The San Vincente Inn in West Hollywood is famous—some would say infamous—as a clothing-optional motel frequented by men looking for more than a good night's rest. But boutique hotelier Jeff Klein, who bought the property last summer, is determined to transform the 29-room den of iniquity into a high-end haven for guests of every orientation.

Klein, who also owns the nearby Sunset Tower Hotel, will sink some $30 million into San Vincente to realize his vision. But with permits and upgrades to the bungalows taking longer than expected, he had to figure out what to do with the property in the meantime.

“At first, I just planned to keep it running how it was, which was basically a gay bathhouse, and then close for the refurbishment,” Klein told the New York Times. “But then there was a near overdose. Seriously! It was like land of the missing teeth in here. I couldn’t bear it.”

The result: A “pop-up hotel” that retains San Vincente's shabby chic vibe but incorporates some upmarket improvements to help improve the motel's image. After all, what self-respecting Angelino doesn't get a facelift in her golden years?

Over the last two months Mr. Klein has spent $300,000 on mattresses, linens, televisions and carpeting. Rooms have been spackled and painted; broken bathroom tiles have been replaced. (The eight-nozzle showers remain. Ahem.) The inn’s quiet courtyard, where a rectangular pool stretches between wisteria-draped trellises, has been planted with $30,000 worth of palms and flowers.

“I have cushions coming for those deck chairs that are really chic,” Mr. Klein said, pointing to a breakfast nook. He turned to his front desk agent, Corey Spears, and noted that employees now wear uniforms — khakis and tucked-in white polos — and serve a breakfast of chocolate croissants and fruit. (Out: staph infections. In: cute staff.) “How soon will we be able to open the new cabana?” Mr. Klein asked.

The biggest change, though, is that Klein has put the kibosh on San Vincente's clothing-optional  policy. “We have a baby staying here now,” he says proudly.

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