1310 S Gramercy Place, Los Angeles, CA 90019 Bus 30, 31, 330 (MTA; stop: Pico); 4, 33, 333, 434, 550 (MTA; stop: St Andrews) Metro Wilshire/Western Tel (323) 733 6168 Websitewww.1310gramercy.com
BUG Review
Set in a gorgeous villa in the Arlington Heights area of Mid-Wilshire, Gramercy Place is the type of place backpackers dream about after long stints in cramped, dingy old dorms. It actually smells like flowers in there, and with three fully-equipped kitchens, a relaxing patio/garden area, free internet access (including Wi-Fi access throughout the hostel including outdoor areas) and a plush television room, it has everything a hostel needs, while feeling more like a retreat. The facilities are more impressive when you consider that the hostel only sleeps 50. It may not be party central, but in Los Angeles there are plenty of parties going on elsewhere, and it could be just the spot to rest your head after a long night. Prices are only slightly above the average for LA, and well worth it if you don’t mind the location in a residential neighbourhood near Koreatown. The hostel caters mostly to long term guests so it probably isn’t worth considering unless you’re planning on staying a week or longer.
Price Dorm bed $182 per week Prices are in US dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Pros:
It felt like they belonged. Having use of the BBQ was great, guest all got together and shared.
Cons:
Some guest often left there dirty dishes. Unfortunate when you wanted to use the kitchen next.
Halstan
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(4)
I would recommend staying at Gramercy to more of my friends. It was like they said, "Your Home Away From Home" The kitchen was big and supplied with what you needed. Maria the cleaning lady was on top of everything. She really works hard to keep the place beautiful. We BBQ and had a wonderful time with others. The international students do nothing but add to the place.
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(Review ID: 12723)
The place to lay your head when in the city of angels, May 13, 2009
Pros:
Character, price and accessibility
Cons:
If you can't live anywhere that isn't new construction, this great historical building isn't for you
arielwest
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
I'm planning my next trip down to LA this summer and looking forward to staying at Gramercy Place (I've been coming here every visit for the last several years). It's meticulously maintained and the needs of guests are looked after by the helpful management staff. I particularly enjoy the outdoor common areas and the unassuming atmosphere. It's not your typical hostel, there are often foreign students staying for extended visits or folks relocating, looking for a safe and clean place to stay till they land something more permanent. Typical protocol for hostel stays apply though: always watch your stuff, this isn't your grandmother's house you're crashing at. It's a big place with lots of great people in and out and the occasional bad apple.
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(Review ID: 12726)
I got more than expected or hoped for..., May 13, 2009
Pros:
Residents, bathroom in my room, staff and the patio area (divine)
Cons:
No complaints
soulmama3
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
I found this place quite by chance and was "nervous" about staying in a hostel because I had my young daughter with me. Saw the ad online---along with a few pictures---and figured I would "take a chance". What great luck!! The pictures and description (in my opinion) don't really do Gramercy Place justice. It was soooo much nicer than I expected!!! Our first night there, we were invited to join the residents on our floor for a family-style italian dinner cooked by our hallmates. What a welcome!! And my daughter has benefited greatly from meeting so many people from places that she's only read about (Israel, Spain, Colombia). My favorite moment: watching my 10 year old tutoring and helping a student from Spain with her English. Priceless. I had a particularly special event happen while I was there. I celebrated a very BIG :-) birthday. I was treated to an evening of food, cake and wine prepared and purchased by some of the staff and residents of Gramercy Place. I smile everytime I think about it. What a great night!I have a newfound love for this area. Koreatown is yummy---full of diverse and satisfying food choices. I have made friends and built relationships that are life-long and I know it's only because we came here to stay. Thank you!!!
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(Review ID: 12722)
very welcoming, safe and comfortable stay, May 12, 2009
Pros:
The staff and management are kind and efficient, the atmosphere incredible and relaxing
Cons:
no complaints - period
grantners@hotmail.co
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(5)
This is what a hostel stay should be like. After years of backpacking around three different continents and staying in hostels all over, in Los Angeles, I find the perfect hostel. The reception has more of an open office feel with comfortable seats while checking in/out. The managers are proficient and empathetic towards weary travelers. The kitchen is excellent and clean. I was able to store my food, label it, and trust that it remained there. The rooms have excellent, expensive furniture. This is the kind of hostel I'd love to stay at with my daughter to give her a feel of what international backpacking is all about.
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(Review ID: 12643)
People upstairs are nerdy and weird - staff is strange and do no really care about problems there., February 12, 2009
Pros:
The men residents are sexy!
Cons:
The managers are unresponsive and self-absorbed; the hired help have bad attitudes. Thefts?
elliot
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(1)
The men residents here are great, except for the guys upstairs - no one really knows them and they act apart and do not associate with the rest. The men downstairs are are all really nice. Some of the female residents seem totally bizarre.
There may have been some thefts in the house, and you should never leave your stuff around. Long term residents have keys to the rooms, so be careful!! The managers don't do much about that- they just want your money.The lady managers and the hired help have strange ways of dealing with people and are not very concerned or very nice, and the cleaning lady is loco. The staff is a bit too intrusive into peoples rooms or otherwise seem pushy or absorbed into themselves. The fix it man gives all the women the eye and makes them uncomfortable, and he mad dogs the men. I would consider a different hostel until the management changes. :
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(Review ID: 12634)
Out of Touch with the Times and a Bit Hostile - No Privacy, February 7, 2009
Pros:
Great back Patio
Cons:
Bad Technolology and a Lack of Concern Re Same
Jerry
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
Set in an old and dangerous part of LA, Gramercy is of course good compared to a dingy old dorm room - but what isn't? Not too many backpackers in this area.It smells ok inside, but you will not be permitted to use 2 out of the 3 kitchens - you will literally be locked out and scolded by other resident if you use them, but you will generally never even meet the people from the other part of the "house" - and there is a bit of a mystery as to why. It is always freezing in the house in winter and, when the heat is on, it is poorly disributed - warm in one part of the place and freezing in another. The TV room was always like a freezer in any case. I am told the place boils in summer.The TV can be broken for weeks at a time and -real bummer - the Computers do not have the most normal programs and software on them; You can't do basic stuff on there such as look at your travel photos or videos, even though they advertise that there are free computers. The staff is alternatively remote and at times downright hostile and/or nosy, especially if you've been there more than a few days or weeks - you might get scolded or put on their "bad" list and the younger one definitely has some some attitude and seems a bit socially insecure; don't complain or ask too many questions of her as she is often "busy" doing important things. The office people leave early all the time and it seems like a job for them to be there. The cleaning lady is downright rude and she will not clean your room well unless you tip her (and there are signs around telling you to tip her!) and she will yell out loudly in a foreign language to the other staff when you are sleeping, blast foreign music radio stations, and come in your room while you are in bed and start vacuuming.
The older staff lady likes to leave a lot of notes around and make a big deal out of cleaning up when she is there; she may also come into your room and critique your arrangement of things or move your belongings around when you are gone, so be careful if you've purchased fragile items in town or want to keep your personal items around. They like to place as many people in a room as possible. The TV room is usually monopolized by the same people over and over again. Also, the house is divided into different cliches and there are some downright rude, older, long-term residents. Some of their voices are really loud and will reach to your room, and they are unkind to others based upon their conversations.Wi-Fi will defintely not reach into your room, even though it would be easy to fix and be warned, if you don't have your own laptop - the hous computers are not kept up except for "e-mail" purposes, and you will not be able to send out or keep up your resume - staff is strangely unconcerned with keeping up with other hostels in that regard. A bit expensive compared to other hostels considering what you get. Be careful of the neighborhood as people get robbed all the time, it is dirty and parking is truly a nightmare.The front and back areas are nice and there is a library with a lot of books.
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(Review ID: 7501)
this place is amazing!!! you get to see all the different cultures and learn alot of new things!, January 24, 2008
Pros:
the staff is amazing, and everything is always clean, when i say always i mean always!!
Cons:
i cant say anything bad about this place cause ist awsome!
stlouisdd1
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
i moved out here from florida and found this place online, ths place is truly a blessing. like i said everyone here is awsome! and everything is very clean! and the prices are low! how can you beat all that?
Pros:
I loved the atmosphere, the staff, the amenities, the location.
Cons:
hmmm.. None. If there's any problem, the staff is quick to address it!
doenutz
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
This is the BEST place in Los Angeles!! I've stayed here twice and always have my 'out-of-town' guest stay here, too! The amenities are wonderful, the rooms are clean and bright, the staff is extremely helpful and polite, the atmosphere is great, it's centrally located, very comfortable, and best of all... because it is a shared environment, it's a great place for networking and making friends! I've made some great connections, friends and associates through Gramercy Place. Whether you are just passing through, or making LA your home, Gramercy Place offers a temporary comfortable atmosphere for you to rest your head!!
This place is unique, a rare gem!
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(Review ID: 7499)
Charming place for travellers in LA, January 22, 2008
Pros:
Facilities, People, Price...
Cons:
The near environment
f-guillaume1985
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
A very helpful place when you want to settle down in LA.
People are just great and so pleasant.
Even if the area is not amazing, the building is so charming & peaceful.
Amazing facilities, everything is made to make you stay as long as possible.
It's been a real pleasur to stay at Gramercy Place !
Pros:
clean, friendly environment, affordable
Cons:
the immediate neighborhood is not the greatest
lauraiscool
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
Gramercy Place is a great place to stay for a short time, or a long time. I was in between apartments in Los Angeles and found Gramercy a wonderful and affordable alternative to staying in a hotel. It's easy to get to downtown LA, Hollywood, and the west side because it is centrally located.
On a side note, at the Chateau du Gramercy, you'll meet the most interesting people from all walks of life. For example, I met a movie producer, a British film and tv actor, a blind stand-up comedian, a deejay, a clock maker, a professional extra, a really old lady, and several exchange students! So, whether you come for a few nights or stay for a few months, you will not be disappointed.
The fix it man gives all the women the eye and makes them uncomfortable, and he mad dogs the men. I would consider a different hostel until the management changes. :
