Mere steps from the sprawling L.A. Live entertainment center, this luxe leviathan of a hotel offers spacious rooms and a variety of onsite amenities to sports fans, concert-goers and DTLA explorers.
With 878 rooms, six dining options, a pool and a full-service spa, it’s theoretically possible to spend your entire vacation inside the walls of the JW Marriott Hotel. Most visitors are drawn to the hotel’s proximity to a cornucopia of attractions—the L.A. Live entertainment center, Staples Center, Convention Center and all downtown Los Angeles—but guests will also appreciate that the Marriott’s own amenities are treated as anything but an afterthought. Rooms claim marble bathrooms, high speed wifi and 24-hour room service; the hotel itself is home to a fitness center, business center and fine dining from eateries like Ford’s Filling Station, which offers a step up from the usual hotel grub with seasonal dishes like squash blossom tostadas and seared scallops.
Location: Downtown is undergoing a major cultural transformation, and the JW Marriott is situated in a recently renovated, lively neighborhood. Go for the big-ticket dinner restaurants, rowdy bars and clubs; if shabby-chic or under-the- radar is your thing, you’re better off in the Arts District.
Nearby:
Ford’s Filling Station: Ford’s thoughtful menu and supremely convenient location allows you to enjoy true California cuisine without leaving the lobby.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse: Thick cuts and a full wine list make this airy chophouse a posh dinner option. For the same glitzy atmosphere at a lower price point, Fleming’s offers happy hour deals on drinks and appetizers from 5-7pm nightly.
Los Angeles Central Library: Even the most packed itinerary should have room for a little downtime, and there’s no better place to chill out than a mosaic-studded Beaux-Arts building. Recharge (and take advantage of the free wifi) inside, where you’ll find murals, friezes and, of course, plenty of reading material.
Grand Central Market: This historic food hall offers an international smorgasbord of eats in a casual setting. Linger over fresh oysters and a glass of bubbly at The Oyster Gourmet, then stop by G&B for an espresso and a salted caramel donut.
L.A. Live: With a concert venue, a movie theater and a smattering of bars and restaurants, you’d be remiss to stay at L.A. Live’s namesake Marriott and not pay the entertainment complex a visit.
Good for: For sports fans, conventioneers and concert-goers, the Marriott’s prime location is paralleled only by the quality of its onsite attractions.
Amenities: Pool, hot tub, spa, room service, free wifi, minibar, restaurant, bar, gym, laundry service, concierge
Time Out tip: If you’re visiting L.A. for the star sightings, a hotel might not seem like the best place to spot local celebrities. However, L.A. Live hosts a packed schedule of awards ceremonies, from the Espys to the American Music Awards. Pay a visit to the L.A. Live theater and keep your eyes peeled—you’re likely to spot a familiar face or two.