6 Best Hotels in Downtown and Koreatown, Los Angeles

The new Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel is a design-lover's dream as renowned interior decorator Kelly Wearstler infuses the property with touches of Mexican modernism to Moroccan and Spanish flourishes. Carved out of a 1926 Renaissance Revival building, this luxury lifestyle property has a lot to praise. The food and beverage outlets are by L.A. food royalty Susan Goin and Carolyn Stine and have posts in the lobby and on the roof with a mix of fresh seafood and Mexican and California cuisine. If you want to splurge, one of the suites has its own pool (and has hosted a litany of celebrity guests), while another has an indoor basketball hoop. The hotel is effortlessly chic, has a stunning rooftop, and is a great new place to hang on lazy weekend days, or fun boozy nights. 

The 12-story Hotel Figueroa was originally built in 1926, and touches of that originality are still seen throughout with original skylights, wood beams, and tiles. The stunning redesign now includes a classic bar that specializes in gin drinks, as well as mouthwatering seasonally influenced fare at one of the hotel's two distinctive eaters; one off the main lobby, the other alfresco and poolside. Out back, the original coffin-shaped pool is still alive and kicking and flanked now by a breezy Mexico City--styled bar serving tropical sips. Rooms are tastefully decorated but still hold on to their historical charm.

Originally built in 1926, this Renaissance Revival gem has been renovated to today’s standards and is now a hip and not-terribly-pricey spot to post up in the ever-booming center of Koreatown. The original floors, wood-beam ceilings, copper-colored pillars, and massive fireplace are still on full display in the lobby for history buffs to drool over. The two best things here, though, are Cassell’s Hamburgers, the attached diner with some of the best burgers in town, and Le Comptoir, a one-Michelin-starred French counter spot with eight-course gems in an intimate space.

One of the chicest Downtown hotels, the Hoxton is an open-house hotel where the lobby is the hub of activity and welcoming to all, and has thoughtful design touches that permeate throughout. The historic building was once the headquarters of the L.A. Railway and now sits in an up-and-coming part of the city filled with restaurants and apartments. The highlight of the hotel is on the roof where trendy restaurant Cabra serves Peruvian cuisine from renowned chef Stephanie Izard next to a stunning pool with endless views of Los Angeles.

This boutique hotel pays homage to its Koreatown address with dynamic dining concepts and a hidden karaoke speakeasy. Designer Sean Knibb deconstructed the 12-story building to highlight the concrete, beams, and popcorn ceiling, only then to dress up the rooms in one-of-a-kind art—painted detergent bottles atop the desks, photographs of K-Town, and mismatched eclectic chairs. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the cityscape from your bed (splurge to stay on a higher floor facing the Hollywood Hills). Upstairs restaurant OPENAIRE features California cuisine under a breathtaking greenhouse, while in the lobby Alfred Coffee caffeinates guests with steaming hot lattes. The Lobby Bar is the perfect post-work hangout with creative cocktails and snacks, while in the back of the hotel, locals are lured in by the Houston Brothers' ’80s-themed bar with arcade games and karaoke rooms. There's also Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, a deco-disco with a speakeasy ATM machine entrance. The outdoor pool is another great hotel escape.

Built in 1955 as the headquarters of Standard Oil, the building was completely revamped under the sharp eye of owner André Balazs to become a sleek, cutting-edge hotel with spacious guest rooms. The indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge in a stunning setting has a happening social scene, but be prepared for some attitude at the door. For a less exclusive scene, the Garden Bar on the roof has games and great beer. The Paddle Room lounge is a haven for people-watching.