The choice of hotels in Downtown Los Angeles is suitably large, ranging from the budget to the ultra-decadent.
(Photo: The Los Angeles Athletic Club)
Those who know it only from the silver screen may imagine that Downtown Los Angeles is little more than a backdrop for movies. But in real life, it is also a thriving city teeming with restaurants, entertainment venues, cultural attractions and plenty more besides. For those seeking upscale accommodation in downtown LA, but without spending a fortune, we’ve picked out five of the best 4-star hotels that the area has to offer.
The Los Angeles Athletic Club
As the name alludes, this Los Angeles hotel also doubles as a sports club, with all guests given free use of its services and facilities, which include an indoor swimming pool, basketball, squash and volleyball courts, and daily fitness classes. Personal training sessions are also available. Guest rooms are decorated in dark colours with bright accents and all come with a flat-screen TV, an iPod dock and a refrigerator. Other hotel amenities include two on-site restaurants and a chic bar serving pre-prohibition style cocktails. The Los Angeles Convention Center is a 5-minute drive away, making it a popular choice with business travellers. From $197 per night.
The Biltmore
(Photo: The Biltmore)
Just minutes from a subway station, this hotel is convenient for guests keen to explore beyond the local vicinity – although with The Museum of Contemporary Art and Walt Disney Concert Hall within easy reach by foot, there’s plenty of good reasons to spend time close to the hotel too. Guest rooms feature rich, warm décor, along with amenities such as a safe, work desk and coffee maker, while marble bathrooms add a dash of luxury. Elsewhere in the hotel, there are several restaurants and bars, with the Gallery Bar and Cognac Room offering live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights, plus a Roman-style indoor pool and hot tub, and a gymnasium. From $216 per night.
The Delphi Hotel
Located in the heart of downtown LA, this renowned hotel has been a staple on the city’s hospitality scene since the 1950s. It features an array of enticing amenities including an outdoor lounge with a fire pit, a 1950s-style diner – offering a nod to the hotel’s heritage – a stylish café and lobby bar that’s ideal for pre-dinner drinks or nightcaps, and a state-of-the-art gymnasium that’s open all hours. Modern guest rooms are no less impressive, with glass walk-in showers and minibars. All of the many landmarks and attractions of downtown, including its shops, restaurants, parks and museums, are within easy walking distance. From $175 per night.
Omni Los Angeles Hotel
(Photo: Omni Los Angeles Hotel)
Situated at the peak of Los Angeles’ historic Bunker Hill, this lavish hotel is perfectly placed for culture vultures, with the Museum of Contemporary Art just next door. Stylish guest rooms are decorated with deep chocolate browns and striking midnight blue accents, while private bathrooms feature luxurious granite and marble. Other hotel amenities include two on-site restaurants, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and an outdoor patio offering scenic views of the downtown LA skyline. Notable attractions including the LA Live entertainment complex and Nokia Theatre can be reached by car in just a few minutes. From $226 per night.
Sheraton Grand Los Angeles
Popular with business travellers, this high-rise hotel combines a prime location in the city’s financial district with some top-notch amenities, Among them are a popular on-site restaurant, a lobby bar and lounge, a gymnasium, a business centre and meeting rooms. Guests arriving in their own transport can also make use of complimentary valet parking. Guest rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, coffee-maker and a private bathroom. The hotel is part of the Bloc shopping and entertainment centre, offering easy access to a wide choice of eateries, bars and boutiques. There’s a metro station just seconds away, too. From $186 per night.