Hotel at a Glance: LA Hotel Downtown

Fresh off a $25 million renovation, the LA Hotel Downtown gleams with Southern California glamour. A two-story entryway leads to the trendy hotel bar, where a 25-foot-tall glass wall looks out to the skyline. Outside, at Pool La La, you can lounge on a chair or go for a swim amid views of sleek skyscrapers.

• Admire the view of downtown LA through your room’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
• In-room amenities include 40” TVs, marble-and-stone bathrooms, Serta Perfect Sleeper beds, LED reading lights, blackout curtains, and iHome stereo systems.
• Take a dip in the heated outdoor pool.
• Sip signature cocktails at Bar9, and dine on lobster beignets and duck confit quesadillas at Ziran Restaurant.
• Squeeze in a workout at the 24-hour fitness center, equipped with cardio machines, free weights, and a yoga space.

Downtown Los Angeles: Shopping, Restaurants, and Museum Row in the Heart of L.A.

Just a few blocks from the hotel, Wilshire Boulevard runs for 15 miles through the heart of Los Angeles, ending at Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. There are dozens of restaurants and boutiques along the boulevard, and many of the best are within walking distance of the hotel. Additionally, the hotel is near entertainment meccas such as L.A. Live, the Staples Center, and Nokia Theatre.

Museum Row is also located on Wilshire Boulevard, in the so-called Miracle Mile between Fairfax Boulevard and La Brea Boulevard. Four of Los Angeles’ most notable institutions are clustered here: LA County Museum of Art, The Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits, Craft and Folk Art Museum, and Petersen Automotive Museum. Preserved Ice Age fossils of mammoths, dire wolves, and sabertooth tigers are on display at The Page Museum, all of which were excavated by paleontologists at the neighboring La Brea Tar Pits.

The bright lights of Hollywood aren’t too far away. The cemented handprints of Tinseltown celebs, including Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne, are on the sidewalk in front of the iconic TCL Chinese Theater (formerly known as Grauman’s Chinese Theater). Or, experience the movies firsthand at Universal Studios Hollywood, just 6 miles from the hotel. Its interactive thrill rides are inspired by classic and contemporary films such as Jurassic Park, King Kong, and Transformers.