The complementary bar snacks must be something new--can anyone report what these are? The food overall is excellent and unusual at the SLS so this may be a good benefit if the snacks are substantial.

i seem to recall reading about snacks a while ago.. dont recall good F&B reports for anything outside the main restaurant. although there might have also been good mixology?

Food in the lobby restaurant, pool area, and room service is "inspired by" the food at the Bazaar by Jose Andres (the main restaurant.) While it is not as good as the Bazaar, it is a step up from the usual food at a Sheraton/Westin/W.

The "club" lounge just opened about a week ago. It is for both Platinum and Gold SPG guests and is located between the guest lobby and the "visitors" lobby. Right now it seems to be only open from 11AM to 5PM though one person said Noon to 5PM. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, iced tea, cheese, little bread sticks, dried fruit, and two different appetizers (a jicama wrap and watermelon with a cherry tomato dipped in balsamic vinegar) were offered this weeked. It was a bit of a surprise when I was told I could wait in the Platinum Lounge until my room was ready. I thought at first they opened a new bar by that name. I asked again and was told that indeed they now have a lounge for SPG Platinum and Gold members. Seems like it used to be a wide hallway and still serves that purpose but there is a little sign welcoming SPG guests and there are some nice chairs to relax in as you eat/drink.

I wouldn't hesitate to bring MicroDUF to any of those places. Not much different to Bondi Beach.

I am trying to decide between the SLS and the Beverly Hilton.

Love the Beverly Hilton and their buffet breakfast.

What is the breakfast like at the SLS ? From what I have read Breakfast is held in the Tres (Private Guest Lobby). But I have read that the buffet selection is VERY small.

Any reviews from the experts in here please

staying here this weekend. clerk mentioned that there were 97 platinum guests and none got an upgrade to a suite. made me feel a bit better. guess everyone is trying to burn their FWNs (I know I am)!

hmmm, I am heading to LAX and was booked into the SLS. The rate for the top suite was great due to several SPG promotions. I then decided to check tripadvisor and saw bad review after another.

The main points were:
*paper thin walls;
* staff are completed disinterested in anyone other than celebrities, regardless of platinum status; and
* Entering and exiting the hotel is a nightmare, due to the nightclubs, particularly on a Fri/Sat night (when we would be arriving)

I always take tripadvisor with a grain of salt, but there were only a handful of positive reviews. As such I've booked into the Andaz with Diamond GP benefits.

Has anyone stayed at both properties and can offer a comparison?

I'm not a celebrity but I went to check out the room I had been assigned at the SLS (ended up keeping my room at the Andaz instead) and can offer the following insight based on my limited interaction with the staff at the SLS.

Pulled up and the valets were very prompt. I'm not a celebrity by any means and don't drive an outstandingly nice vehicle (Lexus IS-F), but they still took the time to greet me, talk to me about (general pleasantries about my day), and make conversation over minor recent damage caused by another valet in Las Vegas. Once inside, the gentleman at the front desk was very courteous and pleasant again greeting me, asking about my day, and welcoming me as a platinum guest. I explained the situation of needing to view the room before I committed to it and he happily took me up to the room to show it to me while explaining a few things about the hotel along the way. When I noted to him the setup wasn't going to work for what I needed, he offered to cancel the reservation without any penalty without my even asking. Based on this limited experience, I would say the service at the SLS is outstanding ^. I think a lot of people go into these kinds of places with the idea in their head already that the service will be snooty and then their mind forces them to find the actual level of service to be that way .

As for the Andaz, my review can be found here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt...-thread-2.html One thing not noted in my review was that I was originally booked for one night and kept extending my stay each morning for a total of five times [nights] (I'm a very spontaneous person when it comes to hotels) and the front desk staff had no problems granting a 3PM checkout on each of my "mornings of departure" so the 4PM late checkout point at the SLS shouldn't be a deciding factor.

Been to Andaz (former West Hollywood Hyatt) numerous times especially under the old name. Spent a weekend at the SLS couple of weeks back.

You were going to book a "top suite at the SLS" but then settled to Andaz that to my knowledge only has a one suite. Somewhat confusing. What did you actually book at the Andaz and what are your expected Diamond benefits beyond free internet and breakfast?

Thanks for the insight. I managed to get the Premier Suite on the top floor for around $585/night with one night free, based on a SPG offer.

Was able to book a standard room at the Andaz on a AAA promo rate for about $660 for the entire stay, and have an upgrade confirmed to a Corner Deluxe Room, with breakfast, free internet and they have also offered a guaranteed late check out. So thought it would be a good way to save some money.

The Andaz location of Weho also was convincing. I guess I think the SLS would have been perfect for me, I watch The Hills afterall, I wasn't so sure my parter who is ten years older would get it, or enjoy the vibe. e.g. I can deal with young people partying in a hotel on a Friday night, but perhaps not once you've stepped off a 24 hour flight from Sydney.

I guess you're worried about noise.

I've not been to the SLS (will be in about 2 weeks) but have been to the Andaz (as such once) and the Hyatt West Hollywood quite a few times.

My opinion that up the in room, as SLS it might depend on your room location whether you'll hear the lobby bar scene. At Andaz, with the rooms facing Sunset (including all Corner Deluxe) you'll hear the noise from Sunset - lots of "partiers" walking by and making a lot of noise.

It was hectic around the valet area/entrance on Saturday night (of course!), but once they know you're hotel guests trying to check-in (vs. restaurant/bar guests), these attendants guide you to the side to take care of your car right away.

Check-in was smooth and the agent offered 4pm check-out w/o asking.

Stopped by SPG Lounge where a couple of appetizers and cheese selection + non-alcohol drinks were available. There was a sign of "SPG Lounge" but there were no attendants to check who you are, so I guess anyone could walk in to use it if you know the existence.

Re: Pool area on the 6th floor. It was interesting to see the chair availability varies depends on who you talk to. Apparently you could also negotiate the price for cabana sections. Oh...there was an incident while I was there. This couple brought their 4 young kids. After they left, there was something left on the bottom of the pool (the shallower pool with chair and bed)... They had to close the pool to clean it...

Employees were all friendly/professional and I did not encounter the attitude...

Thanks for the help gents. I really want to try the glam SLS so perhaps we'll swing by for a drink or a meal and consider it next time. It would appear from the comments on here that the introduction of the lounge demonstrates the hotel is trying to improve service to hotel guests and elites which is always a plus.

Spent 2 free weekend nights at SLS over the weekend and loved it. The food at the Bazaar was excellent, and all of the staff I encountered at the hotel were excellent as well. No problems w/ 4pm checkout.

The room itself was amazing, and to those who have complained about the rooms being too dark, the light switches all have dimmers on them which may not be obvious. I myself found the lighting to be very near perfect... very sexy.

No real complaints, other than parking was expensive, and it was way too easy to spend a lot of $$ at the bar and restaurant.