Mid-century chic meets SoCal cool: A review of the Thompson Hollywood
Editor's Note
On a related note, before booking any travel, be sure to keep up to date with our country-by-country guide to pandemic-era travel restrictions and requirements.
Swanky rooftop pool: Check. Spacious, design-driven rooms: Check. Chic lobby lounge: Check. The Thompson Hollywood ticks all the usual L.A. hotel boxes and, with a little refinement, will be a new standout option in town.
Quick take
For the past few decades, Angelenos and tourists alike avoided the gritty thoroughfares of Hollywood for more glamorous corners of town. However, a recent renaissance has turned this long-neglected neighborhood into a hospitality hot spot, with new hotels ranging from Mama Shelter and the Dream to the most recent entrant: the Thompson Hollywood. The latest outpost of Hyatt’s fast-expanding label hits most of the right notes, with thoughtfully designed rooms (think equal parts Scandinavian chic and laid-back SoCal vibes), a happening rooftop pool and bar, a celebrity trainer-designed gym and a lobby lounge whose furniture you might want to take home with you. Once more amenities launch and some service issues are ironed out, this might become one of the best Hyatt options in town.
Getting there
If you’re flying into town, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is a 45–60 minute drive and around $40–$50 in a rideshare. Burbank (BUR) is another decent option that takes 30–45 minutes and costs between $25–$35 in a rideshare.
Booking details
The Thompson Hollywood has 174 rooms and just 16 suites (so save your World of Hyatt Globalist upgrades for another stay). Room rates start at around $260 per night, while suites start at $440 or so. As this is a Hyatt Category 6 hotel, award nights for standard rooms are 25,000 points. Expect to pay another $50 per night in taxes, as well as a $25 destination fee for complimentary coffee in the morning, use of the gym and pool, and discounts at some local attractions.
Standout features
- The gorgeous rooftop pool feels like a sun-splashed David Hockney painting come to life.
- The mix-and-match mid-century mod décor of the lobby lounge will provide you with all kinds of interior design inspiration.
- Rooms feel spacious and quiet in a part of town where hustle and bustle are the typical tempo.
- To a person, the staff are as welcoming and warm as the famous L.A. weather.
Drawbacks
- Like any new hotel, this one has a few kinks to work out, including well-meaning but hit-or-miss service at Bar Lis and the rooftop terrace.
- For now, the food choices are limited and room service is nonexistent.
- You might want to think twice before taking a stroll in the neighborhood at night due to issues with unhoused people and rowdy partygoers hopping between hotels.
The vibe
Hollywood’s newer hotels all have a similar outward aesthetic -- boxy exteriors with a few eye-catching elements. At the 11-story Thompson Hollywood, the industrial facade hides a twilight-y atrium with a living wall of plants. The fun of discovery continues inside as a nondescript reception area gives way to a lobby lounge replete with a mishmash of mid-century modern furnishings and artfully hung chandeliers courtesy of London-based architecture studio Tara Bernerd & Partners. The beautifully back-lit (if not yet functional) green onyx-topped cocktail bar is bound to become a mingling mainstay, though some guests might prefer the alfresco ambiance of the hotel’s rooftop venues.
The room
First, the downsides. Standard rooms are set along the building’s interior core, so you might want to keep those curtains drawn. The disadvantage of being “upgraded” to a city view room is that your view might, in fact, be of a parking lot...with noisy construction that starts early in the morning, though soundproofed windows do their job. As for positives, rooms are about 270–320 square feet and expertly laid out with 55-inch wall-mounted Chromecast-capable televisions, compact credenzas hiding well-stocked minibars and window-side chaises with marble-topped tables serving equally well as lounging corners and workspaces. Beds are dressed in crisp Egyptian cotton and framed by dual-level wood and glass nightstands as well as power ports with AC plugs and USB slots.
Efficiently arranged terrazzo bathrooms with single vanities, walk-in showers and separate W.C. areas continue the clean, streamlined look. Fragrant, full-sized D.S. & Durga Bowmakers bath amenities are just the cherry on top.
Food and drink
For now, the dining options are as limited as a Tik Tok-famous teenager’s acting range. There’s no room service yet, but chef Lincoln Carson is expected to open a modern French bistro called Mes Amis any day. In the meantime, guests are treated to continental breakfast at the rooftop bar, including muffins and croissants, fresh fruits, cereal and tea or coffee. (Breakfast is part of the destination fee at this property.)
Also on the roof level, Bar Lis takes its inspiration from the 1960s French Riviera with celebrity portraits and plenty of pastels, but postcard-worthy Hollywood Sign views and modern-day L.A. prices. Cocktails like the effervescent Summer Spritz ($16) with Casamigos tequila, Lillet Blanc, grapefruit juice, orange blossom water and soda are tongue-tingling accompaniments to the menu of small dishes, including a luscious smoked salmon dip with dill, trout roe and house-made potato chips ($19).
Amenities and service
Given the hotel’s small physical footprint, you won’t find a full-service spa or sprawling grounds. The second-floor fitness center was designed by celebrity trainer (and former L.A. Lakers director of strength and endurance) Gunnar Peterson, but its limited square footage means you might have to wait on equipment like the single Peloton bike. The real draw is the cute and uncrowded rooftop pool, where terrycloth-lined loungers are shaded by cheerfully striped umbrellas and potted olive trees and the views stretch from the Hollywood Hills to the Pacific. Attendants drop by periodically to disinfect the furniture and take food and drink orders from the adjacent bar. On the whole, service at the hotel is friendly but a housekeeping request went unanswered for several hours (and was apologized for at checkout), and high-touch surfaces, including elevator buttons, could stand more frequent wipe downs.
Out and about
Hollywood might not be your neighborhood of choice for a casual L.A. jaunt, but if you’re in town for business, its central location makes meetings on the Westside or downtown equally convenient…as long as you can avoid the tourist hordes checking out the stars on the nearby Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s also close to Universal Studios and popular hiking spots like Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park. At night, the surrounding streets end up mostly deserted, so you will probably want to take a rideshare, even to nearby destinations.
Accessibility
As a new build, the hotel has incorporated up-to-date accessibility features including wheelchair-friendly ramps in the public areas, elevator buttons and emergency call systems; strobe-light emergency indicators and smoke detectors; and ADA-compliant rooms with wide doors and lowered thermostat and light switches as well as peepholes and door latches. Pool attendants can quickly assemble a pool entry system upon request, too.
Checking out
According to Madonna, “Everybody comes to Hollywood.” But not everyone is lucky enough to stay, especially in a hotel that feels as cool as the new Thompson Hollywood. Once the lobby lounge and the hotel's signature restaurant, Mes Amis, are fully operational, it’s bound to become a new hot spot in the area. Perhaps that will justify the high points price of award nights. That said, you might opt for another part of town if you want walkability or to be closer to the beach.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.