Fodor's Expert Review The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles
900 West Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90015, United States See on Map
Fans of the Ritz-Carlton brand of hotels will feel right at home in this downtown high-rise. Because the building also includes condos, the vibe is residential and discrete, while providing a top-tier level of service. Well-to-do business travelers, as well as entertainers and athletes, grace the building because of its proximity to LA Live and the Staples Center, but it’s an upscale home for family travelers as well.
room
Rooms across the spectrum are fairly standardized with contemporary furniture and stunning views of LA (sans balconies).
YOU SHOULD KNOW WiFi is only complimentary to Ritz-Carlton or Marriott Rewards members. You can sign up for those programs free of charge, though.
bathroom
Marble bathrooms come with TVs built into lighted mirrors and feature walk-in showers and separate sunken bathtubs. Asprey bath products are used in all rooms.
lobby
The small, intimate lobby has a beautiful water feature against the back wall and is only used for checking in or out of the hotel.
If you want to get to LA Live or more restaurants and bars inside the adjacent Marriott, there’s an entrance through the back of the lobby that takes you there.
pool
On the 26th floor is the stunning pool with city-wide views and rentable cabanas. The pool is shared by guests and residents and full-service food and beverage options are available.
spa
The enormous Ritz Spa has an incredible array of featured treatment programs, body wraps, massages, facials and more.
gym
A sizable gym is outfitted with Precor machines and free weights. The fitness center also offers personal training sessions as well as yoga classes on Saturday mornings at 9am.
dining
There are a lot of dining options here, but the most striking is WP24 by Wolfgang Puck as well as Nest at WP24. The two areas have modern Asian specialties and imposing views of the Downtown LA skyline. Other restaurants reside inside the Marriott, including Ford’s Filling Station for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
drinking
For cocktails, guests should head over to the Marriott for gLance Lobby Bar and sip on international wines, craft cocktails and munch on small plates.
lounge
The hotel has its own Club Lounge, an enormous space where Rewards Members can grab breakfast, lunch, the morning paper and snacks for the road.
LOCATION
Getting Around
This is a very walkable area with dozens of bars, restaurants, theaters, shops and more. The nearest metro station is just up the street and the train can take you to Hollywood, Santa Monica or Universal Studios. Taxis and Uber/Lyft drivers are everywhere, so you’ll never have to wait to catch a ride. We’d recommend against renting a car because there is so much transportation at your fingertips.
Restaurants
Next to the hotel is LA Live, which has a ton of food options like Katsuya for sushi, Lawry’s for prime rib or Yard House for bar bites and beers. A little farther away is Faith & Flower (7-minute walk), a New American joint with a raw bar and delicious drinks.
WHY WE LIKE IT
Lovers of the Ritz brand will be bathed in comfort at this classic hotel. There are excellent amenities, top-rate service and really good restaurants. Being attached to the Marriott next door, you get two hotel’s amenities in one. And with being right on top of LA Live, you have access to dozens of bars, restaurants and attractions. While you won’t be blown away with any design aesthetics here, the hotel does everything else right, leaving you with little-to-nothing to complain about.
QUICK FACTS
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