The Shay Culver City Review

I lived in LA for 15 years, and always felt Culver City was one of the hidden gems of Los Angeles featuring a quaint downtown and the rare neighborhood feel that a is lost across much of a the sprawling metropolis. Culver is south of Beverly Hills, West of Century City, East of Santa Monica, just 15 to 20 minutes from LAX, and near the 10. One of the coolest attributes of Culver is the historic Culver Studios where a litany of famous shows and movies were once shot, but its focal point is the Gone with the Wind home that is visible from the intersection of Ince and Washington. Culver Studios is now the home of Amazon and the entire area has been completely transformed over the past couple years.  The quaint downtown in still in tact, but the new housing, retail, and dining options are immense.

The Shay is part Hyatt’s Destination Hotels and is situated in a new mixed use development called Ivy Station, where a train stop is as well. I’ve had my eye on The Shay for quite some time since it was pegged to be a category 5 hotel and cash prices weren’t insane. The hotel opened to the public in October 2021, and the images looked very cool.  We’ve been looking for a new place to stay on LA visits, and The Shay may just be it.

The lobby has a variety of seating options that are all industrial chic

Stay Details:

• When: April 2022
• Where: Culver City – Los Angeles, CA
• Rate: Category 5, 20k a night
• Room: 401 – 1 bedroom Premium Suite
  • Confirmed Globalist Suite Upgrade
  • Upgraded from a 1 King bed Suite
  • 640 sq feet
• Status: Globalist
  • Waived $30 Destination Fee
  • Waived $45 Valet Fee
  • Complimentary Breakfast
  • Upgraded Suite
• Confirmed 4pm late check out

The $30 destination fee

It’s happening everywhere – the new resort fee. Luckily, Hyatt Globalist status saved me from having to pay this on my award booking.

Booking

We’ve stayed a several LA properties – most recently the Andaz on Sunset, Kimpton La Peer and Kimpton Hotel Wilshire. The Andaz is super tired, and I actively avoid staying on the strip, the Kimpton La Peer is wonderful, but I’m a bit over the WeHo area after living there for a long time and rates were very high, and the location of the Kimpton Hotel Wilshire isn’t quite ideal.

So we were ready for something new and I was stoked to see that The Shay not only had availability for points, but also suites available.

I redeemed 4 nights at 20k a piece and used the Chat function to add a Globalist Suite upgrade to the reservation. I’ve found this function in Hyatt.com or the App to be the most expeditious way of amending reservations. I was told at the time of suite confirmation that we’d been further upgraded to a Premium Suite which when you look at the cash rate isn’t that much more, but is nearly 50% bigger!

If I were to visit again… I would apply a suite upgrade again and request to pay the difference between the hotel rooms if not confirmed. The space is amazing and worth the $75 fee imo.

Location

I was a little hesitant when I booked the hotel because I hadn’t been to this area in a couple of years since I moved out of town. It’s completely transformed and what was once a sketchy stretch of Culver near the 10, is now filled with shopping like Reformation, dining like Margot, and coffee shops everywhere. I’m a fan.

Check In

When we checked in the hotel was absolutely bumping. We were promptly greeted, informed that Tesla charging was free with valet, and Loads of guests, but also young 20 somethings filling Etta and lining up for the rooftop bar Celestina.

The Room

The Suite is sun-drenched with loads of space and feels fresh, modern, and hip.

The counters have built in plugs that collapse to make a flush top.

They’ve done a great job of integrating the wet bar, coffee machine, and extra storage in the comfy living room. There’s even a small table where you could get some work done.

The Bedroom overlooks the elevated train which you could hear but really wasn’t loud at all.

The Bathroom is stunning featuring a walk in shower, large dual vanity, and a ginormous soaker tub

The Shay features Imperial products and something I just don’t like…the large shower products. Call me a distrustful person, but I can’t help but think someone and some point will put something disgusting in these bottles that the next person will use.

 

The Gym

Located on the 2nd floor and requires you going outside before nipping back inside features peloton bikes, a small collection of treadmills, and weights.

Dining

There are 3 dining options at the hotel with Etta being the focal point and the rooftop, Celestina being more of a chill out spot that serves food poolside on the roof.

The Lobby Bar

Immediately when you enter the lobby you’ll see the The Lobby Bar which was crowded when we checked in.

Etta

Etta was jam packed and completely booked for the first two nights we stayed at the hotel. I came down each morning to Etta for breakfast, which you order at the counter, and they bring to a small group of tables.

The Etta bar is drop dead gorgeous

Breakfast… was tasty. I ordered the quiche and breakfast sandwiches along with chia seed pudding and all were great. I even ordered some to eat at the restaurant and some to-go.

Celestina

The rooftop holds Celestina and a vibey pool with a great views.

Overall

The hotel is fantastic and I wouldn’t hesitate to revisit. In fact, this could be my go-to spot when visiting Los Angeles. The biggest positives are the area and how much money they’ve poured into development. The space feels fresh, the food at the hotel was very good, and everyone was friendly. The only drawbacks, which were avoided because of Globalist status, was the destination fee and the $45 valet charge. My goodness…this hotel quickly becomes $500 a night for a base room when you add in all the extra charges…our suite would have topped $700 more than likely. At just 20k a night and a suite upgrade…I felt like I got great value

Oh yeah.. it’s pet friendly too