I have done the journey to PIR two different times. I have stayed at the Rodeway on Beverly Blvd (was called Beverly Guest house Inn - or something like that); the last time I stayed out of Hollywood in one of the beach cities- however I had my reasons. Basically if you want to be close by, you're going to have to likely pay good money OR be prepared to put up with "inconveniences".
My stay at the Guest house was "OK" - meaning it served the purpose, but I wouldn't recommend it to friends/family unless they were on a really tight budget - which I was the first time around (when I stayed there).
What I liked:
close to CBS (note though, that you have about a 5 or 10 min walk to the lineup for PIR - the pics on the hotel site show CBS across the street, but you don't line up at that entrance; I knew that at time, but it could confuse people)
It was a bed to sleep in, had a bathroom, and was fairly quiet
reasonable walk to Farmers market and stores in that area
They did have a small microwave and fridge in the room, and it was airconditioned as I recall - e venthough not that hot (went in Jan 07).
What I didn't like:
Questionable on vacuuming when I first got there - there was someones old plastic shaver cover (from disposable shavers or something on the rug)
Bathroom window was clear so anyone could see in - I had to cover it over with newspaper and bought some tape at a store to make it stick - they finally did put something over it (cardboaard).
I had do not disturb up in afternoon to rest, and they came and banged on door to give me towels
Noisy from above - floors seem to need insulation
Breakfast was misleading - what they appeared to serve didn't look appealing and coffee seemed like it was left on for like 6 hours -that burnt smell.
Not really any restaurants near by that I could see (plus I didn't have a car and didn't want to wander too far); I ordered in.
It did the job (the hotel) but I just didn't feel "comfortable" there, lets just say
Farmer's daughter does seem nice; when I checked the prices for 2nd trip, I recall it being like $170.00 per night or something; was just too expensive, and as I recall though they do seem to book up! I did tour the place on trip 1 and the rooms are nice; If you can afford it, I'd probably stay there - if you want to be in Hollywood/that area for most of your stay.
If you want to be out of Hollywood and save $ and are comfortable driving - thank goodness for AVIS navigation system (Garmin) - then stay maybe in one of the beach cities and commute in. It was funky getting up at like 4am and driving in, but the navigation worked like a charm. Plus on days I wasn't going to PIR, I was out of the area and able to do other things - go To Disney land, went to an Angels game etc.[/list][/list][/list][/list][/list]