We stayed here in August and I will never stay here again. The rooms and hallways had a horrible smell....the shower had mould in the corners and the brights orange tiles were terrible. The beds were not that great either.

The cleaning staff was very friendly and the valet drivers were also pretty good. Actually there was a guy at the front desk who ws very nice as well but there was nother guy at the front desk was brutal. I tried to have a conversation telling him that there was blood all over our ironing board and that we wanted a new one and that we also needed more hangers and he didn't even look at me once or even acknowledge that our conversation was over. I just stood there and looked at him for a few seconds to see if he would look up but of course he didn't and finally I said "ok?????"

We chose not to eat the restaurant because we figured the rest of the hotel isn't clean so the kitchen is probably even worse.

The bar was too over crowded...there was a sign that said maximum occupancy 115 (maybe 150) but there must have been at least 300 people down there. It was nearly impossible to get a drink...the bartender served everyone around us many times and just ignored us so we left.

This hotel is definitely NOT worth the money they are asking.

The location is the best if you are for night out or good restaurant. The hotel has 24 hours room service. The restaurant is very good. There is a hidden lodge/bar cool hang out inside the restaurant, check it out. Check-in a poolside room if you like a party or if you want peace and quiet, third floor and up.

If you are a fan of quirky design and cool music then The Standard is a good choice. I have stayed at this hotel twice and have enjoyed it every time - so much so that I am planning a third visit!

For $135 a night you get a room with CD player, good TV, a massive bed and unfortunately, no wardrobe - and when you are here for two weeks at a time that is a problem!

But what attracted me and what is by far the biggest selling point is the location. The Standard may not have the cache that it once did but you can still hang out in the lobby, by the pool and in the two bars and be amongst LA's wannabe-cool crowd, overhearing their conversations about their, like, totally, like awesome agents and scripts... Best of all is the fact that by staying here you don't have to depend on a car...it is so easy to walk everywhere - the Marmont, the Sky Bar, Coffee Bean, Sunset Plaza and, if you want to get in your cardio, even Melrose and the Beverly Center.

So The Standard is well above average....the staff are good-looking and efficient, its good value for money and still manages to cultivate a good scene on Sunset...I chose not to give it an "Excellent" because of the aforementioned wardrobe problem, the fact that sometimes, when you want to sleep, the hotel can be too noisy...but despite that it is, all in all, a good hotel.

I travel for business a lot and often stay at the Standard on Sunset (prob logged 60-70 nites there in last two years), as recently as July 2004. I like the place. The 24-hr room service is often delicious, the big platform beds are comfortable, the minimalist/modern design (furnishings on an Ikea budget, for sure) works for me.

The TV/with VCRs are big, the cable chs include a bunch of news and sports, HBO, and adult movies, the Sony CD/stereo fills the room with sound, the towels are oversized and cushy, they have hi-speed Internet access in rooms... Minibars, although overpriced, are stocked with a varied selection of booze, energy drinks and flavored waters. They've added a spa, now supply robes and irons, the well-coiffed wanna-be actor/model types on staff are usually helpful and pleasant. Housekeeping is respectful and thorough.

Special requests and probs are quickly handled. The valets deal with parking as best they can, but still maintain that annoying "dude, where's my car?" attitude at times - stepping out of a Porsche 911, you'll be greeted and treated differently than the couple stepping out of a nondescript Ford. This is no shock, its LA! - everyone's working on a script, working on their abs or working on a tan... and kissing the butt of every casting agent!

Like any hotel in a major city, you have to weigh a bunch of varying factors to decide what'll work for you... Weekends are insane for traffic along Sunset, rooms over the Blvd, even with the balcony door closed, can be loud. Rooms over the patio/pool are more quiet and offer great views of LA lights, but you'll have to listen to multi-tiered murmurs of conversations of the hip and fabulous 20-somethings drinking below until 1am.

The Standard may be best for vacationing folks who can deal with the traffic and party atmosphere in the lobby/pool area. If on holiday looking for a place you can park your stuff, head out to restaurants and bars (knowing you'll be able to have a nitecap back at the hotel), the Standard should do you fine. Its a great place to meet locals willing to negotiate Sunset Blvd gridlock to visit you.

Tips: the higher numbered rooms are preferred, the suites are great and highly recommended; location is perfect for access to West Hollywood nightlife both straight and gay. You can walk down the hill to a high-end supermarket (if on a budget), walk along Sunset to good (but expensive) restaurants, trendy bars, shopping and celeb-watching.