Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel’s Creative Allure
In the heart of Downtown Los Angeles’ vibrant South Park District, Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel is a feast for the senses. Originally built as a private sporting club turned YWCA, the 1926 California Renaissance Revival landmark was reimagined in 2021 as a modern boutique hotel with an expressive soul. The creative vision of designer Kelly Wearstler masterfully blends the building’s period architectural elements with Mexican modernism and a mix of French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Moroccan design flourishes. Every space tells a story through a tapestry of textures, curated vintage furnishings, handcrafted details, and statement-making murals and installations by local artists.
In the hotel lobby, a tiled reception desk by ceramicist Morgan Peck welcomes guests while a custom mural by Abel Marcias climbs along the arched ceilings. Just off the lobby, stained-glass windows and doors by Judson Studios frame the entrance to the hotel’s signature restaurant, Caldo Verde. More than 100 different kinds of tile are integrated into the design of the hotel, ranging from hand-painted to vintage to custom-commissioned and fabricated. Wearstler’s singular creative vision is woven through all 147 guest rooms and suites and spills onto the rooftop lounge and pool with its stunning, panoramic views of the city.
Guest Rooms and Suites
Residential in feel, each of the guest rooms and suites tells a story of its own. Curated vintage pieces are juxtaposed with custom-designed furnishings. The walls are covered in hand-raked plaster and painted in warm, inviting hues. The luxurious beds are wrapped in Bellino fine linens and feature richly textured custom headboards, throws, and pillows. The large, original windows flood the rooms with natural light and provide fabulous city views. Sophisticated comforts include well-curated minibars, Aesop bath amenities, Kelly Wearstler x Parachute Home robes, Vifa speakers, and HDTV streaming.
Of particular note are the hotel’s Basketball Suite and the Pool Suite. The Basketball Suite reimagines the building’s original basketball court as a 1,430 square foot suite with double-height ceilings, living and dining areas, and of course, an elevated basketball hoop. The one-of-a-kind Pool Suite was built around the YWCA’s indoor swimming pool and features a stunning ceramic tile mural handcrafted by local artist Ben Medansky. The 2,777 square foot suite also offers an open floor plan for living and dining and a separate bedroom with an en suite bath.
Food and Drink
Forbes calls the Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel “the best hotel in Los Angeles for foodies.” The hotel houses a trio of culinary hotspots helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne. Just off the lobby on the ground floor, Caldo Verde is an homage to Spanish and Portuguese culinary traditions with a distinctive Southern California flair. The menu features local, seasonal, vegetable-driven market fare and a curated selection of boutique wines. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, the hotel’s intimate cocktail lounge—Dahlia—provides an inspired escape for after-work drinks, a small celebration, or a cozy night out. Perched on the hotel’s rooftop is Cara Cara, a lively restaurant and lounge serving fresh, seasonal fare with epic, city skyline views. Whether seated on the elevated outdoor dining deck or beside the fire pit on the lower-level lounge, Cara Cara is an exceptional spot for sipping cocktails at sunset.
Amenities and Happenings
Around the corner from Cara Cara, the hotel boasts a small, heated rooftop pool overlooking the city’s glittering high rises. It’s a stunning setting for morning laps, a leisurely dip, or soaking up the sun while relaxing on one of the chaise lounges. The hotel’s 24-hour fitness center is equipped with Woodway treadmills, Peloton bikes, a rower, and a Smith machine. Yoga and meditation classes are available most mornings in the light-filled Cabrillo Club room with its beautiful arched windows. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dahlia serves an exquisite afternoon tea with a curated selection of sweet and savory bites. On Friday and Saturday evenings, Caldo Verde transforms into a hi-fi listening lounge with Vinyl Nights featuring local DJs.
Neighborhood
Downtown Los Angeles is enjoying a renaissance, and the Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel places guests right in the heart of the city’s creative core. Steps from the hotel, you’ll find the city’s best cultural attractions, including The Broad, an admission-free museum of contemporary art, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, an architectural marvel that is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Fashionistas will want to scour the racks in bustling the Fashion District, where they’ll find independent boutiques, designer sample sales, acres of fabric, and more. For sports and entertainment, head to the iconic Crypto.com Arena (formerly the Staples Center) and L.A. Live, a vibrant entertainment complex featuring everything from NBA games to live music to dining. Many more restaurants, food halls, jazz clubs, theaters, galleries, and more are within a short stroll of the hotel.