Feeling at Home at The Prospect Hollywood
/Aside from its ideal location and the inviting décor, the first thing I noticed upon arriving to the Prospect Hollywood was how welcoming it is. The vibe at the Prospect feels like a small community, with the GM Nathan treating me- a first time guest- upon check in with the same sincere kindness and friendliness as the regulars who I overheard in the lobby who have been coming back to visit the hotel again and again.
As someone who lived in Los Angeles for nine years, returning to my old stomping grounds as a visitor can sometimes seem a little foreign, but the atmosphere at the Prospect was somehow so familiar that I was feeling like I had returned home. Both casual yet effortlessly elegant at the same time, The Prospect is an impressive property that delivers an exceptional experience and a memorable stay in the heart of Hollywood.
Location
The Prospect is conveniently located within walking distance to the best of what Hollywood Blvd has to offer, but is tucked away in a quiet, residential corner so you won’t hear any of the foot traffic or street noise. With plenty of restaurants, shops, and nightlife nearby, you will feel like you are as close as you can get to the action while still maintaining some privacy and anonymity.
The hotel has a low profile from the outside and a gated parking entrance to ensure safety and security. Situated amongst a number of residential buildings on a quiet street, calling the Prospect home during your stay in Los Angeles will quickly make you feel like a local.
The Best Hotel Near the Hollywood Bowl
The location of the Prospect was especially convenient for me, as the main reason I was visiting Los Angeles was for a concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Because of its close proximity to the venue, you can avoid concert parking and traffic by walking directly to the entrance (though it’s up a slight incline), or you can easily call an Uber to take you directly to the drop off zone at the Bowl. As anyone who has been to the Hollywood Bowl knows, leaving the venue immediately after a concert can be a bit chaotic- with traffic so gridlocked that drivers who parked their cars can’t easily leave and Ubers and taxis have a difficult time picking up and locating riders.
After the concert, we thought to try calling an Uber to take us back to the hotel, but by the time we even connected with one that could pick us up we had already walked the entire distance to the Prospect (it was about 18 minutes from the entrance of the venue). Not only did it feel like it was quick to get back, but the entire walk was downhill and easy.
Design
The Prospect Hollywood’s impeccable design by Martyn Lawrence Bullard is certainly a highlight of the property, and truly sets it apart from any other hotel in Los Angeles. To feel instantly transported to an era of Hollywood Regency and to be surrounded by such sensible sophistication makes the Prospect an incredible value in my opinion, as other hotels in the area tend to charge much more per night for much less of an experience.
The Rooms
When it comes to design of the rooms, not a single inch is left ignored and every detail is simultaneously exciting yet impressively tasteful. I stayed in the Marilyn Monroe suite which was spacious, felt secluded and private, and featured a writing desk, a sitting area beside the windows, and a thoroughly stocked mini bar. From the wallpaper to the furnishings and even down to the cleverly disguised air conditioning unit, I felt as though each thoughtful detail lent to a cohesive story that pays respect to the property’s historic character while treating its guests to modern comforts and luxury.
The Bathroom of My Dreams
If I were to design my own bathroom one day, it will be modeled after the one from my suite at the Prospect- where a sharp shade of pink on the walls and beautiful marble countertops and tiling are expertly combined with brass finishings and Waterworks hardware. Supremely feminine yet sophisticated and elegant, the bathroom of the Marilyn Monroe suite and each of the other rooms are stocked with Diptyque toiletries, plush towels, and Derek Rose London bath robes.
Common Areas
The intimate lobby pulls triple duty as a reception that is also a full bar and a seating area that also serves as the breakfast room offering beverage and pastry options each morning. With its vibrant colors and bold furnishings, the large windows allow bright welcoming light into the room during the day, and dim lighting transforms the space each night into a comfortable yet richly decorated place to drink and socialize.
Beyond the lobby lies an outdoor hallway that leads to the main patio, outfitted with a fountain, multiple fire pits, and ample seating and sunshades. Above the main patio is another, more secluded patio with lounge chairs and table seating. The layout of the property lends to its community feel, with most rooms surrounding the main and upper patios.
Amenities
Though the hotel’s amenities focus primarily on the essentials, it does them well and you can be sure your nightly rate isn’t paying into anything unnecessary that you may not even use during your stay (like a gym or a spa). However, one of my favorite perks about staying at the Prospect Hollywood is that each guest is given access to Neuehouse, the private members-only work and social space located just a few minutes away on Sunset Boulevard.
With a quick email to the Prospect Hotel’s front desk, I was conveniently set up to check into Neuehouse and I was able to easily access the facilities to take calls and get some work done before a weekend attending the concert and catching up with old friends. Had I been staying at the Prospect for longer than just a few days, I would have definitely appreciated this amenity even more as I find having a change of scenery helps me focus while working remotely as opposed to getting my work done from my hotel room.
It only took one stay at the Prospect Hollywood to realize that I too will happily become a regular there, and as I’m writing this I’m already looking forward to my next stay at the hotel for another upcoming visit to Los Angeles.
To check availability and nightly rates for the Prospect Hotel, click here to view the property on Expedia, or take advantage of the hotel’s private rates by booking direct on their website. Have a question about staying at the Prospect Hotel? Drop a comment below!
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