Los Angeles is known for its melting pot of cultures, incredible food scene, gilded-era architecture, and celebrity glitz — and now it’s also home to three awe-inspiring hotels we can’t wait to stay at. From the opulent Italian flair of Hotel Per La to the old-Hollywood glamour of the Thompson and Pendry, here are three West Coast wonders we’re loving right now.
Hotel Per La
Photo: Suite at Hotel Per La by The Ignalls.
Last September, HN Capital Partners transformed the former headquarters of The Bank of Italy into a stunning new hotel that embodies la dolce vita. Dating back to the early 1920s, the Downtown Los Angeles building already had great bones: neoclassical motifs, stately Doric columns, and opulent marble floors, to name just a few. The design team behind the new Diamond District hotel has worked meticulously to preserve the building’s historic grandeur, decorating its 241 guest rooms and suites with a rich jewel-toned color palette, heirloom Persian rugs, painstakingly curated antiques from around the world, and eye-catching artwork by Saint Lazare design studio. Some of our favorite touches include the Terrazzo flooring in the rooms’ walk-in showers and in-suite marble writing desks.
The dining at Hotel Per La is just as impressive as the décor — there’s Café Ora, where guests can start their days with locally sourced coffee, artisanal pastries, decadent gelato, and CBD products beneath a gorgeous Murano-glass chandelier. And on the eleventh floor of the hotel, Bar Clara serves up Mediterranean mezes and aperitivo-style cocktails in a laid-back yet luxurious rooftop lounge. Finally, Per L’Ora on the hotel’s ground floor spotlights authentic Italian fare with an East Los Angeles twist — think arancini with octopus and bonito, bucatini with spam, and veal Milanese with fermented chili vinaigrette and yuzu dust.
Thompson Hollywood
Photo: Lobby of Thompson Hollywood, courtesy of hotel.
When it comes to creating immersive spaces rooted in local art and culture, Thompson Hotels always knock it out of the park. Thompson Hollywood lives up to the design-savvy brand’s reputation, blending West Coast style with old-Hollywood glam. Famed studio Tara Bernerd & Partners thought of every detail when designing the interiors of this whimsical hideaway, including floor-to-ceiling windows and terrazzo vanities in every room, velvet-upholstered sofas in rich jewel tones, mid-century light fixtures, and bold, modern lines.
The hotel lobby’s striking green onyx bar draws travelers with the promise of delicious craft cocktails and great conversation, but the rooftop bar is the property’s crowning glory. It’s called Bar Lis and yields some of the most spectacular views of the Hollywood sign and the city skyline. Foodies will also find plenty to rave about at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Mes Amis. Designed by Martin Brudnizki and helmed by chef Lincoln Carson, this contemporary French brasserie serves Parisian-inspired delicacies like prime ribeye steak frites, salmon hollandaise, and more during breakfast and lunch. There’s also The Terrace, which serves breakfast, lunch, and afternoon apps on the rooftop.
The Pendry West Hollywood
Photo: Merois Bar at Pendry West Hollywood by Christian Horan.
The Pendry’s newest property in West Hollywood is a real stunner. The brand went all the way to elevate its first LA outpost, commissioning Martin Brudnizki Design Studio to oversee the interiors. The hotel’s 149 guest rooms are impressively spacious with luxurious marble bathrooms and rich blue and gold color palettes that evoke old-school glamor and California cool. The hotel is also home to The Britley, a private membership club, as well as a multipurpose venue for live entertainment, a bowling alley, a movie screening room, and of course, the legendary Spa Pendry. Guests can take advantage of virtual fitness programming, a cutting-edge fitness center with Babor amenities, and even customized vitamin injections and IV therapies courtesy of a partnership with The Hydration Room. As far as dining goes, The Pendry West Hollywood has earned praise for Merois, its rooftop restaurant helmed by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. The menu features international flavors that range from South Asian to French and beyond. The hotel also features a casual European-inspired café called Ospero, which serves crisp salads, vegan dishes, homemade pastas, and pizzas straight from a wood-burning pizza oven. And if you’re looking to add some bubbles to your day, head to the hotel’s Moët & Chandon vending machine, located beneath the beautiful Sunset Jewel tree sculpture. It’s the perfect pit-stop for some morning mimosas or some afternoon fizz.
