Montrose at Beverly Hills — Hotel in West Hollywood

Overall, we had a wonderful experience while staying at this property for 4 days in late September. We were visiting our daughter who joined us at the hotel and stayed on the pull out couch - she indicated that this was comfortable and was happy with it. The cleanliness of the hotel was better than most, but our socks did get very dirty if we wore them only while walking around the room. (Perhaps a routine steam cleaning is a good idea.) You can't beat the location, the cost of parking was outrageous but that is what you have to pay in West Hollywood. It would be nice if this would be included in the over $350 USD a night price tag. Also, there is a kitchenette there but no utensils on offer so we did room service quite a bit and it too was very expensive. 22% gratuity added PLUS a $10 USD charge to deliver to either your room or the pool deck. I get optimizing revenue but these prices were crazy. The staff were fantastic. The on site laundry a life saver. The food from room service was a bit over the top with the extras - i.e.: truffle pizza had WAY TOO MANY TRUFFLES, the bbq chicken pizza had too much bbq sauce, like that. (This food our daughter ate, but we had a bite and agree with her sentiments.) Valet parking was very welcome and they were very attentive when we called down and asked for the car - always available when we arrived to the lobby. This is an apartment block conversion that has been done very well, loved the interior design, two large televisions in our room (we had a one bedroom suite but I think all rooms here are suites), one in living area and one in bedroom. A/C worked great - no issues there. There were no ice machines and no vending machines at the property, which again is a way to maximize revenue through room service, and you had to order ice from room service, which comes with an implicit tip, which I have to say I did not give. Our room had a separate bathroom (separate from the master bedroom) which was great for our daughter to use and not disturb us by walking through the master bedroom. On the pool deck, we were able to order food service by pushing a call button, which reminded me of being in Asia where this is very prevalent, but often doesn't work::) This one worked just fine. I need to say, I don't normally write reviews of the hotels where I stay because I stay in so many, but this one deserved one as I was dully impressed - its not a 5 star Asian type property with all the bells and whistles, but for the location, the money, the size of the space and the amenities offered, for those who can afford it, this is a good alternative. Would I stay again? Likely yes, but I would most definitely look into getting some plastic spoons/forks/knives and utilize the amenities...

DON'T TRUST THIS HOTEL. This hotel ruined my birthday and offered me just $90 for my troubles. Read on to find out what happened...

I booked a stay for a special milestone birthday. I had booked a suite about a week in advance, paid the full cost in advance, and received a confirmation from the hotel. When I arrived to check in, I was told the suite I had reserved was not available, but I could receive a similar room instead. I asked if the rooms were pretty equivalent in size and amenities, and I was told yes.

However, when I got my keys and went to the room, I discovered that the room was a small room and lacked the living room, kitchen, and patio that were supposed to come with the suite I reserved. I was put in a room that cost half of what I paid for and was told it was equivalent to the suite I had reserved.

I went to the front desk and complained about the fact that the hotel lied to me, and they said I could get a $30 food credit for my troubles. I insisted that was not enough to cover the change in reservation and the frustration they were causing me on my birthday, and then they said I could also get a $60 parking pass credit.

However, the price differential in rooms was significantly more than that. The suite I had originally booked was priced at over $300 and the room I was put in by the hotel was worth half that price. Not to mention, the absolutely ruined birthday experience, given that I could not celebrate my birthday in the suite that I was expecting to have, with a living room, kitchen, and outdoor patio area. The front desk person basically told me, in a rude tone, "Take it, or leave it." Given I had already paid for my reservation in advance, the hotel basically stole my money, giving me a room that was half the value of what I paid for.

This hotel completely ruined my milestone birthday celebration and all they gave me in return was a measly $30 food credit and a $60 parking pass.

This hotel would be ok to book in emergencies or for a short business trip, but if you're looking to have a worry-free vacation with friends, loved ones, or family, or you're looking to celebrate a special occasion and would like to minimize the likelihood of anything going wrong or dealing with unpleasant surprises during your trip, I would NOT recommend staying here.

If a hotel can't get something as basic as a reservation that was paid in advance correct, they are basically stealing the...

Overall, our experience was very enjoyable.

The welcoming front desk and the hotel's interior were both pleasant. The rooms were beautifully designed, and the location is truly excellent, making it a prime choice in Los Angeles.

I've been involved in the hotel business for over 15 years, and for the past 8 years, my clients have been Hotel Managers, Hotel Operators, and Investors for whom I assist in their daily Profit and Loss reporting. Often, my clients wonder why their numbers decline at certain points. There can be numerous reasons for this, but one frequently overlooked factor is the reliance on workers who are passionate about their jobs.

During our stay, I must highlight Arturo, who served during the morning and wine happy hour. I can honestly say that this man works with his heart and is born to deliver hospitality at its finest. If he doesn't receive a promotion, you might be missing out on a unique talent that your hotel may never find again.

In my experience, hotel chains often believe that teaching their workers a specific script or checklist to follow for every client is sufficient. Yes, you can fake smiles, and this approach may work with most people. However, there is one talent that can't be taught – being genuinely friendly by heart. The passion to be genuinely kind to people without pretense.

We had the time of our lives during our stay, and a significant part of that was thanks to Arturo. Don't get me wrong, other workers were friendly too, although not all. But nobody spread good vibes like him.

One downside was the hotel's parking, which I found a little overpriced at $80 per night. But I suppose this...