 |
| Photo by Freeimages.com/Nicole Kotschate |
by Sara Benson, The Daily Telegraph, July 21, 2016
An insider's guide to the top hotels in Downtown Los Angeles, from funky boutique hotels to budget accommodation, including the best for rooftop swimming pools, high-rise restaurants, rooms with city views and state-of-the-art spas, near L.A. LIVE, Hollywood, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Broad and Los Angeles City Hall.
The Standard, Downtown LA
The hotel inhabits a 1950s vintage Standard Oil building. The real scene orbits the see-and-be-seen rooftop bar and swimming pool, which has striking views of Downtown LA. Mingle with cocktails around the pool while DJs spin electronica. Back down to earth, the hotel's eponymous restaurant is open around the clock, serving American comfort food. Spacious rooms are cheekily named by size, from 'medium' to 'gigantic' and even 'wow!'. The décor still has plenty of minimalist appeal: platform beds with white Egyptian cotton bedding, and a colour scheme of slate grey. Bathrooms have glass walls, so be prepared to bare all.
Read the full review: The Standard, Downtown LA
The real scene at The Standard orbits the see-and-be-seen rooftop bar and swimming pool.
Millennium Biltmore
This grand dame is downtown's most historic hotel, having been originally built in 1923 in a mix of Spanish, Mediterranean and Beaux Arts styles. Soaring, intricately painted ceilings, marble fountains, and hand-painted murals adorn many of the public spaces, which you may recognise from Hollywood films including Independence Day and The Italian Job. Several of the earliest Academy Awards ceremonies were held inside the Biltmore’s Crystal Ballroom. The hotel’s indoor swimming pool recalls the Roaring Twenties and travel by ocean liners. For traditionalists, high tea is served in the downstairs Rendezvous Court, where a fountain spritzes among the greenery.
Read the full review: Millennium Biltmore
JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE
This sleek, contemporary high-rise hotel rises like an exclamation point on Downtown LA's skyline. The towering accommodation is covered in blue-tinted glass that gleams in the California sunshine. It's smack in the middle of the L.A. LIVE entertainment, dining and shopping complex, where you'll find the Staples Center sports arena and the glittering Grammy Museum. Some bedrooms have city skyline views. For Hollywood-inspired rejuvenation — perhaps a champagne body treatment finished with a dusting of 24-karat gold powder — book an appointment at the spa. Ascend to the 24th floor for a table with a view at star chef Wolfgang Puck's WP24, an Asian fusion restaurant.
Read the full review: JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE
The towering JW Marriott LIVE is covered in blue-tinted glass that gleams in the California sunshine.
• Top 10: the best budget hotels in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Athletic Club
This atmospheric hotel, situated inside the city's oldest private club, whispers tales of film stars from Hollywood's golden years. Charlie Chaplin once lived here. Hollywood celebrities like Mary Pickford and Rudolph Valentino, as well as the adventure writer Jack London, lounged here. Today the club mixes its heritage — overstuffed wing-back chairs, Persian-patterned rugs and brass chandeliers dress up the lobby — with hip style that epitomises Downtown LA's ongoing revitalisation. In the bedrooms, expect hunter-green carpeting, and old-fashioned alarm clocks. The hotel's Invention Bar specialises in traditional cocktails made from pre-Prohibition recipes.
Read the full review: Los Angeles Athletic Club
Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles
Located in the Gothic, former United Artists Building on South Broadway, a thriving and fast-gentrifying area. Inside, the look is LA Noir meets Old Hollywood. Original poured concrete columns and decorative detailing is still in place, complemented by a mish-mash of local designers’ artworks and interiors. Expect sneaker-clad skater boys rather than suited bellboys as the face of the laid-back service here. The rooftop swimming pool and sun deck, modelled on Hollywood nightclub Les Deux Café, is a welcome summertime spot. The restaurant spills out onto the street and is busy with Angelenos dining on gravlax and avocado toast at breakfast time.
Read the full review: Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles
On entering rooms at the Ace Hotel. you feel as if you’ve been handed the keys to a friend’s warehouse studio.
Hilton Checkers Los Angeles
This petite 1920s property, in the heart of Downtown LA, stands next to the city's architecturally fascinating Central Library. Expect Art Deco interiors and a savvy concierge desk. The best place for unwinding is on the rooftop deck, which has skyline views of Downtown LA and chaise longues for soaking up the California sunshine. Since this is a historic hotel, rooms have their own quirky shape, but all are amply sized. Bathrooms open to reveal pedestal sinks that are a nod to the hotel's history, as well as contemporary, glass-enclosed walk-in showers. At breakfast, try the Mexican-American offerings such as huevos rancheros eggs with chorizo sausage, black beans and salsa.
Read the full review: Hilton Checkers Los Angeles
The best place for unwinding at Hilton Checkers Los Angeles is on the rooftop deck.
The LINE Hotel
A trendy hotel in LA’s Koreatown. The Hollywood Hills bedrooms are a particular treat — think giant windows with views overlooking the Hollywood sign on a clear day. Even the rooms with city views feature floor-to-ceiling windows. Sleeping quarters also have unusual artwork, from replica detergent bottles on bedside tables to metal bird sculptures fixed to the walls. The hotel boasts a rooftop pool and greenhouse, and the main restaurant, Pot, run by American-Korean chef Roy Choi, serves an array of Korean food, from hot pots to barbecue. Don't miss out on ordering one of the kimchi and curry sojo cocktails in the lobby bar.
Read the full review: The LINE Hotel
The LINE is a trendy hotel in LA's Koreatown.
Miyako Hotel Los Angeles
This Little Tokyo lodging in downtown LA puts an elegant spin on the chain hotel concept. It may look much less than exciting from the outside, but step inside the lobby to appreciate the thoughtful touches that set it apart, including fresh flowers, glowing white beaded chandeliers and black-and-white designs of traditional Japanese crests on the walls. A highlight of staying here is the hotel’s Japanese-style spa, with hot tubs, sauna and steam rooms. Expect an East-meets-West breakfast buffet, and traditional Japanese restaurant and sushi bar tucked away on the second floor.
Read the full review: Miyako Hotel Los Angeles
Luxe City Center
This shiny and stylish boutique hotel, popular for its location across the street from L.A. LIVE, is a chic place to sleep. Think white-leather sofas and stylised Hollywood film prints popping out from the walls. Welcoming hotel staff stand at the ready with recommendations of what to see and do around Downtown, and on hot days, you can paddle around the hotel's rooftop pool. Rooms and suites feel spacious and not too dark, despite a design palette of black, mahogany, tan and gold. Marble-inlaid bathrooms show off sleek table-top sinks and walk-in glass showers. Head to niXon global kitchen + patio lounge for boozy milkshakes and ahi tuna tacos.
Read the full review: Luxe City Center
Luxe City Center is popular for its location across the street from L.A. LIVE.The best hotels in Los Angeles View all
-
Casa del Mar Santa Monica, Los Angeles, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
A luxurious hotel with sweeping views of the Pacific. Casa del Mar started as a beach club in the... Read expert reviewFrom£446inc. tax Check Availability Rates provided byBooking.com
-
Shutters on the Beach Santa Monica, Los Angeles, United States
9 Telegraph expert rating
Hobnob with the occasional celebrity at this seaside American beach house in Santa Monica. Breezy... Read expert review From£442inc. tax Check Availability Rates provided byBooking.com
-
The Beverly Hills Hotel Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, United States
8 Telegraph expert rating
Oh, if the palm-printed walls of The Beverly Hills Hotel could talk. Its history is laced with st... Read expert review From£427inc. tax Check Availability Rates provided byBooking.com
Follow the latest Telegraph Travel news
This article was written by Sara Benson from The Daily Telegraph and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.
