Day #27- Hooray for Hollywood!

Movies, stars, glitz, glamor...NOT!!!  Our initial experience with Hollywood was something out of a movie.  While still in Grover Beach, I found a great Hotwire deal for a hotel right in the middle of the action between Hollywood Blvd and Sunset. 

We pulled up to a super sketchy looking place, but noticed the Starbucks, Jersey Mike's, and Jamba Juice close by, so we decided it may not be as bad as it looked.  We walked inside and there was a less fortunate man laying on a couch in the "lobby".  The check in desk was behind glass with only a hole to peak thru.  I was already feeling nervous about the place.  The desk clerk comes and wants both of our Id's, along with our licence plate #.  He then gives us a set of keys- actual keys- not a key card like at most hotels.  He also gives a key to the building which he says he locks at nite.  We went to move our car into a tight parallel spot in a super small lot, only to have the desk clerk follow us and tell us exactly how to park.  Now super nervous, we head to our room.  It was on the ground floor with the only lock being one like would be found on the bathroom door at home.  The room had no AC and a window with no screen open to the street.  The bed was a twin and the one chair in the room was covered in a sheet.   I had already decided we were NOT staying at this dump, but had to use the restroom before we left.  I walk into the bathroom to see a window open to an alley.  That was it.  I was DONE. 

We hurried back out to Stan and sat in him with the doors locked tight.  I called Hotwire and told the lady that I know rooms are not refundable, but I just was not safe at this hotel.   After rattling off the list of scary features, the woman not only refunded our money,  but she arranged for an upgraded hotel and Hotwire paid for it.  I was very impressed with the level of customer service!!

Once in a safe, clean, locked hotel room we decided to look for food.   We ended up at an Italian restaurant named Miceli's- just like my Michigan family.  We had the best time!  All of the wait staff took turns performing a song- just like on Glee when they move to NYC.  The voices were very good and sounded like these people could be on Broadway! 

We now sit comfortably in our room getting ready for to tomorrow's trip to Universal Studios.  Stay tuned!