Loud, fast and glitzy: these are words long associated with the city of big money, big stars and big movie kudos. LA is the kind of place where people mind their own business, where nobody wants to know yours. The city can be difficult to decode, but to those in the know, LA is best interpreted as a collection of satisfyingly small towns, each with its own distinct character. Getting to know LA as a visitor means exploring it bit by bit, neighbourhood by neighbourhood, and downtown is a great place to start!
I recently took a much needed staycation at the Downtown Luxe City Center and was blown away by this not-so-hidden gem. The hotel was designed as a 'urban oasis" that sits directly across the street from LA live. Although the area is very high traffic , there is something especially intimate and discreet about this property. It is private, stylish and the staff consistently exceeded my expectations. The hotel's 178 rooms and 16 suites mix comfort and technology, with ultra-plush duvets, plasma TVs and usb ports in the wall for charging (an amazing feature as I ALWAYS forget my charger.)
The niXon bar inside the hotel easily rivals any other in the neighborhood. The comfortable outdoor couches and fire pit provide a cozy hangout that I took full advantage of! As I took in the sweeping views of downtown I found it pleasantly surprising that I was having such a relaxing experience just a few stories above the chaos of the concrete jungle. The only negative experience I had during my stay was leaving.
If you're visiting Los Angeles soon or need a local get away, I highly recommend checking into the Luxe City Center. You'll thank me later.
Photography Clayton Ford
SHIRT: Lacoste T-SHIRT: John Varvatos PANTS: Burberry SHOES: Tod's