Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Los Angeles/Sherman Oaks debuts its second take following a redesign by Studio HBA, a rising brand within the global hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA). Nine miles from Universal Studios Hollywood, Warner Bros. Studios and The Burbank Studios in an urban area of the San Fernando Valley, the 96-room hotel caters to the creative class and the savvy entertainment-business traveler. 

A modern stylish gem designed in the boutique hotel tradition, the interiors of Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Los Angeles/Sherman Oaks reflect a playful interpretation of Southern California culture. Contemporary nods to the Valley’s movie-making past and present, along with the region’s bygone citrus groves and proverbial indoor/outdoor lifestyle, are cleverly woven into a cohesive visual vocabulary across guest rooms, suites, public areas and corridors. 

“Our team was inspired by the San Fernando Valley’s rich history and Southern California’s quintessentially relaxed way of life and state of play for this project’s design,” said Studio HBA Principal Alisa Chodos. “We developed an identity surrounding the major movie studios located in the Valley during the 1920s, the once thriving citrus industry and the year-round sunshine, which guests will discover highlighted in the large dramatic features, accent wallcoverings and artwork—with a stylized bold twist—throughout the hotel.”

The arrival sets the tone for the guest experience within. Behind the front desk is a floor-to-ceiling mural of orange tree branches and oranges, which serves as a focal point and a refreshing welcome. A refined patchwork of wood planks and finishes reminiscent of citrus crates draws the eye upward to the high ceilings while a 12-foot preserved orange tree proudly anchors the lobby’s center, an endearing tribute to the 15,000 acres of citrus groves that once blanketed the Valley. 

Convivial intimate and larger seating areas provide comfort and flexibility for working, a cappuccino and a chat, and making important connections and lasting impressions. Klieg light-like floor lamps add cinematic energy to the space. Ceramics, accessories and decorative elements take cues from cameras, camera equipment and farm tools. By altering scale and elevating utilitarian items framed as artwork, the ordinary becomes the extraordinary. 

The design narrative continues to unfold upon entering the guest room elevator lobbies where striking black-and-white tile flooring defines the exuberant storyline, and custom-printed photos of antique orange groves on the elevator lobby consoles provide a spirited moment of surprise. Journeying along the guest room corridors, a large-scale nightscape of the San Fernando Valley covers the walls and makes a sensational statement. 

An extension of the public space design, guest rooms are spacious and evocative of sunny Southern California in color palette, attitude and overall design, providing a sense of place with splashes of yellow tempered with accents of blues and greens. A collage of hand-selected vintage postcards from happy travelers pinned to a cork board compose the guest room artwork in addition to a handcrafted wire-frame-sculpted movie camera, all in fond remembrance of days gone by. 

Meeting facilities include a large meeting room that opens onto an exterior patio—an ambitious conversion from the former indoor pool—and can be utilized for business or social gatherings. Other public spaces transformed by Studio HBA are the business center and dining area.