Editorial score of 8.8 of 10, the composite average of the three factors above (Rooms, Service, Location). Method at our methodology page. Affiliate disclosure: booking links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you, and never change our verdict.
Why stay at Andaz West Hollywood?
Andaz West Hollywood is worth booking because it pairs one of the most storied addresses on the Sunset Strip with a brand built around removing the small frictions that make hotels tiring. The 14-story tower at the junction of Sunset and La Cienega opened in 1963 as the Continental Hyatt House, the rock-and-roll hotel that the touring bands of the era nicknamed the Riot House, and it reopened in 2009 as the Andaz after a full reinvention. The Andaz operating philosophy is the draw: there is no traditional front desk, a host meets you in the lobby and completes check-in personally, and every room includes a complimentary minibar restocked daily. Those small choices add up to the most relaxed point of entry on the Strip.
The location does a lot of the work too. This is the top of the Strip, a few minutes from Beverly Hills in one direction and the heart of West Hollywood's restaurants and nightlife in the other, and the rooftop pool turns that position into a genuine amenity with a 360-degree view over the city. Set expectations for a design-led, mid-luxury Hyatt with real personality rather than a full five-star grande dame, and it delivers a comfortable, low-friction base for a weekend that is more about the city than the hotel room. It is a strong choice for a group trip, a solo work stay or a business visit that wants character over corporate polish.
What are the best rooms to request?
Request a higher floor facing south over the city, and treat the complimentary minibar and the view as the two features that matter most. The 239 rooms are designed with the Andaz's warm, contemporary character, locally commissioned artwork, quality linens and the restocked minibar in every room, and the categories run from standard rooms up through deluxe rooms to the penthouse suite with its private balcony over the Strip. The difference between the entry and upper categories is largely floor, aspect and space rather than a change of design, so for the view it is worth booking up a level and asking for a high floor at the time of arrival, when the host can often help.
One honest note: this is a reinvented 1960s tower, so the rooms are comfortable and well designed rather than palatial, and the lower floors can look across to neighbouring buildings rather than the open basin. The bathrooms are contemporary and efficient rather than sprawling marble suites. Book for the location, the minibar and the rooftop, price in the destination and valet fees, and set your expectations for smart mid-luxury rather than a full five-star room, and there is little to fault at the rate.
Ask your host for a high floor facing the basin for the sunset, and use the complimentary minibar for the pre-dinner drink so you can head straight up to the rooftop pool. Budget for valet at about 75 dollars a night and the destination fee, and if you are travelling as a group, book a poolside cabana ahead for the afternoon.
What is the dining and the bar scene like?
Dining centres on Riot House, the hotel's restaurant and bar, named for the tower's rock-and-roll history and built around an exhibition-style open kitchen and a serious cocktail programme rather than a theme. It handles both the working lunch and the long evening, with California ingredients and a bar scene that draws locals as well as guests. The complimentary minibar in every room means the late-night drink is covered without a trip downstairs, which is part of why the Andaz feels lower-effort than its neighbours. Between Riot House, the rooftop pool bar and the room minibar, you can eat and drink well without leaving the building, though the point of this location is that the best restaurant corridor in the city is a short walk away.
What about the rooftop pool and wellness?
The rooftop pool and lounge are the social heart of the hotel, sitting above the Strip with panoramic views of West Hollywood, the Hollywood Hills and the city basin, and a poolside bar that turns the deck into an event on a warm afternoon. It is where the hotel's energy concentrates, particularly at weekends, so book a cabana ahead if you want a base for a group. Beyond the pool, there is a fitness centre and in-room spa services rather than a full destination spa, which fits the hotel's mid-luxury positioning. For wellness in the fuller sense, the trails of Runyon Canyon are a short drive, and the walkability of this stretch of the Strip is itself a plus.
Signature amenities
At the top of the Sunset Strip
Junction of Sunset and La Cienega, top of the Strip · about 30 min from LAX
What's nearby
- The Comedy Store
Comedy club2 min walk - Sunset Plaza
Shops & cafes8 min walk - Chateau Marmont
Sunset Strip landmark4 min drive - Beverly Hills
Rodeo Drive10 min drive - Runyon Canyon
Hiking trail10 min drive
The tower, the rooms, the rooftop
Tower
Strip-view room
Rooftop pool
Riot HouseHow does Andaz West Hollywood compare with the other Strip hotels?
Against the field, Andaz West Hollywood is the low-friction, character-led option at the top of the Strip, and the choice comes down to how much polish and scene you want. The West Hollywood EDITION is the sleeker, higher-design and higher-priced alternative from Ian Schrager, with a stronger nightlife pull. The Valorian Los Angeles, the former Mondrian a short way along Sunset, is the reinvented Strip original with its own pool scene. Sunset Tower Hotel is the Art Deco grande dame a few minutes east, quieter and more classic, and home to the Tower Bar.
| Hotel | Style | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andaz West Hollywood | Reinvented Riot House tower | Low-friction stay, minibar, rooftop | Valet and destination fees, busy scene |
| The West Hollywood EDITION | Ian Schrager design hotel | Nightlife, design, scene | Higher rates, less low-key |
| The Valorian Los Angeles | Reinvented Strip original | Pool scene, Sunset views | In transition, variable service |
| Sunset Tower Hotel | Art Deco grande dame | Classic rooms, the Tower Bar | Quieter, higher price for the address |
Frequently asked questions
Where is Andaz West Hollywood and what was the building before?
At 8401 Sunset Boulevard, at the junction of Sunset and La Cienega. The 14-story tower opened in 1963 as the Continental Hyatt House, the rock-and-roll Riot House, and reopened as the Andaz in 2009.
How many rooms does it have?
There are 239 rooms and suites, each with a complimentary minibar restocked daily, from standard rooms up to a top-floor penthouse suite with a private balcony over the Strip.
What is the Andaz check-in and the minibar?
There is no traditional front desk. A host meets you in the lobby and checks you in personally, and every room includes a complimentary minibar. A destination fee of about 32 dollars covers WiFi and amenity access.
Does it have a rooftop pool and a restaurant?
Yes. The rooftop pool and lounge have panoramic city views, and Riot House is the restaurant and bar, with a serious cocktail programme and an exhibition-style open kitchen.
Is it good for a bachelor or bachelorette trip?
Yes. The rooftop pool, Riot House and the position at the top of the Strip suit a group, with cabanas and easy nightlife access. Budget for valet at about 75 dollars a night plus the destination fee, and expect a lively atmosphere.
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