Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel
1911 West Olive Avenue
Burbank, CA
Old Hollywood neon, still burning on Olive Avenue.
This property is an Honorable Mention. It has been vetted and approved for our highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and operational excellence. While it is still evolving toward our full design-led designation, it is a proven, reliable anchor for any road trip. We recommend it with confidence.
About Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel
The Safari Inn has anchored Olive Avenue in Burbank since 1955, and its towering neon sign is one of the last of its kind left in a city built by the studios. That sign, and the motor court behind it, has appeared on screen for decades, most famously as the backdrop in Quentin Tarantino's True Romance. Inside, the lobby leans into an eclectic jungle theme with a Wall of Fame of film and television memorabilia. The two-story property keeps its original drive-up, exterior-corridor bones while the rooms have been updated for modern travelers. A mile from the Warner Bros. lot and a short hop from Universal, it is a genuine piece of Burbank film history you can still book a room in.
What Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel Is Known For
The Safari Inn does something almost no property in Burbank can claim: it has preserved an intact 1950s motor court, neon sign and all, in a city that demolished most of its roadside history. It has done this without becoming a museum piece. The rooms are genuinely updated and genuinely clean, and the hospitality is warm enough that guests leave talking about the staff as much as the sign. Keeping a landmark alive as a working, well-run place to sleep is harder than letting it fade, and this property has managed it.
Amenities
- Pets Welcome
- WiFi
- Landmark 1955 neon sign
- Pool beneath the neon sign
- Rooftop sun terrace
- Free studio and airport shuttle
- Jungle-themed lobby with film memorabilia Wall of Fame
- Full-kitchen suites
What Guests Love
- The 1955 neon sign is a genuine Los Angeles landmark and has appeared on screen, including in True Romance.
- A free shuttle runs to Warner Bros., Universal Studios, and Hollywood Burbank Airport, so you can skip the traffic.
- The pool sits directly under the illuminated sign, an experience unique to this property after dark.
- Some rooms include a full kitchen, handy for longer studio-district stays.
Worth Knowing
- Pets are welcome. A pet fee applies; contact the property directly to confirm current amounts and any restrictions before booking.
- On-site self-parking is available for a nightly fee. Confirm the current rate when you book.
- The parking lot can feel tight when full. A standard-size vehicle is easiest; arrive early if you drive something larger.
- Rooms facing Olive Avenue may catch some street noise. Request one toward the pool courtyard if you are a light sleeper.
- The property sits close to the studios and books up around major tapings and events. Reserve several weeks ahead for peak dates.
The Room
Renovated rooms pair the property's mid-century roadside character with current comforts. Expect clean, updated interiors, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and in-room coffee and tea service. Some accommodations step up to a full kitchen, useful for longer studio-adjacent stays. Rooms open directly onto exterior walkways in the classic motor-lodge arrangement, so you step out of your door and into the courtyard rather than down an interior hall. First-floor rooms are the pet-friendly ones and feature easy-clean vinyl flooring.
The Grounds
The heart of the property is the outdoor pool, set directly beneath the illuminated Safari Inn neon sign, which is the shot everyone comes for after dark. A rooftop sun terrace and a fitness room round out the on-site facilities. On-site self-parking is available for a fee, and the lot can feel snug when it fills with larger vehicles. A free shuttle runs to Hollywood Burbank Airport and to the Warner Bros. and Universal Studios gates, so the car can stay put for much of a visit.
The Experience
Guests come for the neon and stay for how well looked-after they feel. The staff earn steady praise for warmth and genuine helpfulness, and the rooms deliver on cleanliness in a way that surprises people expecting a dated roadside stop. Evenings tend to end at the pool, watching the sign flicker on overhead, a small ritual that feels like stepping into a movie because, in a sense, you are. The free studio shuttle makes it an easy base for a Warner Bros. tour or a Universal day without ever fighting Los Angeles traffic yourself.
Details
Burbank, CA 91506
The Boutel designation is earned, not purchased. Boutels is editorially independent and has no financial relationship with any listed property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel have EV charging?
No, Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel does not have EV charging.
Does Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel serve breakfast?
No, Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel does not serve breakfast.
Does Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel have WiFi?
Yes, Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel has WiFi.
What is there to do near Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel?
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood: 1 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk. Universal Studios Hollywood: 4 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there. Griffith Observatory: 6 miles, about a 10 minute drive.
How far is Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel from Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood?
1 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
How far is Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel from Universal Studios Hollywood?
4 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there.
How far is Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel from Griffith Observatory?
6 miles, about a 10 minute drive.
How far is the Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel from Warner Bros. Studio?
The Safari Inn is about 1 mile from the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, roughly a 3-minute drive, and a free shuttle serves the studio gate.
Does the Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel have a pool?
Yes. The Safari Inn has an outdoor pool set directly beneath its landmark neon sign.
Is parking free at the Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel?
On-site self-parking is available for a nightly fee. Contact the property directly to confirm the current rate before booking.
Are pets allowed at the Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel?
Yes. Pets are welcome. Contact the property directly before booking to confirm current pet fees, room availability, and any restrictions.
Does the Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel offer a shuttle?
Yes. A free shuttle runs to Hollywood Burbank Airport and to the Warner Bros. and Universal Studios gates.
How far is the Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel from Universal Studios Hollywood?
The Safari Inn is about 4 miles from Universal Studios Hollywood, roughly a 10-minute drive, and the free shuttle serves the park.
How can I give feedback on a property I stayed at?
If you are a guest that stayed at the property, we would love feedback about your experience. Boutels listed on this site do not pay to be included nor can they pay to be sponsored or promoted. Your feedback matters. Please .
I’m affiliated with this property and have feedback on this listing.
We’d love to learn more about your property. To provide images, simply log in as a member (it’s free), find your listing on the map, choose “Visited,” and you’ll be given the option to upload images and leave a note. You can also and we’ll be in touch, just be sure to provide us with contact information in that form. Thanks!
Things to Do Near the Burbank studio district
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
1 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
1 mile, about a 3-minute drive. A working studio backlot tour through the soundstages and sets behind decades of film and television.
Universal Studios Hollywood
4 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there.
4 miles, about a 10-minute drive. The theme park and studio tour that fill a full day, from thrill rides to the backlot tram, reachable on the free shuttle.
Griffith Observatory
6 miles, about a 10 minute drive.
6 miles, about a 15-minute drive. A free public observatory over the city, with famous views of the Hollywood Sign and the Los Angeles basin.