by Lulaa Badd
I came in for work & just needed a hotel for the night . The hotel was cheap , requested a credit card for incidentals . The room was ok , they just give you a fitted sheet , bed sheet & a towel . The room was ok , wasn’t really cool because the AC was in the kitchen area . I SAW A ROACH WHEN I WENT TO USE THE BATHROOM AROUND 1 AM . The bathtub had hair in it & on the walls , doesn’t look like it had been cleaned really . Giving it 3 stars because the reception was nice & friendly . On Saturday they have free food and free bar from 8-11 . The ppl staying were nice & the host of the bbq was really nice and friendly .
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June 2023 by Misty Blue sky
Originally booked a dorm which was great, and on the last night upgraded to a private room. Property is clean and colorful. Lots of chill common areas. Cute and simple little breakfast in the mornings were great. Staff kind, fun and helpful! Overall, loved our stay here and will be back. It's a laid back, chill place, that has character. Can't beat the location either!
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April 2023 by Kristin Leigh M.
Want sleep? Do. Not. Stay. Here. I booked through Expedia for one night -- a Tuesday. Nowhere in the property description did it say there is a "party" in the courtyard that begins at 8:30pm. Screaming, singing, shouting. Slamming doors. The way the property is shaped, there is no avoiding the noise. The u-shape of the rooms means that almost every room opens onto the courtyard. Had I known this would be going on, I definitely wouldn't have booked here. On a weekend, I might understand it a bit more... but a Tuesday?The property needs to figure out what it wants to be: a budget-friendly hotel or a frat house. The location is convenient to Hollywood... but I'm not sure why you would want to be in Hollywood these days with the increasing crime rate and growing population of unhoused. The property is just on the outskirts of where things might get a little rough, in my opinion. As I was walking from the west down Hollywood Blvd, about a block and a half before I reached the hotel, a gentleman reached down into his sock, pulled out a knife, and proceeded to walk down the street with it cupped in his hand. The Salvation Army is right across the street, so take note if you walk on that side, you may be asked for money by those in line, like I was. Hollywood was cleaning up for a while, but there are some large tent camps just off Hollywood Blvd, about two blocks to the west. The two positive things about the property:- fast internet- room was clean- affordable on site parkingI wouldn't ever stay here again - unless I wanted to party and not sleep. I've stayed in plenty of hostels around Europe and have found that the common areas don't affect the rooms. That's not the case here. I booked a private room for a reason. Do. Not. Recommend. Never again. Note: I did call to ask about the noise just before 10pm. I was told it would last until 11pm. It was definitely still going at eleven. This property also goes by Banana Bungalow. 2023: 25/100
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April 2023 by Misty B.
Upgraded to a private room on our last night and it was fantastic! Bed was comfortable, bathroom was clean. We really enjoyed our entire stay! Free breakfast pastries and coffee were perfect, if you want a full meal there's a lot of restaurants close by. Staff were also really great!
