Downtown Los Angeles Proper Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels

The food was good enough that I’d come back for dinner, but I’d stay somewhere else. The rooms are tiny. On my own I managed fine, but I wouldn’t have wanted to share one with another person. The gym is very basic, with little equipment, and the service doesn’t feel like five-star service. There was no turn-down or any thoughtful extra. It’s a decent option, just not a five-star hotel.

The bedroom was tiny, while the bathroom took up much more space. I’m not sure if that was the designer’s intention, but it didn’t work for me. The hair dryer was unbelievably filthy, sticky, and disgusting, with pet hair on it. I called the front desk to ask for a replacement and first said “hair dryer,” which they didn’t understand until I called it a “hair blower.” The replacement was just as dirty. The attached photos show it after I asked for a change. At the Cara Cara rooftop bar, the tip amount was changed without my approval. I noticed after checkout and have a photo of the original receipt. I plan to dispute it. It was a small amount, but it made me question the hotel’s honesty. If this happens to all guests, the total wouldn’t be small. Breakfast took about 30 minutes to arrive, and the latte had far too much milk foam. The avocado toast was good, though. Between the room and design and the concerns about cleanliness and the tip charge, I left with a very poor impression.

The first-floor restaurant was delicious, and the hotel itself is stylish, clean, and beautifully designed. Service was excellent. My Amex Platinum benefits included $100 in restaurant credits and $60 for breakfast, which I really appreciated. Even with an Amex room upgrade, though, the room felt very small for the price. The rooftop food was expensive too. The pool is tiny and right beside the rooftop dining area, which makes it awkward to use, and it’s no surprise it was empty. The second-floor gym is small as well. It’s a lovely hotel with good service and looks, but at these nightly rates I wouldn’t choose it without the Amex benefits.

The rooftop was my favorite part. I had steak and lamb chops there, and both were outstanding. The food elsewhere was amazing too, the rooms looked great and were clean, and everyone on staff was nice. It felt like a luxury hotel. The shower, though, doesn’t live up to the name Proper. It’s a rain shower with barely more than a drizzle. And the surrounding area isn’t appealing: lots of closed storefronts and run-down streets. There are some good spots within walking distance, including Grand Central Market and the broad museum, plus a few nicer places farther into downtown. Those two issues kept this at four stars for me.