Loews Hollywood Hotel has been undergoing a $31 million renovation since April 2013, ever since being rebranded from the old Renaissance hotel in June 2012. While the Renaissance was tired and faded, the renovation of Loews Hollywood Hotel has resulted in a fresh, modern hotel perfectly located in the heart of Hollywood. It’ll officially open in April 2014 and is nestled in the Hollywood and Highland complex that’s also home to the adjacent Dolby Theater, where the Academy Awards take place. In fact, I stayed there just a few days after the celebrities graced its halls following their Oscar triumphs. (One of the ballrooms at Loews Hollywood Hotel was used as a press room for winners.)

I was at Loews Hollywood Hotel to check out the launch of the brand new lobby bar H2, which features cool amenities like an electrical plug for every seat at the bar. On the night we visited, a pianist was playing tunes, the game was on the big screen (Which game? Beats me!), and executive chef Mark Ching provided mouthwatering appetizers like Corned Beef and Potato Cake with Spinach in White Balsamic Sauce, Lobster Pronto Pups with Chipotle Remoulade, Donut Pastrami sliders, and Apple Pie Tacos. Yummy, right?

Meanwhile, the Loews Hollywood Hotel itself is all about location, location, location. You’re in the Hollywood and Highland complex, next door to Jimmy Kimmel Live, adjacent to The Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a stone’s toss away from the Chinese Theater, Pantages, the Hollywood sign, and the Hollywood Hills (the last two have killer views from some of the hotel rooms).

The hotel has a cool new partnership with Fiat, too. Guests will have Fiats available to borrow for free for up to three hours each day: either the Fiat 500L, the Fiat Cabrio, or the electric Fiat 500e.

And the views? Phew! This is Hollywood at its finest.

The living room of our suite

Not a bad nighttime view, eh?

A bit blurry, but epic views for days 

We stayed in a corner suite that Meryl Streep had also stayed in just a few days before during the Oscars!

View of the iconic Roosevelt Hotel sign as seen through the Loews sign from the rooftop

Hollywood lights twinkling in the background of the Loews Hollywood

Thanks to the Loews Hollywood and H2 team for a wonderful stay!