Ellison Suites is a one minute walk from Venice beach, a 4 min walk from the bus that will take you to the shopping centres and restaurants off the boardwalk (or you could walk for 30 mins along the boardwalk to get to these). The apartments are clean, quiet, spacious, well equipped and the beds are very comfortable. Access is via a pin number, rather than a room key, which makes it easy for all family members to come and go as they please.

Breakfast is served on the rooftop, featuring magnificent views of Venice Beach and excellent food choices.

On Friday nights there is entertainment in the courtyard, bringing the guests together in a fun and relaxed manner.

However, this is not the best part. The best part by far are the warm and welcoming staff - Edwardo and Lena. They are kind, considerate and engaging people who offer a genuine connection and hospitality, not a service for tips. Edwardo carried our heavy bags and stood in the rain with us until our Uber arrived and expected nothing in return, explaining that he is a father too and understands what it is like to travel with small children. Both Edwardo and Lena are exemplary. They set the gold standard for hospitality and elevatie this already excellent accommodation to an outstanding level.

This is not a sterile Hilton hotel experience, down to the point where the maid only comes on request. This is a highly personal and supportive experience, a home away from home where you actually feel at home, with your babies, kids, teens and pets.

I checked out of this place about 2 hours after check-in.

My room had a horrible stale smell and the rather small bath tub was surrounded by a piece of industrial plastic which would have made showering a very unpleasant experience as it would have been impossible to avoid touching it.

I have been offered no refund and been told that I would have been moved to a better room. If they knew this room wasn't good enough, why put me in it to begin with?

I'm fortunate that I travel regularly and out of the approximately 20 different locations I've stayed in the past 12 months, this is the only one I've been unhappy with.

This old style hotel is amazing if you are fed up with the sanitized classic hotel chain. Room are nice with a decent size (although some could deserve some renovation). All rooms equipped with a full kitchen (although not used during our 2 nights stay). Breakfast on the top floor is great if you can find a seat (space is quite limited).