Summary: I like this hotel, but I’m unusual.

Location: Far, far away from Applebee’s, Outback Steakhouse and Denny’s. Well, about as far as you can get in the greater Los Angeles area. The hotel is located in a multi-ethnic, Asian area, where English is an afterthought on those business signs where it appears at all. The area is clean, well-kept and feels safe, if a bit dis-orienting. If you’re looking for home-away-from home and your home is middle America, this probably isn’t for you. There is lots of commerce and restaurant choice within an easy walk. Vegetarians will be challenged.

Arrival and Check-In: The grounds are urban-attractive, with a courtyard visible from various sites on the hotel grounds (including one of my rooms). There’s parking under the hotel for US$5 a night. The front desk was ready for me after my on-line check-ins. Everyone was friendly. I didn’t pose any particular challenges, but they didn’t mess anything up.

Room: Pretty standard for a Hilton. The hues ran toward the dark side in the rooms, which left the room feeling inadequately lit. Fine bed and bedding. Lots of towels. My non-suite room had a desk and chair, plus a stuffed chair and ottoman. Ample space.

Facilities: Big indoor pool and one of those hot, in-ground swirly tubs. (Don’t know what they’re called.) It’s like a competition pool, with lanes. Rectangular. Fine gym with a couple of ellipticals, bikes and treadmills, plus weights and mats and benches. Towels and headphone for use with the cardio equipment built-in televisions. Ventilation was good, though the humidity ran high, with the pool in the next room. (If you’ve been to the Hilton in Salt Lake City, you know.)

HHonors Diamond Treatment: Great. I was upgraded to a suite for each of my three, one-night stays, though I declined the upgrade once, just to try a regular room. There were some drink vouchers and perhaps vouchers for snacks or hors d’oeuvres; I didn’t use them. I did, however, use the full breakfast buffet voucher. Wow. I’m vegetarian, so my choices were “the usual”, fruit and boxes of cereal. There was also the usual hot food – pancakes, oatmeal, French toast, potatoes, bacon, eggs. (Here’s where it gets interesting.) Green salad, some dim sum items, pot stickers(?), dumplings, various Asian dishes and condiments. Attentive (but not overbearing) service. Fine coffee, and they left the carafe on my table. My parking was “comped”, presumably based on status.

Bummers: All minor. I was unable to change my room from the default during on-line check-in. The front desk made the change smoothly. It felt weird to be greeted by name before I checked in. (Like “Here comes our Caucasian guest…”) At check-in, you’ll get a parking tag for your car…which means you’ll be going back to the garage under the hotel before you go to your room.