citizenM Los Angeles Downtown

The gym was quite nice for a hotel, and the downstairs sitting area was comfortable. Still, for the price I'd look elsewhere. It wasn't a horrible stay, but there are plenty of nearby options. I was there on a business trip and had several problems. My sponsoring company had already paid for the reservation, but at check-in they said it still needed to be paid. I showed my receipt and the desk clerk wasn't helpful, and I was charged twice. The room was very small, barely enough room for one person to stand, and the bed was stiff. I also couldn't connect a device to the TV unless it supported Chromecast. I wanted to hook up a gaming console through HDMI, but the entertainment system wouldn't let the TV recognize it. There were no remotes, only locked-down iPads. When I called for help, the manager spoke condescendingly and said I'd have to use a Chromecast-compatible device.

The communal areas were colorful and busy, with lots of people working there. It had a bit of an Aloft feel and looked fun, even though I tend to like a quieter hotel. I felt generally safe in the urban neighborhood, though it can seem a bit dicey. The beds and linens were comfortable, and the blackout curtains worked well. An iPad controls everything, but check-in with the iPads was clunky, and I wasn't comfortable uploading my ID when staff used to just look at it. Good value for the price.

The room was unbelievably tiny, more like a shoebox. Maybe it suits a young person traveling alone, but I wouldn't recommend it to a couple or an older guest. The bed touches the wall on three sides, so if your partner needs the bathroom at night, they'd have to climb over you. There's nowhere for luggage, toiletries, or a backpack beyond one small bench. The sink is tiny, and the bathroom sits in the middle of the room behind translucent plastic, with almost no privacy if you need to use the toilet. The TV is mounted at the foot of the bed because there's no space to sit and watch. There's one small chair and a desk about 12 inches deep. Outlets are above the desk and near one side of the bed, but there's no table or outlet on the other side. No coffee or cups either. The room's refrigerator is the smallest I've ever seen. I had no issues with the staff or cleanliness. It cost me $220 a night, including fees.

The location is convenient for getting around, but it's right by Skid Row, and I felt uneasy stepping outside, especially at night. The hotel's young, progressive style is very LA, with edgy art that might raise eyebrows for some older guests. It wasn't really my taste, but that's okay. The rooms were the bigger disappointment: they're tiny, and sharing with someone or bringing luggage leaves hardly any room to move. Check-in happens at a kiosk while staff sit across from you at their computers, which felt cold and impersonal. When we asked for help, they seemed annoyed, so the welcome wasn't great. I can see it working for young solo travelers who like a hands-off modern setup and don't need space. If you want larger rooms or friendly personal service, I'd look elsewhere. Cool idea, but not for everyone. I'd rate it 2.5 out of 5.