Banana Bungalow West Hollywood Hotel & Hostel

603 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036, Los Angeles, United States

2-star hotel

Guest rating: 3.9 / 5

Overview

Banana Bungalow West Hollywood is a 2-star hostel set amid the eclectic boutiques of the Melrose Strip in Los Angeles. Known for its colorful, tiki-inspired decor, it caters to budget-conscious travelers seeking a social, laid-back atmosphere rather than a polished full-service hotel experience. The property blends dorm-style hostel living with private room options, giving it flexibility for solo backpackers and small groups alike.

Rooms

Accommodations range from mixed dorms with 6 to 16 beds, each with free personal lockers and either shared or en suite bathrooms, to private rooms sleeping 1 to 4 guests. Private rooms come with en suite bathrooms, TVs, minifridges, and microwaves, and some include private balconies. Guests describe the rooms as basic but recently and lightly remodeled, with housekeeping keeping them notably clean.

Amenities & Social Spaces

On-site facilities include a shared kitchen, a movie room, a sidewalk patio, and a signature tiki-themed courtyard that regularly hosts events like DJ nights and comedy shows. Free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, and all-day coffee and tea are included, while laundry facilities and limited on-site parking (in the basement) are available for a fee. Free earplugs are offered at reception, a nod to the hostel's lively, communal environment.

Location

The hostel sits about 1 mile from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and The Grove, and under 2 miles from the Petersen Automotive Museum and TCL Chinese Theatre. Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Bowl, Universal Studios Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, and the Hollywood Sign are all within roughly 4 to 7 miles, making the property a workable base for exploring both the Miracle Mile museum corridor and Hollywood's core attractions.

Best for

This hostel best suits budget travelers, solo backpackers, and social young travelers drawn to its low price point, communal courtyard events, and central Melrose Strip location. It also works for small groups or friends who want private rooms with kitchenette-style conveniences (minifridge, microwave, TV) without paying full hotel rates. Given the multi-bed dorms and lively nightlife-adjacent atmosphere, it's less suited to travelers seeking quiet or high-end amenities.

Travel tips

Note that paid parking is located in the basement and there is no elevator to upper floors, so pack light if you're staying in an upper-level room. The hostel's location near The Grove and the Melrose Strip puts shopping and dining within walking distance, while major Hollywood sights like the Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre are a few miles away and best reached by rideshare or car. If noise sensitivity is a concern, take advantage of the free earplugs offered at reception given the hostel's social, event-driven courtyard scene.

What guests say

Guests consistently praise the hostel's location, affordability, and lively, nostalgic atmosphere, frequently highlighting the tiki-themed courtyard as a memorable feature. The staff and customer service are repeatedly singled out as friendly and helpful, and several reviewers note that despite being a hostel, the rooms are kept impressively clean and have undergone light remodeling. Some noise is acknowledged as expected given the social, dorm-style setting, though free earplugs are offered to mitigate this. A recurring practical complaint involves the lack of an elevator to upper floors and the basement-only paid parking arrangement.

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