Venice Beach has always been a magnet for artists, outsiders, and free spirits—its creative pulse woven into everything from street murals to thoughtfully curated storefronts and neighborhood cafés. It’s a place where the lines between gallery and sidewalk blur, and where originality matters more than gloss.

The space has a rich history and past: the reimagined roadside stop preserves the essence of the old California that visitors and Angelenos alike have fallen in love with time and time again. The art-deco ambience blends historic elements with modern comfort. Slim Aarons’ photography fills the walls, embellishing the hotel with beautiful presentations of the California vacation. Communal outdoor spaces incorporate the heartwarming and friendly atmosphere of the neighborhood. The rooms are airy and bright, with vintage charm touching every corner. 

The hotel was co-founded by siblings Daniel Galdjie and Donna Silver. Daniel, a Georgetown-educated lawyer with a deep love for architecture and design, spent years imagining and ultimately creating a space that’s both cosmopolitan and unpretentious—sophisticated in vibe yet salt-of-the-earth in soul. Donna, who studied hospitality in Milan and began her career in marketing for some of Los Angeles’s most iconic restaurants and nightlife spots, brings a creative sensibility and sharp aesthetic eye to the Aliza. Raised in Santa Monica, the two share a deep-rooted connection to the Westside and a love for the character and community of Venice. The hotel is a love letter to their family, in particular to their grandmother Aliza, a quintessential matriarch of a sprawling extended family who was and remains a model of both modern elegance and old-world Persian hospitality. We sat down with Daniel to learn more about the passion behind the Aliza Hotel.

Can you talk a bit about the hotel's ethos? What was it about the old motel that initially drew you to the property?

Over the years, I often drove by the old Golden Star Motel—which had unfortunately fallen into disrepair by the time I was an adult—and fantasized about what the place could one day become. I was drawn to the hotel because of its simple architecture (with some faint Art Deco and Bauhaus elements) and the location on Rose Avenue - long among my favorite streets in all of LA. My family and I had been looking for a small hotel to purchase since late 2016, focusing our search on streets that were walkable and had a neighborhood vibe. I thought buying something on Rose itself was out of the realm of possibility (too competitive and too expensive)—so I pursued deals on less desirable streets. Hotels for sale are hard to come by in good LA neighborhoods, so I struggled through many years of disappointment and regret as the few deals I found slipped through my fingers. Then, in 2023, the stars just kind of aligned and we were able to purchase the Golden Star Motel—a property that I truly loved.  

As for the ethos of the Aliza Hotel, we wanted to create a space that would elevate the mood of our guests—an airy and bright little hotel where uncluttered, stylish interiors, light colors, and curated art evoke the best elements of an LA vacation. 

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‍How do you preserve the history of the space—and the community of Venice itself—as the hotel enters its second year? 

The first part of the hotel was originally built in 1937 as a Route 66 style motor court called the Red Star Motel. In 1975, the property was purchased by Lyu-yen Chen, an immigrant from Taiwan determined to build a successful life for her family in the new world. She quickly changed the name to the Golden Star Motel (for Lyu-yen, “Red Star” was far too evocative of the Chinese Communist Party and all the havoc it spread). Lyu-yen owned the motel until her passing in 2021 at the age of 91. During her tenure as owner, Lyu-yen became a kind of pillar of the Venice community—at least among its more downtrodden souls. As the counterculture movement in Venice grew over the decades, so did the issues of drug abuse and other vices. As more people in the area fell into addiction and hopelessness, Lyu-yen became known in the community for her generosity and deep care and empathy for all who crossed paths with her. She helped so many people get into recovery programs, offered free motel rooms to those trying to get clean and back on their feet, and mentored people of all ages. While we have now completely transformed the rooms through renovation, I find it vital that we maintain the legacy of generosity, open-mindedness, and overall kindness that Lyu-yen created in this space over nearly 45 years. 

‍You've curated work by Slim Aarons in each room—what is the impact of his artistry on the hotel?

Slim Aarons was known for capturing the essence of leisure and effortless luxury—his work transports viewers into a world where life is beautiful, vibrant, and filled with character. That’s exactly the kind of energy we wanted to bring into the Aliza. I felt like his photography fits perfectly with the Venice spirit, both sophisticated and laid-back. His images tell stories of people living life fully, in beautiful settings, with the kind of effortless authenticity that defines California living at its best. So we chose his work as a foundation for our design–incorporating bright colors and playful elements throughout the space to highlight the lifestyle his work so iconically captured.

‍What kind of stay can guests expect at the Aliza?

A stay at the Aliza is about ease, comfort, and immersion. From the moment guests receive their digital key, everything flows effortlessly—no front desk lines, no complications, just seamless access to a thoughtfully designed space. A collection of small buildings arranged around a central open space gives the hotel an intimate feel—anchored by a light-filled reception area and cozy outdoor lounge spaces perfect for unwinding. The Aliza isn’t about over-the-top luxury—it’s about feeling at home in the heart of Venice and stepping outside to explore the culture, food, and energy that make this place so special.

‍What kind of relationship do you hope guests will build with the city of Venice, and with the hotel itself?

We see the Aliza as a bridge between visitors and the essence of Venice. We hope guests leave not just with memories of a great stay, but with a deeper appreciation for Venice’s culture and energy. The Aliza is designed to feel like a friend’s beautifully curated Venice hideaway—one that welcomes you back anytime.

‍What does hospitality mean to you specifically, and how does it manifest in the way that the Aliza positions itself as an entity?

For us, hospitality is about creating an experience that feels both effortless and deeply thoughtful. The Aliza was named after our grandmother, who, at 95 years old, still loves to host friends and family from all over the world, to throw lavish parties in her home, and to cook Shabbat dinners for the extended family on a nearly weekly basis. She is most in her element when she feels like she is facilitating a sense of ease and joyfulness in those she is entertaining. I believe my sister Donna and I both inherited this gene from her; and we hope to use the Aliza Hotel as a way to bring this passion to both Venice locals and guests from every corner of the world.  

‍What's next from here? What will the Aliza Hotel be in 5, 10, 15 years?

This is just the beginning of the Aliza. In the next few years, we want to continue hosting events that bring locals and travelers together, whether it’s live music nights, intimate gatherings, or collaborations with local artists. Long term, we hope the Aliza becomes a Venice staple, a place for people to sip cocktails and share meals, and one that our guests return to year after year. And maybe one day, the Aliza experience will develop beyond the space we have now. But no matter how we grow, the heart of the Aliza will always be about effortless hospitality and capturing the spirit of Venice in the most seamless way possible.