We have just come back from a trip round California and Nevada, so stayed at many hotels on the way.

On our return to LA we had booked to stay at the Best Western on Sunset (as we had stayed on sunset before in the Grafton, but like to try different hotels and there are bars and clubs close to the hotels). On check in the guy behind the desk, was telling us how tired he was (not what you want to hear when you have been travelling all day). He also seemed disinterested. Lobby didn't make any impression. We always take our own luggage to our rooms, but he insisted that the bell boy take it. We requested a poolside non smoking room, however we were not given a poolside room but one down the back stairs and the room was quite small and smelt bad, damp and smoke mixed and was very dark and dreary and run down. Also the stairs were on the side of the room and you could hear people banging up and down them. When the bags arrived in the room my friend’s wheel had been yanked off. We asked the Bell boy but he played dumb.

We went straight to reception to tell the guy the room was not up to any standard (we travel quite a bit and use budget accommodation and 4* accommodation, but you know a bad room when you see one). Plus our bags that he insisted they move for us now had a broken wheel hanging off. He proceeded to say that yes LAX do man handle them. We hadn't just flown in from LAX, but had been travelling around for 2 weeks and moving our own bags. It was fine when we left him with it 2 minutes ago. He had no explaination and said we would need to take it up with management in the morning. He couldn't give us another room as they were full and said if we had wanted a poolside we should have checked in earlier. (Check in is at 4pm and we were checking in at 8pm). We told him we were very disappointed and that first impressions hadn't been very good. He did offer that we didn't have to stay and we could check out and wouldn't be charged.

We checked out and went to stay at the Ramada Plaza on Santa Monica - where we had stayed three days previous. The Ramada doesn't get great reviews on trip advisor. But we had no problem with it and stayed in 3 different rooms over a period of time (checking in and out). All of the rooms were large, seating area's, big clean bathrooms, clean sheets and pillows - I would reccomend the Ramada.

Back to the Best Western, the only thing it did have going for it that I could see was the pool area. Lovely court yard setting, with nice beds, towels and flower baskets all round. Also is in a good location on Sunset Blvd. However if wanting to stay on Sunset I would try the Grafton. I have stayed there and it was good clean rooms and also had a nice pool with a view downtown.

I'm an award-winning film director who doesn't live in LA for many reasons. I must travel there periodically and in all the years I've never stayed at the Best Western Sunset Plaza -- until now. I must say it was the BEST hotel experience I've ever had in LA. Most people obsessed with being trendy will want to stay at the Standard or the Grafton down the street, or the Argyle (which is now called The Sunset Tower) next door. (Please avoid the Hyatt, which is across the street, it's really overrated and a horrible hotel). But really, those hotels have EXACTLY the same to offer that the Best Western Sunset Plaza has to offer. And the BW is $150 (AAA rate)! That's half as much as all the other nearby hotels. Some people might want the luxury of staying in a hotel with a restaurant. Well, it took me the same amount of time to walk next door to the Argyle (Sunset Tower) restaurant and bar (for true champagne served by the glass) as it would have had I stayed inside that hotel and taken the elevator downstairs. I'm not exaggerating here. The hotel is literally next door. If you use Google Earth, you can also see that the BW pool is larger than the pools at the Standard AND the Argyle. Now, mark my words: you will want a room that either opens onto the courtyard (the fresh flowers and pool are what make the Oasis); or better yet, ask for a room that has doors that open directly onto the courtyard. When I tried to reserve one of those rooms, the front desk told me rooms that open directly onto the courtyard were "first come first serve." When I arrived, however, they told me those rooms cost $170 or something. I thought that was pretty gross and stupid on their part. So I checked in without paying extra for that room. When I got to the room, which was on the 3rd floor, it was a double bed. So I went right back tot he front desk and asked for another room (my reservation was for a King room). The second room they gave me had a window facing the concrete wall of the Argyle next door (literally 4 feet from the window). I didn't like that restricted air flow, and no view, so I went back to the front desk and went ahead with the pricer room with doors that open directly onto the patio courtyard. It was heaven. Sure, the interior design is pretty plain (like a furniture showroom) and tacky, but it doesn't matter. After a long day of doing meetings and casting sessions, I was so thankful to have the ability to walk outside and sit on the patio. Most of the time, no one else was there. It felt private and relaxing. Another great thing is that the AC in the room will actually cool the room to 65 degrees. It's important for me to sleep well. The beds were fine. Pillows were fine. All in all, I highly reccommend this hotel to anyone. But make sure you have the right kind of room, or it might be a really bad stay. (Also, for those of you interested in a spa, and willing to walk like in New York: you can walk down the street to the Virgin Megacenter where Burke Williams is located and get massage or linen wrap treatments. I walked down there three days in a row from the hotel and it was awesome. In the other direction, about as far, is the Sunset Plaza shopping area with restaurants for lunch.)

Great Hotel with excellent service. Excellent location to restaurants and the original comedy club. I highly recommend this hotel for it's cleanliness, beautiful stlye, perfect pool with fantastic gardening. I wish I could have stayed longer than one day.

Parking is a not so easy but it is very safe. High-Speed internet is available.

We only stayed at the BW on Sunset for 1 night but really enjoyed our stay. Rooms were exceptionally clean and comfortable for the price and location. Pool area was very attractive, almost European in ambience, lots of flowers and some rooms opened out onto the pool area or had French Balconies. Pool is heated so good for cooler months too. Continental breakfast was included and had a very good selection. Parking was $10 for overnight. Loads of great restaurants in walking distance and only a few doors down from the House of Blues (which was why we chose this hotel as we were going to a concert there). Would not hesitate to recommend - good for families.