Originally a ladies-only hostel built by the Young Women’s Christian Association of Greater Los Angeles, Hotel Figueroa is one of the city’s most stunning historic stays — especially after its $55 million refresh debuted in 2018. The 1920s-era Spanish colonial architecture is painstakingly preserved, while interiors (by Santa Monica-based Studio Collective) are modern and eclectic, reflecting the neighborhood’s creative pulse.
In the heart of the action in downtown Los Angeles, the 14-story luxury hotel boasts 268 rooms and suites, 10,000 square feet of event space, two restaurants from James Beard-nominated chef Casey Lane and three bars.
Each room is uniquely decorated using cream, mahogany and azure colors with accents such as books, objets d'art and contemporary portraiture for a cozy, at-home vibe.
With its fetching interiors, one-of-a-kind pool and artistic ambiance, Hotel Figueroa might just become your new go-to in the City of Angels.
- A mix of Moroccan and California modern, the hotel’s redesign is absolutely gorgeous and welcoming. You’ll also find a touch of whimsy in details like blue fig leaf wallpaper in rooms or oversized gold silk lounge chairs in the lobby.
- Both food and drink are worth seeking out, even if you’re not staying at Hotel Figueroa. Local celebrity chef Casey Lane drives the property’s inventive Basque-inspired culinary program and cocktails are by Dushan Zaric, legendary barkeep of Employees Only in New York City.
- Roughly a five-minute walk from Staples Center (home of the L.A. Lakers) and entertainment complex L.A. Live, Hotel Figueroa’s location is extremely convenient for business or pleasure. It’s also equidistant between the financial district and convention center.
- The property’s iconic coffin-shaped pool (the reason for the original design is unknown) is actually quite stunning, albeit small, with a grand 1920s fireplace, lush flowering plants, fig trees and towering cacti dotted about.
- The L.A. hotel attracts a diverse cross-section of guests, including influencers posing in front of the fig leaf mural wall, trendy European tourists, the local business crowd and young families.
- Complimentary bites are served on the weekends from 3 to 10 p.m. at Rick’s, the open-air, two-story bar behind the pool.
- The hotel car, a Tesla Model X, is available for complimentary transportation around downtown L.A. during your stay.
- For the most tranquil views, request a pool-facing room.
- Hotel Figueroa’s diverse art collection offers cultural encounters throughout, with a majority of pieces by local female artists — a nod to its past as an exclusive women’s hostel.
- The Casablanca Suite features a secret passageway to the reservations-only Bar Alta.
- All rooms are outfitted with Sferra linens, William Roam bath amenities, an iPad, a stocked mini-bar and complimentary snacks.
- The rooms pay homage to the L.A hotel’s 1920s origins with vintage-looking portrait art, antique fans, ornate tile and wide plank hardwood floors.
- No two rooms are alike in both design and configuration — some are even a bit eclectic in layout due to Hotel Figueroa’s hostel roots (originally, bathrooms were down the hall, not in the rooms).
- For a special occasion, we recommend upgrading to one of the seven Signature Suites. Request the Parador Suite to enjoy one of the property’s largest accommodations, complete with a 443-square-foot terrace.
- Veranda — the alfresco, all-day restaurant overlooking the pool — features elevated Mediterranean dishes from a wood-burning oven, such as a fresh zucchini, lemon and basil flatbread, and roasted chicken.
- Buskers Brunch at Veranda is a special weekend treat with live music, morning sips (Bloody Marys and Bellinis, of course) and wood-fired breakfast favorites, such as a crispy croque madame flatbread topped with a sunny-side-up egg.
- Don’t miss the fried chicken at Breva, the L.A. hotel’s Basque-inspired restaurant with a menu by four-time James Beard-nominated chef, Casey Lane.
- Stop by Bar Figueroa in the lobby for a stellar gin and tonicand a quick bite from the roving pintxos cart serving dim-sum-style Spanish tapas.
- On the mezzanine level, Bar Alta is an intimate, reservation-only lounge that elevates the art of cocktail-making with tableside service and premium spirits. Don’t miss peeking in on the Casbah, a private room off the main bar covered in floor-to-ceiling mirrors.
