From about $235 and $275, this comes down to where you want to wake up. The Hollywood Roosevelt if you want Hollywood Boulevard outside, the TCL Chinese Theatre two minutes' walk away and a pool scene round David Hockney's painting; The Garland if you would rather have seven tree-shaded acres in Studio City, a Family Suite that sleeps five and a free trolley to Universal Studios Hollywood.
The 1927 tower on Hollywood Boulevard where the first Academy Awards were presented and David Hockney painted the pool.
$From about $235 a night
Choose The Hollywood Roosevelt if
A first Hollywood trip
Pool weekends
Film fans
The Walk of Fame at the door
The catch
Noise is part of the deal. The hotel runs restaurants, bars, private events and pool programming, music and pool activity can be audible in the cabana rooms around the pool, the Tropicana is shared with day-pass guests aged 21 and over, loungers are first come, first served, and the pool can close for private events or film shoots.
Seven tree-shaded acres in Studio City, with a pool, bunk-bed family suites and a free trolley to Universal Studios.
$$From about $275 a night
Choose The Garland if
Universal Studios trips with children
Families of four or five
Pool evenings and dive-in movies
First Los Angeles trips with a hire car
The catch
The 101 freeway runs along the north-east edge of the grounds, and some rooms hear it. The hotel had its balcony doors replaced in 2013 to cut the noise, so keep the door shut at night and ask for a room away from the freeway side.
From about $235 and $275, this comes down to where you want to wake up. The Hollywood Roosevelt if you want Hollywood Boulevard outside, the TCL Chinese Theatre two minutes' walk away and a pool scene round David Hockney's painting; The Garland if you would rather have seven tree-shaded acres in Studio City, a Family Suite that sleeps five and a free trolley to Universal Studios Hollywood.
Good questions about The Hollywood Roosevelt vs The Garland
The Hollywood Roosevelt or The Garland?
From about $235 and $275, this comes down to where you want to wake up. The Hollywood Roosevelt if you want Hollywood Boulevard outside, the TCL Chinese Theatre two minutes' walk away and a pool scene round David Hockney's painting; The Garland if you would rather have seven tree-shaded acres in Studio City, a Family Suite that sleeps five and a free trolley to Universal Studios Hollywood.
Is The Hollywood Roosevelt worth it?
Book The Hollywood Roosevelt to swim over a Hockney, step out onto the Walk of Fame and sleep in the hotel that hosted the first Academy Awards. Take a Cabana Garden King for the pool without the front row, and count the $37 fee and the $79 valet before you commit. A historic Hollywood hotel built around a famous pool, where the scene, the address and the history are the point and the rooms are compact. Expect company on the deck and music from the bars.
Does The Hollywood Roosevelt have a pool or a beach?
It has an outdoor pool. There is no beach; the nearest is a drive away.
Is The Garland worth it?
Book The Garland for a Universal trip with children: a free trolley to the park, a pool with weekend movies and a Family Suite with its own bunk nook. Budget for about $89 a night in fees and parking, and keep the balcony door shut at night. A 1972 motor lodge turned retro-mod family base on seven acres beside the 101, where the pool, the movies and the free trolley to Universal do the work. Expect a relaxed, kid-friendly stay that works best with a car and a plan for the park.
Does The Garland have a pool or a beach?
It has an outdoor pool. There is no beach; the nearest is a drive away.