Los Angeles is practically the epicenter when it comes to style and character. The City of Angels boasts a creative hub that encompasses everything from design and food to fashion, arts, and film; the list goes on. Basically, anything that’s entertaining, glam, and glitz, it’s there. And it’s the boutique hotels where LA’s imagination comes to the fore. The general vibe today is ‘let’s get bougie, let’s boutique!’ The city brims with boutique getaways that are just as distinct as its character, especially Downtown. The many fantastic boutique hotels in Downtown LA range from thriving Hollywood getaways to chic Beverly Hills retreats. What’s more, they encompass everything from offbeat themes to funky lobby bars and feature handcrafted furnishings, vintage decor, and mood lighting. In short, they have everything that discerning travelers want. It’s this artisan feel that sets them apart from brand hotels, as they’re as inspiring as they’re restorative.
Of course, there’s so much to see and do in Los Angeles. For instance, the city is home to three of the top tourist attractions in the US, namely Venice Beach, Hollywood Walk Of Fame, and Universal Studios Hollywood. What’s more, the latter is even one of the world’s best amusement parks. Plus, Los Angeles Zoo is one of the world’s largest zoos. And if all that wasn’t enough, Samuel Oschin Planetarium is one of the world’s most amazing planetariums. So, what are you waiting for? Here are the 11 best boutique hotels in Downtown LA for a memorable vacation.
Table of contents
- Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles
- Tuck Hotel
- The Hoxton
- Hotel Figueroa DTLA
- NoMad Los Angeles
- Freehand Los Angeles
- The Wayfarer Downtown LA
- Soho Warehouse
- Palihotel Culver City
- Silver Lake Pool & Inn
- Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel
- Recommended Restaurants/Bar in Downtown LA
- Recommended Things To Do in Downtown LA
- Where To Stay in Downtown LA
Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles
11
Ace Hotel in Downtown is one of the most striking boutique hotels in Downtown LA. Musicians, artists, and night owls abound at this amazing hotel, which boasts eye-popping 1920s architecture, including a ’20s movie palace! Aside from the lovely Spanish-Gothic motifs, you’ll love the lobby coffee kiosk and the poolside bar, from where you can order cocktails after a leisurely swim. The rooms are said to be inspired by Rudolf Schindler’s West Hollywood residence, while the decor is distinctly contemporary. Think Mondrian-like patterned Pendleton blankets, Noguchi lamps, and dark grey furniture. What’s more, some rooms even have acoustic Martin guitars, custom Revo Radios, and/or turntables with a curated vinyl selection. Custom robes are not-so-custom and feature across rooms, as do well-stocked minibars and even free condoms and chopsticks! Finally, the Carrara marble bathrooms feel as sleek as bathroom spaces can get.
Tuck Hotel
10
Don’t be fooled by the unassuming Downtown facade of the Tuck Hotel, which is merely a foil for its intriguing interiors. The rooms and suites are upscale and drenched in blacks and charcoal greys – straight out of Hollywood noir. Swirling artwork and monochromatic furniture awaits you in the moodily-lit rooms, brightened by lovely golden bedside lamps. Plus, all rooms even have old-school telephones and retro Marshall speakers, which add to the vintage vibe. The rest of this hip hotel is equally impressive, especially the cosmopolitan bar and the laidback restaurant that serves a delicious breakfast and other meals.
The Hoxton
9
The Hoxton is one of the best boutique hotels in Downtown LA, tucked in the heart of the historic theater district. The vibe is evident right off the bat, with the lobby blending modern touches with original 1922 Beaux-Arts elements. The rooms might be on the smaller side, but they’re painfully cool and slick, with fun little amenities such as locally curated book collections. What’s more, many boast sweeping DTLA skyline views. Wi-fi is complimentary, but the highlight is the complimentary breakfast bags with a banana, OJ, granola, and yogurt left on your doorknob in the mornings! Plus, in-room minibars have been replaced by the lobby Hox Shop, and the small but lovely pool is a great place to cool off. Moreover, a chic craft cafe, an all-day diner, a seafood restaurant, and a wonderful rooftop bar complete the place.
Hotel Figueroa DTLA
8
Hotel Figueroa is an oasis of calm in Downtown LA’s chaos and also happens to be one of Los Angeles’ best family hotels. Contemporary Spanish design melds with Old World charm, whether the communal areas or the rooms. Rooms and suites are spaces of calm, complete with homey accents, warm fixtures, and comfy seating areas. Even bathrooms are chic and feature bright fig-leaf wallpapers that emphasize the hotel’s nickname: the Fig. What’s more, there is no shortage of amazing drinking and dining options, including a poolside Spanish casita restaurant and a lovely cafe serving delish continental meals. The coffin-shaped pool is a serene space to enjoy a laidback morning cooling off, after which you can head to a pasta lunch at the Italian restaurant. And if you’re interested in people-watching, the lobby with cushy armchairs and a great fireplace is ideal.
NoMad Los Angeles
7
The glam-slam NoMad is one of the best boutique hotels in Downtown LA. This hotel oozes a charming blend of West Coast cool and vintage Hollywood glamor. The 1920s structure retains many original neoclassical details, such as the fluted Corinthian column façade and the soaring lobby with its gold-and-blue Italianate ceiling. Moreover, the rooms and suites radiate a sunny modern-day California vibe. You’ll especially love the classic queen rooms with pale mint-green walls, contemporary photography and art, and oak floors. Even the tech is modish but not overwhelmingly complex. It’s no wonder that this is one of Los Angeles’ most romantic hotels.
Downstairs, the restaurant and bar serve up great food and even better cocktails. Furthermore, the basement gym and the lovely rooftop pool area with a bar next to it are the highlights of this concept boutique hotel.
Freehand Los Angeles
6
The Freehand is not just one of the best luxury hotels in Los Angeles but is one of Los Angeles’ best hotels. This DTLA hotel is a stylish hostel, but it takes the lowly ‘hostel’ tag to newer, upscale heights. Think a high-ceilinged lobby, expansive windows, and even a stunning original 1930s tiled bar. Rooms, which range from dorms and shared studios to suites, are simple yet stylish and decked with local artwork and custom lights and furniture. Even the dorms feel private due to thoughtful design additions such as reading lights, outlets, and privacy screens at each cedar bunk bed.
The amenities here sure feel like that at a hotel for a hostel, hence the ’boutique hotel’ tag. For one, there’s a fabulous rooftop pool. Secondly, the tea cafe in the lobby serves creative tea-infused cocktails. And if that wasn’t enough, the restaurant serves a wonderful Israeli-inspired menu of shared plates. Oof. Oh, and did we mention that it’s also gay-popular and is one of Los Angeles’ best gay-friendly hotels? Yep.
The Wayfarer Downtown LA
5
The community-focused Wayfarer DTLA is one of the chicest boutique hotels in Downtown LA. This historic Broadway Corridor hotel occupies the former Ritz Milner building. So, it makes for the perfect base to enjoy exploring Downtown and LA in general. The eclectic accommodations include both thoughtfully designed private and shared rooms. Moreover, modern touches such as rainfall showers, app streaming, and workstations make them the perfect digs for urban adventurers. A variety of interactive gathering spots is the highlight of the hotel’s offerings, and the Wayfarer has three of them. The underground parlor bar, Lilly Rose, is ideal for nightcaps, while the Gaslighter Social Club has its own tap wall! But, it’s the rooftop ‘Kitchen’ that is rather a favorite with guests staying at these DTLA digs.
Soho Warehouse
4
The 48-room Soho Warehouse, the brand’s first LA hotel, draws inspiration from the deco period. Solo and couple travelers will love the rooms and suites that range from Cosy to Large in size, with Medium and Big in the middle. What’s more, the larger ones even boast sky-high ceilings and soaking tubs. But, each and every one of them has a home-away-from-home feel, complete with warm velvet accents and jewel tones that are pleasing to the eyes. Moreover, the lush rooftop terrace is the heart of the hotel’s communal space, complete with a bar/restaurant that serves upscale American comfort food. Even something as basic as the gym is an art and design haven is not worth missing seeing – or working out in. All in all, the SoHo House is the gold standard when it comes to exclusive, members-only, modern-day LA clubs.
Palihotel Culver City
3
Hardly 10 minutes outside the fringes of Downtown LA sits Palihotel Culver City, one of the chicest boutique hotels near Downtown LA. The hotel brings undeniable and inimitable cool to an oft-overlooked area of Tinseltown. Despite its off-the-main-drag location, you can’t miss the striking teal blue-meets-turquoise facade, with a botanical mural completely covering one side of the structure. What’s more, the ’20s façade, combined with the Deco light fixtures, street numbers, and signage, feels both classic Hollywood and Parisian.
On the inside, a lovely lobby with vintage artwork welcomes you within. Rooms are spread across four floors; higher-ups have views of the courtyard garden, and some ground-level ones open onto a terrace. Furthermore, the vibe is thoroughly beachy – think painted wooden shutters, lots of wood, and white walls. The rest is all accents and textures, with striped throw pillows, plain blankets, and floral upholstery. Old-world charm (Bakelite rotary telephones, pin-up prints, old-school alarm clocks) blend beautifully with modern touches (free Wi-Fi, minibars, flatscreen TVs, and rain showers). An all-day French bistro and a bar that serves delicious craft cocktails make up the rest of the place.
Silver Lake Pool & Inn
2
Silver Lake Pool & Inn sits in Silver Lake on the northern fringes of Downtown LA. Imagine Baja California meeting Palm Springs; that’s this hotel for you. The 54-room hotel might have an unassuming facade, but on the inside, it’s all business. Moreover, all rooms and suites are welcomingly spacious, but the higher-up ones are even more so and have bird’s-eye views of the surrounding region. Warehouse-style windows, potted plants, baskets, and pastel colors pair wonderfully with mod-cons such as smart TVs and Nespresso machines. The focal point of the hotel is the upper-level pool deck, which has deck chairs, loungers, stripy parasols, its own pool menu! Finally, the restaurant and bar serve a variety of delicious food, including all meals.
Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel
1
Downtown LA Proper Hotel is one of the top boutique hotels in Downtown LA. The hotel has breathed new life into an abandoned 1920s California Renaissance Revival structure and is one of LA’s most sought-after boutique hotels. On the inside, you’ll find globally-inspired details with Moroccan, Mexican, Portuguese, and Spanish design elements; think vintage rugs and furniture and hand-painted tiles. Despite being of different sizes, rooms and suites are spacious with minibars, plush beds, Moroccan-inspired walk-in showers, and Aesop bath products. The food at this property is another highlight, including the lobby-level restaurant bar and the rooftop Cara Cara that’s perfect for sundowners and nightcaps. Finally, the rooftop pool surrounded by loungers is a great place to enjoy a swim and unwind.
Recommended Restaurants/Bar in Downtown LA
- Smorgasburg LA: This cornucopia of retail and food stalls happens to be an incubator for some of the best upcoming small food businesses in the city. Every Sunday, you’ll find dozens of food vendors at this ROW DTLA market, featuring a mix of future foodie stars and much-loved pop-ups.
- Bestia: Even after 10 years of opening, this Arts District’s staple still requires reservations done weeks in advance. It’s not surprising, given the innovative Italian food that comes straight from the wood-burning oven to your table. Some of the best dishes include the spaghetti rustichella and the the chocolate budino tart.
Recommended Things To Do in Downtown LA
- Downtown Los Angeles Architecture Walking Tour: This architectural history tour of Downtown Los Angeles will tell you more than history books and travel guides ever will! Explore the styles of Modernism, Art Deco, Renaissance Revival, Beaux Arts by walking the Broadway Theater District, the Historic Core, and the Financial District.
Where To Stay in Downtown LA
Downtown Los Angeles is the financial and historic heart of the city and is packed with cultural attractions. These include a majority of the city’s theaters and Walt Disney Concert Hall, and even the famous Grand Central Market food court. Moreover, it’s also LA’s central public transport hub, including the Metro, which means day trips are easier if you stay in Downtown LA.
Downtown Los Angeles happens to be one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the city, complete with free Dash buses that zip between the main sights. The Arts District and Grand Central Market areas boast a burgeoning culinary and nightlife scene. Meanwhile, El Pueblo and Little Tokyo will fascinate culture vultures, as they’re rich enclaves of Spanish/Mexican and Japanese cultures, respectively. Furthermore, Chinatown lies just north of Downtown, while the Fashion and Jewelry district will appeal immensely to shopping freaks. Finally, the historic Broadway Theatre District is home to 12 movie theaters built way back in 1910 -1931.
If you’re planning a wonderful trip to La La Land, here are some of the unmissable things to do in LA.
