It’s safe to say that Downtown Los Angeles was, for many years, not the best place to be caught wandering around on your own after dark. Nothing symbolises the gentrification of the area over the past decade or so like the Ritz-Carlton, which in 2010 opened a swanky property, located on floors 23-26 of a 54-storey tower in the heart of the business district.
So while holidaymakers would previously steer towards West Hollywood or Beverly Hills, the presence of the luxury hotel initiated a shift in the culture. Six years later, it’s a hipster’s paradise, with cool coffee shops, vintage boutiques and even a Wholefoods opening to cater to the health nuts of the city.
The contemporary hotel features 109 guest rooms and 14 suites (of 2,920 sq ft apiece), all boasting impressive panoramic views of the city. Marble bathrooms with deep soaking tubs, rainfall showers, anti-fog mirrors (one with a built-in TV) and Asprey toiletry products make it suitable for the most snobbish of guests who pay attention to detail, while the 8,000sq ft spa set on the second floor provides an urban oasis in the heart of the city.
While it’s true that the Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles cannot boast beach proximity, it is perfect for city dwellers looking to make the most of the fun that the city has to offer. Within a block of the hotel is the Staples Center (where the Lakers, Clippers and Kings play), the Nokia Theatre (used mainly for concerts), The Grammy Museum and the Los Angeles Convention Center, as well as plenty of restaurants. So you shouldn’t need to spend that much time at the hotel, but you’ll know that you have a luxury haven waiting for you once your day is over, whatever the time is.
– – –
Rooms start from Dhs1,580 per night, visit ritzcarlton.com
