Looking for a great spot to stay after seeing your favorite band in concert or taking a tour of L.A.’s hottest clubs and venues? A new boutique hotel is cashing in on West Hollywood’s rock ‘n’ roll vibe. Opened in April 2022, Hotel Ziggy is a tribute to the city’s musical history.
West Hollywood has a long and celebrated history when it comes to rock ’n’ roll — and the beating heart of its live music scene is the Sunset Strip. From the 1960s when the Doors and Led Zeppelin rocked the Strip to the heyday of ’80s hair metal, this sometimes infamous but always famous road has influenced music around the world.
Hotel Ziggy is ideally situated on the Sunset Strip. Part of Springboard Hospitality, it is housed in the former location of The Grafton hotel. Less than a mile to the west are the world-famous venues Whisky A Go Go, The Viper Room, and The Roxy Theatre. To the east are The Comedy Store, the Trocadero, and the iconic Chateau Marmont.
A collection of albums and a turntable are on display behind the front desk, adding to the rock ‘n’ roll vibe.
Stay Like a Rock Star at Hotel Ziggy
The influence of the local music scene is evident from the minute your Lyft pulls up outside. The hotel also offers valet parking for those who prefer to drive themselves. A psychedelic mural snakes around the front entrance, and the glass doors display the hotel’s motto: Free the Music. Even the name is a nod to one of the most influential musicians in history: David Bowie, aka Ziggy Stardust. Look closely at the mural, and you’ll spy his face peeking out from behind the hotel’s name.
Inside, the look is an informal, eclectic mix of modern and boho retro. The front desk is unassuming and blends in with the decor. Behind it is a wall of albums and a turntable. The hotel’s website says that guests have access to the collection, and photos on the site show record players in some rooms. The service is friendly, and while the hotel markets to a younger crowd, guests of all ages milled about.
Three floors of rooms — 108 total — are built into the Hollywood hillside. They drop down to wrap in a U-shape around a saltwater pool. On booking, I asked for a quiet room. Loud music is pumped over the pool deck throughout the day, so rooms overlooking the pool can be noisy. “Swim Up” rooms on the first floor open directly to the pool, making them the ultimate party destination.
My standard room was clean and bright. It featured a king-size bed, corner sofa, walls of mirrors, a mural in muted hues, wood floors and an exceptionally large closet. While the room included a mini fridge and safe, there was no in-room coffee machine. Instead, coffee service is provided in the morning in the lobby. The bathroom had a walk-in shower and Malin + Goetz toiletries.
Ready for a Closeup
Just about every space in Hotel Ziggy is designed with Instagram and Tik Tok in mind. In the lobby lounge, floor-to-ceiling rock memorabilia is complemented by glowing neon signage. A bold technicolor mural decorates an entire three-story wall alongside the pool. And while the hotel touts its “Shred Shed” as a space for guests to create their own No. 1 hits, the shed is actually just a cabinet full of low-end instruments — perfect to use as props for fun social media posts.
Just off the lobby lounge is an intimate performance venue called “Backbeat.” More memorabilia and murals decorate the space, which hosts local musicians every Sunday night.
To the left of the lobby is B-Side Pizza, a hip lounge with table seating, plush sofas, and a bar counter. It offers craft cocktails, beer, pizza, burgers, salads, and other bar foods, as well as breakfast items.
If you’re looking for a cozy place to relax and enjoy a nightcap, B-Side is the place to be. But I would forgo the pizza. A 10-inch pie, which tasted like a frozen pizza, is $22, plus tax and tip. For a late-night snack, head across the street to the Pink Dot Market, where you can get fresh-made pizza, sandwiches, and more, or stop at Joe’s Pizza, a quick four-minute walk from the hotel.
Booking a Stay at Hotel Ziggy
Rooms at Hotel Ziggy start at about $250 per night and include free Wi-Fi. There’s a $28 per night urban amenities fee, as well as a plethora of California taxes and fees. My room total for two nights was $446. With taxes and fees (and $30 for the pizza), the total was $630. The hotel frequently offers deals on its website.
You can also check rates at Booking.com.
