5 Hot Hotels in L.A You Need to Visit

Beyond the gloss and glamour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills, Los Angeles is as diverse as the eclectic communities that make up this world-famous city – from the newly revitalized yet still edgy downtown (DTLA), sophisticated beachside enclave Santa Monica and bohemian little sister Venice, to Eastside hipster hangouts like Los Feliz and Silverlake. If you want to experience a different side of Los Angeles to the likes of the Beverly Hills Hotel and Bel-Air Hotel, look no further.

Each with its own distinctive vibe, boundless sense of energy, and abundance of experiences – think galleries, modern art museums, and boutiques to chef-driven restaurants and cool cocktail bars – these recently (and soon-to-be) opened high-design hotels are some of the hottest and most buzzed-about new additions in neighborhoods across town.

SANTA MONICA PROPER

It’s been more than a decade since a luxury property landed on the Westside, but the 1928-era Spanish Colonial Revival building on 7th and Wilshire reopened this summer with a sleek new look in the form of Santa Monica Proper. Sitting comfortably between traditional five-star and boutique neighborhood hotel, the landmark building has been reimagined by superstar interior designer Kelly Wearstler. All 271 guest rooms and suites are sophisticated with a dash of California Cool –– think mix and match furniture, eclectic global accents, and a palette of earth-toned neutrals.

Dining options include lobby restaurant Palma for small plates and natural wines, and all-day restaurant Onda. Head to the stylish rooftop swimming pool and rooftop bar Calabra for panoramic views or venture out and explore––the famed Santa Monica Pier and twice-weekly Farmers’ Market are both just minutes away.

Extra Touches: Rooms come with robes by Parachute Home and bath products from Australian luxury skincare brand Aesop, plus, portable boom boxes for taking to the beach. The first-ever Surya Ayurvedic Hotel Spa will open later this year under wellness guru Martha Soffer. Find out more at the Santa Monica Proper website.

700 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Read more: Downtown L.A Proper Hotel Review

 

ARTS DISTRICT FIREHOUSE HOTEL

The latest project from hospitality entrepreneur Dustin Lancaster has transformed a historic 1927 fire station on Santa Fe Avenue into the now hip design-focused Firehouse Hotel, and a new neighborhood gathering place in L.A.’s white-hot Arts District. Themed by a single color, each of the nine bedrooms–––including the tastefully tangerine-hued 70s inspired Orange Room––has been styled to resemble longer stay apartments with Smeg fridges, extra sinks, and separate living areas.

In addition to the lobby bar and pastry case, where non-guests are encouraged to stop by for Counter Culture Coffee brews, the beautiful outdoor restaurant and lounge features a modern-American menu by executive chef Ashley Abodee (Make It Nice Hospitality Group, NoMad Restaurant). After checking out nearby Hauser & Wirth gallery and retail/recreation concept ROW DTLA, both less than a mile away, the Firehouse patio is an inviting spot to sit back with a Lillet Rosé Spritz during happy hour.

Extra Touches: In addition to the “I’m taking these home” Le Labo bath products, Lancaster partnered with local makers, including Clare Vivier (owner of French-inspired accessories brand Clare V.) on in-room items and retail shop goodies, including a rob, tote bag, and leather key chain tassels. Find out more at the Firehouse Hotel website.

710 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021

 

THE HOXTON DOWNTOWN LA

The London-based Hoxton hotel brand has converted the historic Los Angeles Railway Authority building in the heart of downtown’s theater district into the ninth––and newest––location of its hip hotel chain with The Hoxton Downtown LA. Constructed in 1922, influences from the building’s Beaux Arts architecture style are weaved throughout the 174 guest bedrooms created by the (also) London-based Ennismore Design Studio. Decorative accents, including local artwork, retro telephones and radios, and ceramics from East London also feature.

The bedrooms, which come in four categories––Snug, Cozy, Roomy, Biggy––have been finished in a light and fresh color palette punctuated by bold patterns, including chevron timber floors and Moroccan zellige-tiled bathrooms. For drinking and dining there’s Sibling Rival, an all-day seasonal dinner offering modern riffs on American classics. Set to officially open in October advanced reservations are currently being taken.

Extra Touches: With its Los Angeles skyline views, guests will dig the rooftop pool (a Hoxton first) and adjoining restaurant and bar, Pilot, with Mediterranean coastal-inspired dishes and drinks. Find out more at The Hoxton website.

1060 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015

 

NoMAD LOS ANGELES

With its fluted Corinthian column façade, blue and gold Italianate lobby ceiling, and opulent furnishings in velvet and luxurious leather, vintage glamour most definitely meets West Coast at the NoMad Los Angeles. Alongside its 241 impeccably appointed guest rooms, the 1920s-era building is home to the Giannini Bar (a dimly-lit art deco stunner) and a lobby-level namesake restaurant overseen by chef Daniel Humm, perhaps best known for his three-Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park in New York.

While the quite lovely rooftop pool are, designed by French architect Jacques Garcia, has a bijou bar and fabulous views of the city. Located in a vibrant part of downtown, must-see contemporary art mecca The Broad is an easy half-mile walk along South Grand Avenue, while Little Tokyo and the Arts District Station a quick five-minute Uber ride away.

Extra Touches: Expect custom made argan bath amenities in every room. Downstairs, boutique concept store, Please Do Not Enter, carries tasteful home goods, fragrances, and clothing. Find out more at the NoMad Los Angeles website.

649 S Olive St (at W 7th St) Los Angeles, CA 90014

 

KIMPTON LA PEER WEST HOLLYWOOD

Despite being nestled on a quiet street in the heart of West Hollywood’s Design District, the Kimpton La Peer is a buzzy hub for hip travelers and locals alike. As with all Kimpton properties, La Peer is completely pet-friendly –– including its handsome backyard lap pool flanked by olive trees and a vertical garden. Thanks to Icelandic-born, LA-based designer Gulla Jónsdóttir the décor here is an ode to understated Scandinavian-chic with plenty of natural materials throughout the 105 rooms and shared spaces––think white oak flooring and leather walls.

Trattoria-style restaurant Viale Dei Romani serves up millennial favorites, like avocado toast, alongside dishes with a more Italian focus, plus well-made craft cocktails. Coffee and kombucha are available throughout the day beside reception, and at 5 p.m. staff roll out a wine trolley for the nightly social hour. Notable bars, coffee shops, restaurants and shops along nearby Melrose Avenue are all within easy walking distance.

Extra Touches: The Tesla house car is available for one-mile radius journeys if booked in advance. In-room experiences include the Signature La Peer Bath with Ole Henriksen products and a bespoke speakeasy cocktail service. Find out more at the La Peer website.

627 N. La Peer Drive, West Hollywood, CA 90026

 

Related Content

BEST RESTAURANTS IN LONDON FOR A GIRLS DINNER
LUXURY THREE DAY GUIDE TO TELLURIDE COLORADO
TENNESSEE WILLIAMS LITERARY FESTIVAL, NEW ORLEANS
10 BEST MICHELIN-STARRED RESTAURANTS IN CALIFORNIA
BEST RESTAURANTS IN NEW YORK FOR A GIRLS DINNER
LUXURY TWO DAY GUIDE TO PALM SPRINGS
LUXURY TWO DAY GUIDE TO LOS CABOS MEXICO
A QUICK GUIDE TO VISITING CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA CALIFORNIA