The LA Grand Hotel Downtown

The hotel looks beautiful, but I was disappointed with the quality. Our room clearly hadn’t been cleaned properly: the bathroom floor had visible dirt, hair, and stains. The front desk person wasn’t very friendly either. The pool was packed, with too few loungers and chairs. People were lying on the ground or grass, so I left. I’ve had much better stays at much cheaper hotels. They seem focused on appearances and forget about quality.

The booking details never came through from my company’s required travel service, but the hotel staff honored the rate and accommodated me with a clean, very nice suite. Everyone was helpful, and housekeeping did a thorough job. I liked the firm bed, and the down pillow and soft towels were a nice touch. The gift shop is very overpriced, with a small Evian bottle at $4.99 and a medium one at $8.99. You’re better off buying water and supplies elsewhere in the area. Note that the hotel does not open the gift shop.

I had a chance to sample the hotel restaurant’s menu, and everything was surprisingly delicious. I wasn’t even hungry but kept eating. The gym had plenty of good equipment, though it was a little humid, and the outdoor pool sits among landscaped areas. It’s a decent size, neither huge nor tiny. The recently renovated hotel has a spacious, open lobby with lots of seating, and the rooms were comfortable and nicely decorated. The downtown location puts you in the middle of things if that’s where you want to be. Los Angeles is spread out, though, so check distances before choosing. Disneyland, for example, is an hour or more away.

The bedding and mattress were very comfortable, and the rooms were a good size. Staff were consistently courteous and helpful. The first-floor restaurant and lobby bar were comfortable spots, with good food at reasonable prices. The downtown location has easy access to highways and streets. I’d definitely stay again.