The Aster: Behind the Scenes of a Boutique Hollywood Hideaway with an Exclusive Members Only Club

Set under the watchful gaze of the Hollywood sign, against the shadow of the iconic Capitol Records building, and facing the stars of the Walk of Fame, the intersection of Hollywood and Vine is a corner steeped in glitz and history.

Though, these days, there’s admittedly less glam and a bit more grit, as throngs of tourists swell Hollywood Boulevard and storefronts are mostly for picking up knick knacks and kitschy gear.

But tucked a few steps away, a quiet cocoon of luxury is hidden in plain sight.

Here you’ll find The Aster, a 35-pied-à-terre suite hotel with a wellness sanctuary, private pool, swanky rooftop, and an exclusive members-only club where Hollywood players come to work and socialize with a cinema, recording studio, and co-working spaces.

I checked in for a weekend and my two-night stay left me feeling like an in-the-know Hollywood A-lister. 

Exclusivity starts with a discreet entrance

As I arrived at The Aster, I wondered if I was in the right place and scanned the building for the entrance.

Unlike other extravagant luxury hotels in Los Angeles, there was no sweeping facade or grand turn court lined with parked Ferraris or Aston Martins.

Instead, a midnight blue door faced Vine Street under the soft glow of a small canopy with blink-and-you’d-miss-it signage reading, “The Aster.” 

I tried to open the door but found it locked. I knocked; no one came. There was no doorman, either. 

At first, I imagined it was for the safety of hotel guests, but later, I surmised it might also be strategic to keep out anyone but hotel guests and club members — more on that in a moment.

Past the door was a large valet parking garage, which was where I found an open door to the hotel.

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The hotel check-in desk / Credit: Emily Hochberg

Inside was a small lobby with a check-in desk flanked by two small, but thoughtfully designed sitting areas. As I checked in, members of The Aster, who were arriving to work and socialize, whisked past me on their way up to an exclusive lounge area, which hotel guests are permitted to use as well.

I was booked in a Two Bedroom Suite, which is the largest accommodation available. All rooms are suite style and range in size from a 392-square-foot studio to generous 750-square-foot suites with balconies and seating areas. There’s also an open floor plan 920-square-foot Grand Suite with a spacious living area, dining table, and breakfast bar.

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The author’s guestroom / Credit: Emily Hochberg

A suite fit for a starlet

The first thing I saw when I stepped off the elevator was a handsome sitting area with a vintage sofa and armchairs with splashes of deep purple, pops of velvet, and a collection of standing globes. It was a hint of the design treats still waiting to come.

Down the hallway, I entered my room, which, at 1,100 square feet, was indulgently spacious and felt more like a liveable apartment than a typical hotel room or suite.

A well-furnished living area dazzled with a curved bubblegum pink sofa with midcentury armchairs on either side, velvet upholstery, and textured throw pillows for a punch of rich texture. 

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The pink sofa with dining area behind it / Credit: Emily Hochberg

Behind it, a six-seat dining room table came with a kitchenette that had a stovetop, sink, mini fridge, Nespresso machine, and gorgeous glassware for mixing up provided minibar spirits.

All along the living room wall were floor-to-ceiling windows with a door leading to a private balcony facing the Capitol Records building. The balcony was well furnished with couches and a table and chairs, ideal for people watching the buzz below.

Off of the living room were two bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom.

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One of two bedrooms in the suite / Credit: Emily Hochberg

One had a Queen bed atop a plush patterned carpet beneath contrasting patterned wallpaper and more full-length windows shielded by rich green velvet drapes. A mahogany armoire was tucked neatly into an alcove corner. 

It felt like the kind of room I’d expect in the well-styled country estate of an extravagant world traveler. 

Off of this bedroom was my favorite part of the entire suite, an exquisite bathroom that was reminiscent of a Turkish Hammam with eye-popping turquoise tiled walls and floors that made me feel as if I was in a spa fashioned after a jewel box. The waterfall shower, in particular, was excellent and each bathroom was stocked with soft terry robes and toiletries by Lather.

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The turquoise bathroom / Credit: Emily Hochberg

The next bedroom was the primary, with a King size bed, more pretty patterned wallpaper, layered rugs, and a statement headboard crafted from a gorgeous slab of curved wood. 

In a small alcove next to the bed, a small raffia-accented writing desk was topped with an antique rotary phone, next to another wooden armoire. 

The room also had a large walk-in closet and a gray-tiled bathroom with a shower-tub combo and more Middle Eastern-inspired accents such as a wooden end table that was intricately carved with stars and etchings.

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The primary bedroom / Credit: Emily Hochberg

As a light sleeper, I was initially worried that all the noise drifting from adjacent Hollywood Boulevard and its throngs of tourists, traffic, and nightclubs would keep me awake. The provided earplugs on the nightstand only seemed to make that more certain. But the street noise was much quieter in the bedrooms than the living room, and the distant throb of bass music faded behind the earplugs, allowing me to sleep just fine.

My stay was comped for the purposes of this review, but rooms start at $249 per night plus fees for the entry-level Club Studio Suite, or $1,159 for the Two-Bedroom Suite.

The members-only social floor / Credit: Emily Hochberg

Members — and guests — only 

One of the most unique aspects of The Aster is that it’s also an exclusive members-only club for local professionals.

So, every amenity from the pool to the rooftop bar and even an on-site cinema are shared with those who pay a yearly fee of $3,600 to come and work, swim, exercise, or just hang out. Of course there are other regular hotel guests, too, but members receive preferred rates on suites, as well as priority reservations for room types.

While the hotel is not adults-only, and I came with my kids, I didn’t notice any other children and they were not permitted to enter members’ fifth-floor social club and lounge. 

This was where I found sunsoaked spaces for coworking, gathering, and socializing, with photogenic seating areas filled with leafy green plants, a curated art collection, and even a piano for musical evenings. A central bar poured and prepared craft drinks and snacks, and an adjoining sitting room with exquisite wallpaper sourced by Russell Sage Studio lent additional gathering space.

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The wallpaper sourced by Russell Sage Studio / Credit: Emily Hochberg

Down the hall, I found smaller coworking rooms with desks, cubicles, and phone booths. And in a nod to the creative community that fills Hollywood, The Aster also has a 36-seat cinema for screenings, as well as a podcast and recording studio, which may be reserved by members.

Wellness is also a hallmark of staying here, whether you’re a member or a hotel guest.

I peeked into a large fitness facility with a well-equipped locker room, and a private Pilates reformer studio that is set to open soon. An additional fitness studio hosts everything from group classes and yoga to restorative sound baths.

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The fitness center / Credit: Emily Hochberg

Members and guests of The Aster are also treated to an array of interesting programming and experiences that cater to a diverse set of interests. Some of these happen in the Cabaret Room, an event and performance space with an additional bar.

The pool / Credit: Emily Hochberg

Sleek spaces

A few floors down, a sleek pool watches over Hollywood Boulevard (and a parking lot). It’s on the smaller side, with just a handful of chaise loungers lining it. I came to check it out and found only a few chairs and tables available. It seemed like most of the crowd hanging out or dipping into the water were a mix of members and guests.

Adjacent to the pool was a lounge area with floor-to-ceiling glass doors facing the patio and serving a limited menu of food and drink.

For more expansive food service, I went up to the rooftop, which is one of the best parts of gaining access to The Aster.

The Lemon Grove patio / Credit: Emily Hochberg

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Up there was where I found a gorgeously landscaped space filled with fragrant citrus trees, lush and diverse plant life, and plush and inviting seating areas. There were several nooks to choose from, with views of the Hollywood Hills on one end and the city action on the other. 

One corner had a projection set-up to screen movies at night, while another was primed for a DJ booth or other nightlife.

But the main focal point was the hotel’s signature restaurant, Lemon Grove, headed by celebrity Chef Marcel Vigneron.

I visited for brunch and walked through a path lined with lemon trees to a bright, contemporary patio overlooking the restaurant’s homegrown garden, which staff told me they hope to soon use in the meals prepared onsite.

Brunch was an indulgent affair with dishes like bananas foster pancakes, perfectly-fried chicken and waffles, and a luscious and inventive avocado toast topped with wild mushrooms and a yuzu marmalade. I enjoyed the meal thoroughly and hope to return again for dinner.

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Fried chicken and waffles at Lemon Grove / Credit: Emily Hochberg

Eating and drinking on Hollywood’s East Side

The hotel’s restaurant is fantastic but aside from that, onsite food and drink was a bit limited. And with Hollywood Boulevard lined with fast food joints and chain tourist traps, I decided to venture out for my other meals.

Fortunately, The Aster’s address also borders the east side of Hollywood, offering easy access to some of the city’s hippest hangs in neighborhoods like Los Feliz, Echo Park, and Silver Lake.

Grab your car from the valet or call a Lyft for a quick ride over to Maru for your morning caffeine fix. Just be ready to wait — locals line up for this coffee shop and roastery in Los Feliz to sip expertly crafted pour overs and signature drinks like an iced short black topped with sweetened cream. 

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The crab toast at Alcove / Credit: Emily Hochberg

If the idea of a queue first thing in the morning makes you cranky, across the street, Alcove is another great option for coffee or all-day dining. The restaurant is housed within two historic bungalows and has a large patio shielded by a canopy of umbrellas and leafy foliage. I showed up at peak brunch time and had no problem finding a table and ate every single morsel of my crab toast, topped with refreshing fennel and lemon on country bread. The baked goods are also a must — the rose pistachio pastry was sensational.

And as someone who called NYC home for a decade, I also take my bagels quite seriously. Courage Bagels in East Hollywood caught my attention for their Montreal-style spin on the circular carb. Their menu, hand-written and taped onto a glass window, has all the flavors you’d expect plus the unique “burnt everything.”  Standout choices include the wild Alaskan salmon roe or the perfectly simple combo of cream cheese, tomato, lemon, salt and pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.

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The dining area inside DeSano Pizzeria / Credit: Emily Hochberg

Since I was visiting with my kids, I inevitably needed to find pizza. DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana was a great find, and impressed this former New Yorker — and her picky children. Over order like we did so you can bring leftovers back. You can’t-go-wrong with the Margherita classic, made with San Marzano tomato, mozzarella di bufala, olive oil, and fresh basil on a perfectly chewy Neapolitan-style crust. The house specialty, however, is Pizza Carnevale, which has a thick, doughy ricotta stuffed crust; ours came topped with San Marzano tomato sauce, scamorza, mozzarella di bufala, sausage, and fresh basil, and I’m hungry just remembering it. My kids, meanwhile, loved the NY Style Americana, a cheesy pie with San Marzano tomato sauce, scamorza, oregano, and garlic, that’s as classic as it gets, and sure to please any pizza purist.

Farther east in Eagle Rock, Capri Club is an Aperitivo bar mixing up spritzes and cocktails in a historic space. Sidle up to the curved bar or settle into a red leather booth while you sip your libation, admiring a coastal Italian mural that pays homage to the classic Italian restaurant that once served locals in this very spot.

Not too far away in Highland Park, music fans shouldn’t miss the chance to grab a drink at Gold Line Bar. Owned by Peanut Butter Wolf, the founder of Stones Throw Records, rows of vinyl feature prominently above the bar and include over 7,500 records from his personal collection. 

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The members-only floor bar at The Aster / Credit: Emily Hochberg

The bottom line

Overlooking one of Hollywood’s busiest intersections, The Aster stands out in a sea of flamboyant tourist-centric spots that flood this part of Los Angeles.

But this hotel couldn’t be further from that.

Rather, Aster is a sleek sanctuary that feels hidden and deeply in-the-know. It’s where local creatives and style-minded travelers mingle in search of a quiet escape, to recharge on the pool deck, work on their script, or hit the roof for a night of programming that could range from anything from a DJ set to a movie screening. 

The residential-like suites are spacious, well-appointed, and comfortable enough for extended stays, and the exclusive setting is especially fitting for a city where everyone wants to get a taste of some of that A-list clout.