Hotels With Cool Factor In Downtown Los Angeles

We’re pretty familiar with Los Angeles and usually have a place to stay with family, but I secretly enjoy booking some nights at hotels. They’re just SO good there! We normally stay on the West Side for logistical reasons (as one needs to consider when visiting LA) but downtown was a better neighborhood this time. My boyfriend had a work conference in the area, and it gave us a great opportunity to check out some new spots. While downtown LA has a gritty reputation (and some legit safety concerns on certain corners) there’s also a cool edginess to the bars and restaurants.

Night one was spent at the Downtown LA Proper. We improvised and I flew down from SF a day early, swiftly changing my flight and securing a booking via Hoteltonight. The spontaneity paid off - I’m glad we squeezed a night in and looking back I would’ve preferred to stay here the whole time. While smaller than the Santa Monica Proper this location is filled with vibrant colors, textures and clashing patterns. We spent a lot of time on the rooftop, dipping a toe in the pool’s water backdropped by the entire skyline. I worked up there for most of the day (quite the zoom background flex) and we had a few rounds of drinks at the rooftop bar and restaurant, Cara Cara.

The next two nights we spent at the Ace DTLA. The hotel is designed in sleek tones: black, dark green and gold with checkered flooring. It’s very cool, but sacrifices on the comfort side. Cement covers the walls, floors and ceiling and the beds are low to the ground. One of the cards on the back of our door described it as “insane asylum chic” and I tended to agree. One big thing to consider for booking is this is a loud hotel. There is a music venue attached and if there is a show you basically have front row seats via your room. I actually was bummed I was trying to sleep because the music was so good if we had gone out and made me want to dance. Once the 2am noise ordinance kicked in we got some reprieve, but we ended up changing rooms. The next night instead of music we got the soundtrack of people partying til the wee morning hours. If you care about a cool factor this place is great, just be sure to bring earplugs.

Where We Eat & Drink

There are a lot of cool and buzzy bars and restaurants in downtown LA or the neighboring Arts District. We didn’t get to try all of them, but here’s what’s on my list:

Restaurants

Bestia: This husband and wife Italian restaurant has been around for a decade. As soon as my car pulled up I knew it was going to be great. I heard the crowd from the outside, leaving my luggage with the hostess and sifting through the tables for my boyfriend and his colleagues. It was 8pm on a Wednesday and totally packed with a fashionable and good time seeking crowd. The hard edged industrial decor is a nice contrast to the warm piles of pasta (the ricotta tortelli is perfectly tomatoey and pillowy).

Bottega Louie: On one of my first work trips to LA from New York we went to Bottega. I remember walking in and the gleaming bar was bustling, thinking “things happen here.” You’ll find a nice array of food options (pizza, pasta, fresh seafood and salads) but keep in mind they don’t take reservations and they get busy fast.

Perch: We didn’t get to visit, but this French-inspired rooftop bistro has unobstructed views of the skyline and many indoor/outdoor seating options with fireplaces to stay cozy on those chilly LA nights.

Soho Warehouse: If you’re lucky enough to know someone or have a membership Soho House’s downtown Warehouse location has a rooftop, in house kitchen and their Mandolin Taverna restaurant, which serves Greek and Mediterranean fare al fresco in their garden space.

Factory Kitchen : When we go to LA all I want is to catch up on great Italian food and this one even has the seal of approval from my boyfriend’s Italian stepmother so you know it’s good. The highlights include a mound of burrata and prosciutto, the handkerchief pesto pasta and you can’t leave without a cannoli.