The Standard, Hollywood

Designed to appeal to the under-35 "it" crowd, André Balazs's swank West Hollywood neo-motel is sometimes absurd, sometimes brilliant, and always provocative (not to mention crowded!). It's a scene worthy of its Sunset Strip location: shag carpeting on the lobby ceiling, blue AstroTurf around the swimming pool, a DJ spinning ambient sounds while a performance artist showing more skin than talent poses in a display case behind the check-in desk -- this place is definitely left of center. But look past the retro clutter and often-raucous party scene, and you'll find a level of service more often associated with hotels costing twice as much. Constructed from the bones of a vintage 1964 motel, it boasts comfortably sized rooms outfitted with cobalt blue indoor-outdoor carpeting, silver beanbag chairs, and Warhol's poppy-print curtains, plus private balconies, and minibars whose contents include goodies like sake, condoms, and animal crackers. On the downside, the cheapest rooms face noisy Sunset Boulevard, and the relentless scene can get tiring if you're not into it. Note: The 12-story Downtown Standard, 550 S. Flower St. (tel. 213/892-8080), brings a similar dose of retro-future style and cool attitude to Downtown. It's worth visiting just to check out the retro-glam rooftop bar with its vibrating water-bed pleasure pods, movies projected onto neighboring buildings, and hot waitstaff.

Facilities:
24-hr. coffee shop; poolside cafe; bar/lounge; concierge; access to nearby health club ($16 per day); outdoor heated pool; room service

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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