Red Room Chronicles

Identifying Information

Marriott Brand: Residence Inn
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Property Web Page: Residence Inn Beverly Hills

Critique of the Property

Common Areas: Highrise hotel with seven floors above the lobby. Below the lobby there are two floors which include and exercise room, guest laundry and a spa. Breakfast room and lounge area are in the lobby just past the reception desk.

Guest Rooms: Stayed in a studio suite with a small kitchenette. Rooms are generally smaller than typical Residence Inn properties.

Other Amenities: Wired and wireless high speed internet access are free. On site valet parking is $20 per day. Complimentary shuttle available to destinations within five miles of the hotel.

Things To Watch Out For: In studios, the small dining table is cramped and also serves as the desk. You may bump into post operative plastic surgery patients in the breakfast area. Higher floor rooms have views of downtown L.A. and Hollywood sign.

Staff: Attentive staff to help with bags and park the car. Valet service was always quick and friendly.

What’s Nearby?

Beverly Drive shopping district is about a five minute walk north of the hotel. Rodeo Drive shopping district is also in walking distance. Lots of shops and restaurants in both those areas. Adjacent residential areas are quiet and good for a nice walk or jog. Ralph’s Supermarket, Office Depot and Coffee Bean coffee house are just around the corner on Pico Blvd.

Restaurants: No onsite restaurant. Room service available from Spark restaurant around the corner. Factor’s Famous Deli is across Pico Blvd.

Other Marriotts: None

Other Hotels: Crowne Plaza, Avalon Hotel

Tags: Marriott, Residence Inn, Travel ,Hotel

Identifying Information
Marriott Brand: Residence Inn
Location: Houston, TX
Property Web Page: Residence Inn Houston West Energy Corridor

Critique of the Property
Common Areas: A new approach for the Residence Inn brand. Built like a mini version of the standard Marriott brand hotels with brick facade and six stories. Large, open lobby with a stone floor. Adjacent breakfast area and meeting rooms. Small but serviceable exercise room. Small courtyard that contains a pool and jacuzzi.

Guest Rooms: Stayed in a one bedroom suite with kitchenette. Pretty standard for Residence Inn, except for wood floor in kitchen and marble vanity on the bathroom sink. Kitchen outfitted with dishwasher, refrigerator, two burner electric stove and microwave oven.

Other Amenities: Wired internet access in included with the cost of the room.

Things To Watch Out For: Ground floor rooms facing the parking lot are undesirable. The breakfast area gets really crowded after 8AM.

Staff: Very helpful and friendly front desk staff.

What’s Nearby?
The hotel is located very close to Conoco Philips and Citgo corporate headquarters. I-10 entrance is about a mile north of the hotel. Large shopping area about half a mile south includes fast food and supermarkets.

Restaurants: A number of small restaurants around the hotel, including a Kabob restaurant adjacent to the hotel. The area is a developing one so more amenities should be available locally in a few months time.

Other Marriotts: None
Other Hotels: Staybridge Suites

Tags: Marriott, Residence Inn