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

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Hotels & LodgingIssue — New Design Lineage

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

February 25, 2026

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.

the gjelina group renovated the interiors of the \1930s venice building, updati 17
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.
room \15 and a stairway leading to other guest rooms from the interior courtyar 18
Above: Room 15 and a stairway leading to other guest rooms from the interior courtyard.
a view of the lobby interior complete with a custom upholstered sofa, vintage s 19
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.
the furnishings were taken on by gjelina group ceo shelley armistead, who desig 20
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.
a kitchenette complete with apron front sink, brass bridge faucet, and the basi 21
Above: A kitchenette complete with apron-front sink, brass bridge faucet, and the basics atop a walnut and brass shelf.
a cast iron clawfoot tub and freestanding brass faucet in the king suite along 22
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.
a view of the fireplace suite showcases the custom walnut headboards throughout 23
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.
a vintage chaise in room \26, one of the pieces from the collection of vintage 24
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.
in the king suites, warm, pink hued walls meet a custom mohair sectional sofa a 25
Above: In the king suites, warm, pink-hued walls meet a custom mohair sectional sofa and floral Roman shades.
the throw blankets throughout are from jenni kayne; the alpaca basketweave thro 26
Above: The throw blankets throughout are from Jenni Kayne; the Alpaca Basketweave Throw is pictured here. Photograph by Kate Berry.
custom \1970s inspired woven seating hugs the corners of a guest room. photogra 27
Above: Custom 1970s-inspired woven seating hugs the corners of a guest room. Photograph by Erin Corrigan.
an outdoor seating area complete with custom bench and stone table outside room 28
Above: An outdoor seating area complete with custom bench and stone table outside room 24. Photograph by Julie Pointer Adams.
a double king suite for large group stays is designed minimally with custom str 29
Above: A double king suite for large group stays is designed minimally with custom striped kilim rugs, waffle weave blankets, and custom walnut headboards.
a fold down table in the murphy room (with a fold down murphy bed). photograph 30
Above: A fold-down table in the murphy room (with a fold-down Murphy bed). Photograph by Trip Davis.
a kitchenette designed in plaster with walnut details, thick marble countertops 31
Above: A kitchenette designed in plaster with walnut details, thick marble countertops, and white zellige tile.
an ornate vintage side table and small table lamp paired with a modern, custom 32
Above: An ornate vintage side table and small table lamp paired with a modern, custom woven bench.
in the gjusta apartment, the kitchen has standout orange smeg large appliances. 33
Above: In the Gjusta Apartment, the kitchen has standout orange Smeg large appliances. Photograph by Trip Davis.
the dining area in the vitorrja apartment features an exposed brick wall, a les 34
Above: The dining area in the Vitorrja apartment features an exposed brick wall, a less common element for southern California spaces.
the meeting of characterful tile in the apartment shower with deep green subway 35
Above: The meeting of characterful tile in the apartment shower with deep green subway-length zellige tile on the right.
a view of the terrace. photograph by kate berry. 36
Above: A view of the terrace. Photograph by Kate Berry.

For more Los Angeles hotels, see our posts:

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

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