The best Downtown Los Angeles hotels

Ace Hotel's DTLA location has helped to turn the tide on the Broadway theater district. Housed in the former United Artists building, the hotel pays homage to L.A.'s essence—a seamless harmony of California minimalism and Downtown L.A.'s signature art deco style. Plus, the historic United Artists Theatre was restored, and it's now available for events of all kinds. Inside, the hotel has exposed concrete galore with sleek fixtures and furniture, a style that also creeps into the hotel's restaurant, L.A. Chapter. Guests stay in thoughtfully designed rooms with plenty of amenities, plus a state-of-the-art fitness center, rooftop pool and the aptly titled bar Upstairs.

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.

The Downtown version of the Sunset Strip shag pad pokes fun at jet-setting '60s bachelors, with the lobby setting the swinger-style tone. Rooms come equipped with platform beds, tubs for two and peek-a-boo showers. Complete with DJs, vibrating waterbeds and views, the rooftop pool bar and biergarten can be a tough ticket on weekends for non-guests; you'd do as well to hang out in the ground-level bar or Ping-Pong club Spin Standard.

Located close to Downtown's growing museum and cultural district, the Omni offers theater and concert packages for those wanting to catch a show or attend a party. However, this is chiefly a business hotel, and an efficient one. Decorated in slightly gloomy shades of taupe and olive, the bedrooms are comfortable. Club level guests get butler service, free breakfasts and cocktails. Other amenities include a small pool and a large exercise room.

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, including the revolving Bona Vista Lounge. The rooms are comfortable, and the higher your room is, 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.

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.

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 rooftop heated swimming pool and hot tub, a nine-room spa and the Asian-inspired NEST at WP24, which offers beautiful views of L.A. 

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.

This central Los Angeles boutique hotel is conveniently located across from the Microsoft Theater, Staples Center and Conga Room at the L.A. Live Entertainment Center. The hotel features free Wi-Fi and an on-site spa. A 42-inch flat-screen cable TV is offered in each guest room as well as a Keurig single-cup coffee machine. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the on-site restaurant at Luxe City Center features Italian and American cuisine. 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. 

Situated on the edge of Little Tokyo, this high-rise hotel offers simple but comfortable rooms. The hotel's most notable feature is its rooftop Japanese garden that 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.

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 and fitness room. You will also find a gift shop on the property. Tamon Sushi restaurant at the Los Angeles Miyako serves Asian cuisine, while the adjacent Ohjah Lounge offers a full bar and snacks. Guests can visit Cafe Take 5 for a cup of coffee or tea. A light rail transport station is 2 blocks from the hotel.