Given the provenance of this property, it’s understandable why the Ramada Plaza has become the de facto host hotel for every major LGBT weekend in West Hollywood. After all, this is where the Tropicana Motel once stood, the famed rock-and-roll refuge with the black-tiled swimming pool. “The Trop” was where Jim Morrison lived, as well as Tom Waits, and where Andy Warhol filmed “Heat” and where Janis Joplin partied (and died), and where other residents included Blondie, Led Zeppelin, Springsteen, Sam Shepard, the Clash, the Beach Boys, Elvis Costello, and Guns and Roses. In other words, this is hallowed ground for those who like to burn the midnight oil.
Built in the late Eighties, the Ramada Plaza was completely renovated in 2008, winning both the Ramada Presidents Award, as well as the Property of the Year award for several years running. Well-managed, with an attentive and convivial staff, the hotel is perfectly located on Santa Monica, in the heart of what was once fondly referred to as “Boystown” – and location would be enough to merit a stay here, but the loft suites at Ramada Plaza are another very good reason to make a reservation.
Furnished in a sleek West Elm style, the Ramada Plaza’s duplex loft suites are large, with dark wood floors throughout and a carpeted spiral staircase leading to a capacious loft topped by a barrel ceiling. There’s no chance of hitting your head on a ceiling that is easily 30 feet high – and all that height creates a wonderful airy feeling, not unlike life in a treehouse. The large bed and piles of pillows insure that you’ll be the star of your own Hollywood dreams.
Upstairs of James Dean Suite (Source: MRNY)
With two 42″ HDTVs, coffeemaker, refrigerator, and complimentary wireless, the loft suites are made for modern life. It’s as easy to work here as it is to entertain, thanks to sitting areas on both levels, as well as a wet bar and desk – and a photo wall mural (ours was James Dean – of course…)
You can work at the desk downstairs, take a swim in the afternoon at the hotel’s heated outdoor pool, linger on the sundeck, and then return to your suite for a movie night, upstairs in your loft screening room. From the outside balcony, you can toast to the moon – or beckon to the boys lingering along the boulevard.
During the weekend that we were in residence, a SOLD-OUT sign remained atop the reception desk each night. This was Labor Day weekend, a three-night party weekend, and the boys were everywhere. In spite of complete occupancy, the hotel remained quiet and clean throughout the weekend. After all, gay boys prefer to throw back cocktails than to throw guitars into the pool.
Apart from the pool and sundeck, on-site outlets include a Starbucks, Kitchen 24 (open all day and night), Wells Fargo, and O Burger. All this – and daily maid service. Is it any wonder Tom Waits moved in when this was “the Trop”? Buy yourself some flowers and wine at Trader Joe’s on the next block – and make this suite your new West Hollywood home.
