The 13 best Downtown Los Angeles hotels perfect for golden hour

Built in 1923, the Biltmore retains the Italian-Spanish renaissance elegance that once enticed such dignitaries as Winston Churchill and JFK. The ground level is striking, with one gorgeous room after another peeling off the exquisite lobby. A number of them, such as the Crystal Ballroom and the Gold Room, are available only for private hire, but if there's no event being staged and you ask nicely at reception, someone will show you around. Next to such extravagance, the rooms can hardly compete, but they're comfortable in an old-fashioned way.

Where is it? South Grand Avenue in the Financial District.

Which room? Music Suite. A two-bed, two-bath home away from home for any musician, with a baby grand in the living room, a reception area and a butler's pantry. Woah.

Time Out tip: Spend an afternoon in Pershing Square, a Spanish-inspired plaza, featuring large geometric structures painted in bright hues, and host to regular live performances.

Located close to Downtown's growing museum and cultural district, the Omni is the perfect place from which to catch a show or attend a party. Then recuperate onsite in the heated outdoor lap pool, the 24-hour fitness centre (with complimentary fruit, water and towels) or in the romantic Noé restaurant and bar. Club level guests get butler service, free breakfasts and cocktails.

Where is it? South Olive Street, atop Bunker Hill.

Which room? Book the Club Room. Not only will you be guaranteed a stay on one of the top two floors, but you'll also receive free daily breakfast, evening cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.

Time Out tip: At less than 10 minutes' walk, you may as well stroll over to Walt Disney Concert Hall, if only to gawp at its shiny, undulating architecture.

This five-tower, 35-story, 1,400-room monster is a postmodern icon. The huge lobby features a central bar that specializes in coffee during office hours and alcohol at night. Several restaurants provide other opportunities for visitors to take advantage of their expense accounts on different floors. The rooms are comfortable and the higher you are, the better the view. The pool's a good size, though slightly hard to find thanks to the hotel's sometimes confounding layout. It's also one of the few hotels in DTLA that's pet friendly.

Where is it? South Figueroa Street, with easy access to the Harbor Freeway.

Which room? Grand View King. It has floor-to-ceiling windows taking in the epic view from a high floor.

Time Out tip: Do not, under any circumstances, forget to visit BonaVista Lounge on floor 34. It's Downtown L.A.'s only revolving bar. That's right, you can sip negronis whilst enjoying a truly 360-degree view of the city.

Located at the sports and entertainment complex L.A. Live, this Marriott offers luxury accommodations steps from the Staples Center, Microsoft Theatre and Grammy Museum, and is just down the street from the Los Angeles Convention Center. There are a whopping 878 guest rooms at the hotel, including executive king rooms and suites, most with great city views. Across the street, you'll find its slightly more affordable sister hotel, the Residence Inn.

Where is it? West Olympic Boulevard in South Park.

Which room? If you like a pop of color (and have deep pockets), opt for the JW Suite. It's the only accommodation in the hotel with blues, yellows and purples to match L.A.'s bright horizon.

Time Out tip: Kick off your trip with a 'Body Balancer' massage in the Ritz-Carlton Spa, onsite at the JW Marriott. Add some CBD oil into the mix for an extra $50.

The tallest hotel in Los Angeles—for now—towers above L.A. Live with sweeping views of the city below. Rooms are expectedly ritzy, though not as large as you'd expect for the price. That said, the amenities here are the big selling point: a heated rooftop swimming pool and hot tub, nine-room spa and the steakhouse Leña at Sendero, which offers beautiful views of L.A.

Where is it? West Olympic Boulevard, part of the same building as the JW Marriott.

Which room? Regardless of which level you opt for, choose a corner room. The sweeping city views are unbeatable.

Time Out tip: Wake with the sun and beeline for the rooftop, where yoga lessons take place on the pool deck 8.30-9.30am daily.

The Los Angeles Atheltic Club is a deluxe fitness center and private social club nestled in an early-20th-century, 12-story building Downtown. The Club's facilities include a state-of-the-art gym and spa, as well as first-rate restaurants and bars (we love the bar Invention and its 180-degree views of L.A). The space also offers conference rooms and a luxury hotel, where Charlie Chaplin used to live. The rooms are dark and handsome, though not nearly as ornate as the building's common areas.

Where is it? West 7th Street, on the southside of Pershing Square.

Which room? Book of the nine Themed Suites, which come with custom furniture, Frette linens, Sferra blankets and Roman shades on the windows.

Time Out tip: Upgrade to the Olive Club for $25/night, which allows access to the Historic Private Club, featuring member-only dining and events, an award-winning Craft Cocktail Bar, fitness classes (subject to availability) and discounted parking.

This central Los Angeles boutique hotel is conveniently located across from the Microsoft Theater, Staples Center and Conga Room at L.A. Live. The hotel features free wifi and an on-site spa. A 65-inch HD TV is offered in each guest room as well as a coffee machine. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the on-site restaurant, Nixo Patio Lounge offers everything gfrom chicken clubs to cocktails. The modern hotel is an affordable option for those looking to be close to the entertainment of L.A. Live but can't afford the more expensive hotels there.

Where is it? South Figueroa Street, opposite the Grammy Museum.

Which room? 'Stay like a celebrity' in the Platinum Suite, which has space for entertaining and drop-dead views of Downtown L.A.

Time Out tip: Given the proximity, it would be remiss not to venture into the 30,000-square-foot Grammy Museum on the LA Live campus. The best bit? The Mono to Immersive experience, which takes you on an audio/visual journey through sound and time.

Situated on the edge of Little Tokyo, this four-star high-rise offers simple but comfortable rooms. DoubleTree's most notable feature is its rooftop Japanese garden, which is available for events and evening strolls alike. Though its central location is one of its greatest assets, the area can get a little dicey if you venture south on Los Angeles Street, so keep your wits about you.

Where is it? South Los Angeles Street in Little Tokyo

Which room? The Garden View rooms overlook the Japanese-inspired Kyoto Gardens. Beautiful.

Time Out tip: Dating back to 1886, Little Tokyo is awash with incredible food, but one of our favorite spots is the family-owned gem Fugetsu-Do Bakery, a paradise for mochi lovers that's been serving since 1903.

This modern Little Tokyo hotel features multiple on-site dining options and classic rooms with free wifi. All of the tan colored rooms have a Japanese flair to them and include a TV, refrigerator and coffee facilities. In the lobby, a concierge desk offers assistance with sightseeing tours, dining, shopping and recreation options. The hotel also features a small business center, fitness room and a 24-hour market. Tamon sushi restaurant at the Los Angeles Miyako serves Asian cuisine, while the adjacent Ohjah Lounge offers a full bar and snacks.

Where is it? 1st Street in Little Tokyo.

Which room? Though just one block from the Hilton, this Miyako is eminently more affordable. Each room is as lovely as the next, but for a guaranteed great view, plump for the Premium rooms, which are located on teh 9th floor upwards.

Time Out tip: Realign your chakras in the super zen James Irvine Japanese Garden, which is only accessible through the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center.

Just around the corner from the Pershing Square Metro stop, this slender structure supports one of the best rooftop views in the city. You won't find much excitement up there, but that's kind of the point: the view is king. The hotel is a clean, subdued alternative to some of the area's louder, showier spots, and offers all the usual amenities, plus an in-house bar and restaurant.

Where is it? South Grand Avenue, one block from Pershing Square.

Which room? If money isn't particularly tight, book the one-bed Patio Suite. It has one of those pillar fireplaces, so you can admire it from both sides. It's also on the top floor, for ultimate skylines.

Time Out tip: Movie buffs listen up, stay here and you'll be staying less than 15 minutes from J.F. Sebastian's apartment in the 1982 Blade Runner. The historic Bradbury Building also features in countless other films and and TV shows. It's also home to Marvel Comics.

This striking hotel is a dramatic mix of Morocco and Mexico and oozes the kind of charisma boutique hotel designers so often fail to achieve. Built in 1925 as a YWCA, the Figueroa is now more exotic (and expensive), but there's still a bargain to be had. The hotel's airy lobby is a potpourri of Moroccan chandeliers, huge cacti and woven rugs. Toward the back, there's a low-key bar and a lovely pool area that is most dazzling after dark. The rooms, which vary in size, are done out in funky casbah chic with Mexican-tiled bathrooms. Amenities feature two restaurants, two bars, a fitness center, and rooftop pool.

Where is it? South Figueroa Street, opposite LA Live.

Which room? Featured Artist Suite, an earthy and sumptuous space designed by local figurative abstract artist Erica Everage.

Time Out tip: Don't stay Downtown without seeing Yayoi Kusama's mirror rooms at The Broad. They're absolutely spectacular. One needs a reservation, the other admits walk-ups.

You’ll be blown away by Conrad Los Angeles the moment you set foot in the lobby. Design and wellness are a top priority here, and we’d expect no less from the brainchild of architect Frank Gehry. A magnet for sunlight (especially golden hour) the hotel’s interiors consist of brassy tones, a mix of woods and warm neutrals accompanied by plenty of open space—it’s a kind of ultra-calming elegance that could make even watching paint dry a therapeutic affair. But of course, Conrad Los Angeles has a lot more intrigue than emulsions going for it. There’s the rooftop terrace and pool with views overlooking Downtown L.A., the spa with a range of relaxing treatments on offer and even a fitness center offering guided fitness classes. It’s a real oasis here. 

Where is it? Grand Avenue and 1st Street, Downtown. 

Which room? Most guests keep it simple and go for the Deluxe King, but if it’s a special occasion, we’d recommend the King Suite offering stunning views of L.A.  

Time Out tip: Folks rave about L.A.’s food scene for a reason, and here at Conrad Los Angeles you can’t miss out on Spanish-inspired San Laurel. The cuisine here is fresh, innovative and pure magic. 

If by now you're not a sucker for the design-conscious, then this downtown spot will make you an instant convert. AC Hotel gets its inspo from Spanish heritage and a free-spirited vibes that always seem to linger on LA's sunny boulevards. The rooms here are very minimalistic chic with lots of soothing, sandy-toned decor features throughout. Come evening when it's time to dim the lights, it gets even cozier out on the terraces, down at the restaurant, and when it's time for a nightcap at the bar with floor-to-ceiling views of the city's beautiful gradient sunsets. Trust us, they really know how to set the mood here.

Where is it? South Figueroa Street, Downtown.

Which room? We'd recommend the King Room with City View, but do you. 

Time Out tip: Want gorgeous sweeping views? Then you've got to head to the rooftop garden on the 34th floor.