SMALLS DROPS BY THE HOLLYWOOD TOWER HOTEL

My feet were killing me. I had walked a long ways to get here, but what stood before me made the pain completely worth it. A symbol of the bygone days of Hollywood, a relic from a lost era....The Hollywood Tower Hotel.

Opened in 1917, The Hollywood Tower Hotel used to be the it spot for movie stars of the time, a beacon for the Hollywood elite. It's popularity would be tragically short lived but the Hollywood Tower Hotel would live on in infamy forever. In 1959, during a Hollywood party an intense storm hit Hollywood, and The Hollywood Tower Hotel was struck by lightning. The elevators were lost during the strike as well as a whole floor of the hotel along with some Hollywood guests that just happened to be riding in one of the elevators, which crashed. Their bodies were never recovered. Shortly afterwards, the Hollywood Tower Hotel was condemned...it seemed that a Hollywood Icon would remain shuttered forever, looking down on the changing area like a ghost of the past.

Luckily, as fate would have it, a wealthy landowner was able to buy the Hotel and successfully re-opened the Hotel in 1994. the Hollywood Tower Hotel was back in business again.

Of course, I could never resist the chance to stay in a place with such a rich history and that played host to one of the most tragic events to ever hit Hollywood, so last year I made my reservation and booked a room in the Hotel. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed. The whole Hotel, exterior and interior have been kept intact from the way it was all the way back when the hotel first opened...the effect is absolutely stunning. When you step foot into the hotel it's almost as if you are stepping back in time.

The rooms are stocked with all the usual amenities (shampoo, towels, TV). The beds are comfortable, and there is room service provided. The staff on hand at the hotel are courteous and eager to help, I have to give a shout-out to the bellhops at the hotel...they go above and beyond in the call of duty. The Hotel also has some tennis courts, a pool, and some gardens...all of which are worth your time should you choose to visit them.

When you leave, you are given a free certificate stating that you were a guest at the hotel on whatever date you arrived. The guest and staff made my visit a more than pleasant one and made it clear that I was welcome back if ever I should choose to return.

A neat thing about the hotel that I have to point out is that, after the famous storm of '39 the main elevators were rendered inoperable and despite the new managements best efforts it seems that they shall remain this way. This means that in order to reach your room, guests will have to take the maintenance Service Elevators which more than do the job. They may not look as pretty, but they definitely get the job done. It helps to remind you that, despite it's former glory, that the road to get where the hotel is today was not necessarily an easy one.

So, I have to give The Hollywood Tower Hotel 5 Stars and my shining recommendation. So, next time you are in the Hollywood area, please do drop in to The Hollywood Tower Hotel. The staff is DYING to satisfy your every need, and there is usually a vacancy or two available.