Gjelina Hotel: A Vintage-Leaning Guest House in Los Angeles

For as often as we’ve enjoyed a tuna sandwich and vinegar shrub in the courtyard of Gjusta, it was only recently that we came across Gjelina Hotel (formerly called Vitorrja), the first hotel from the Gjelina Group behind both Gjusta and Gjelina in Los Angeles. In spite of its location one block from the boardwalk and beach in Venice, Gjelina Hotel is decidedly non-beachy. with a design inspired by the understated interiors of Eastern Europe, the utility of traditional boarding houses, and the refined quality of private hotels. At its start. the hotel was named after founder Fran Camaj’s Albanian aunt. Vitorrja. who grew up in Montenegro with his mother Gjelina and aunt Gjusta. The style is based on the idea of what Vitorrja’s house might look like today: vintage lighting, walnut accents, mohair sofas, and oil paintings. Here’s a look inside.

All photos from Gjelina Hotel with photographers as noted.

Above: The Gjelina Group renovated the interiors of the 1930s Venice building, updating the façade with wood finishes and stone pavers. The custom curtains are made in Latvia from linen and crochet lace. Photograph by Kate Berry. Above: Room 15 and a stairway leading to other guest rooms from the interior courtyard. Above: A view of the lobby interior complete with a custom upholstered sofa, vintage side tables, and limewash walls in a custom designed with Los Angeles Portola Paints. Above: The furnishings were taken on by Gjelina Group CEO Shelley Armistead, who designed the guest rooms and suites piece by piece, integrating textiles from Gjusta Goods, custom furniture, and vintage lighting and decor. Above: A kitchenette complete with apron-front sink, brass bridge faucet, and the basics atop a walnut and brass shelf. Above: A cast iron clawfoot tub and freestanding brass faucet in the king suite along with a vintage stool, oil painting, and linen Roman shades. Photograph by Julie Pointer Adams. Above: A view of the fireplace suite showcases the custom walnut headboards throughout the hotel. The bed linens are Coyuchi, and the rug is a handwoven Turkish kilim woven from Gjusta Goods. Above: A vintage chaise in room 26, one of the pieces from the collection of vintage furniture Armistead has sourced since the late 1990s; pieces found on the east coast, in England, France, and Istanbul. Above: In the king suites, warm, pink-hued walls meet a custom mohair sectional sofa and floral Roman shades. Above: The throw blankets throughout are from Jenni Kayne; the Alpaca Basketweave Throw is pictured here. Photograph by Kate Berry. Above: Custom 1970s-inspired woven seating hugs the corners of a guest room. Photograph by Erin Corrigan. Above: An outdoor seating area complete with custom bench and stone table outside room 24. Photograph by Julie Pointer Adams. Above: A double king suite for large group stays is designed minimally with custom striped kilim rugs, waffle weave blankets, and custom walnut headboards. Above: A fold-down table in the murphy room (with a fold-down Murphy bed). Photograph by Trip Davis. Above: A kitchenette designed in plaster with walnut details, thick marble countertops, and white zellige tile. Above: An ornate vintage side table and small table lamp paired with a modern, custom woven bench. Above: In the Gjusta Apartment, the kitchen has standout orange Smeg large appliances. Photograph by Trip Davis. Above: The dining area in the Vitorrja apartment features an exposed brick wall, a less common element for southern California spaces. Above: The meeting of characterful tile in the apartment shower with deep green subway-length zellige tile on the right. Above: A view of the terrace. Photograph by Kate Berry.

For more Los Angeles hotels, see our posts:

• Coming to a City Near You: 9 Boutique Hotel Upstarts for the Design-Minded Traveler
• The Surfrider: A Cult Classic California Motel, Updated for 2018
• The Velvet Underground: Retro Glamour in Los Feliz
• A Mediterranean-Revival Beach Lodge, Santa Monica Edition

N.B.: This story originally ran on August 16, 2024, and has been updated with new information.