Why we love it: A meticulous restoration with museum-quality art and deep roots in the women’s movement
The Highlights:
- A permanent art collection of all female artists
- Spanish colonial design that inspires the Basque menu at on-site restaurant Breva
- Craft cocktails at three distinctive bars
The Review:
Opened in 1926 by Maude N. Bouldin as a women’s hostel, Hotel Figueroa served as a safe haven for female travelers for several decades. Nearly a century later, it remains one of the best-preserved buildings in Downtown Los Angeles and has become a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. The Mediterranean-style property recently underwent a two-year-long renovation, in which its original Spanish Colonial design was fully restored. Now, rooms feature leather headboards, curvy lines, and original artwork for a stylishly feminine look that suits the building’s history. Feather-top mattresses are fitted with Sferra linens, while spacious glass-enclosed showers boast subway tiles and brass fixtures. Some rooms and suites even have spacious sitting areas and balconies.
Guests here can lounge by DTLA’s only ground-level pool or relax in the lush central courtyard, shaded by leafy eucalyptus and fig trees. When evening comes, grab a perfectly made cocktail at the grand Bar Figueroa, the convivial Rick’s, or the sleek, reservation-only Bar Alta. For foodies, the hotel also has its own chef concierge, Fredo Vita, who is an in-house resource for epicurean travelers seeking insight and access to the best restaurants in the city. Get your culture fix simply by wandering around the property: an ever-evolving art program offers rotating, museum-quality installations from female artists and a robust permanent collection, as well as literary anthologies from Los Angeles-based authors.
