Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
96
Hilton Checkers Los Angeles
The atmosphere at this boutique v ersion of the
Biltmore is as r emoved from “Hollywood” as an L.A. hotel can get. B uilt in 1927, the
12-story hotel is a H istoric Cultural Monument. Plenty of polished brass complements
the neutral sand-colored decor; both accentuate the impressive architectural features that
remained intact during a major r enovation in 1989. Checkers is a E uropean-style hotel,
without a lot of flashy amenities and possessing an understated luxur y. R ooms ar e
equipped with 27-inch flatscr een TVs, granite-top desks, and spacious marble bath-
rooms. Public areas include a wood-paneled librar y, a rooftop lap pool, and ser ene cor-
ridors punctuated with Asian antiques. The spa offers ev erything fr om ar omatherapy
body wraps to couples ' massage sessions.
Checkers Restaurant
is one of D owntown's
best-kept secr ets, ser ving complex dishes ranging fr om New American to F rench in a
peaceful setting; the w eekend brunch is worth planning for in adv ance.
Tip:
Be sure to
check the website for specials.
535 S. Grand A ve. (btw. 5th and 6th sts .), Los Angeles, CA 90071.
&
800/HILTONS
(800/445-8667) or
213/624-0000. Fax 213/626-9906. w ww.hiltoncheckers.com. 188 units . $219-$299 double; fr om $520
suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $23; self-park ing (off-site) $20.
Amenities:
Restaurant; lounge;
babysitting; concierge; exercise room w/men's and w omen's saunas; Jacuzzi; r ooftop heated lap pool;
room service; full-service spa.
In room:
A/C, TV, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi ($9.95 per day).
Millennium Biltmor e Hotel L os A ngeles
The B iltmore is one of those
hotels that's worth a visit even if you're not staying here. Built in 1923 and encompassing
almost an entir e square block, this I talian-Spanish Renaissance landmark is the grande
dame of L.A.'s hotels. Chances are you've seen it in many movies, including
The Wedding
Crashers, Chinatown, Ghostbusters, Bugsy, Beverly Hills Cop,
and Barbra Streisand's
A Star
Is Born.
The hotel lobby—J.F.K.'s campaign headquar ters during the 1960 D emocratic
National Conv ention—appeared upside-do wn in
The Poseidon A dventure.
The “wow”
factor ends at guest r ooms, however, which ar e a little on the small side (common for
older hotels) and ar en't quite as ey e-popping as the public spaces, but they 've recently
been redecorated in a style that meshes w ell with the hotel's vibe. Bathrooms are on the
small side as well, but peach-toned marble adds a luxurious edge. A range of dining and
cocktail outlets includes
Sai Sai
for modern Asian cuisine and sushi. Pretty, casual
Smer-
aldi's
serves homemade pastas and lighter Mediterranean fare. Off the lobby is the stun-
ning
Gallery Bar,
named by
Los Angeles
magazine as one of the sexiest cocktail lounges
in L.A. Afternoon tea and cocktails ar e served in the
Rendezvous Court,
which used to
be the hotel's original lobby and resembles the interior of a S panish cathedral, complete
with a Moorish ceiling of carved beams and an altarlike baroque doorway. Spend the few
bucks to appreciate the Art Deco health club, with its gorgeous Roman-style pool.
506 S. Grand Ave. (btw. 5th and 6th sts.), Los Angeles, CA 90071.
&
800/245-8673
or 213/624-1011. Fax
213/612-1545. www.thebiltmore.com. 683 units. $159-$375 double; from $450 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC,
V. Parking $40.
Amenities:
3 restaurants; 1 bar; babysitting; concierge; executive-level rooms; health club
w/original 1923 indoor pool, Jacuzzi, steam, and sauna; room service.
In room:
A/C, TV, hair dryer, minibar,
Wi-Fi ($9.95 per day).
Omni Los Angeles
This 17-story tower at the top of B unker Hill is the best for
culture buffs: I t's adjacent to the M useum of Contemporar y Ar t and within walking
distance of the L.A. Music Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Cathedral of Our
Lady of the Angels. Recognizing the geographical appeal, the hotel caters to theatergoers
more than any of its peers, with complimentary car service until 11:30pm (great for din-
ner/show ev enings), late-night dining during per formances, and good-v alue theater
packages. An eager-to-please staff runs the property beautifully, and public areas enjoy a
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