Dramatic views and a bold, exaggerated design help this 18-story tower compete in the booming DTLA hotel scene, but the luster isn’t just on the surface—a string of modern amenities, plus an outdoor pool and canine-friendly happy hour keep up the momentum.
As glittering new towers like the $1 billion Metropolis, which houses the 350-room Hotel Indigo, reshape the LA skyline, luxury travelers will be among the first to reap the benefits. In this case, that means evening dips in the 4th-floor outdoor pool, access to a shiny 24-hour gym, and a “penthouse” cocktail bar with glorious views of the entire city. It’s easy living at the Hotel Indigo, a strikingly contemporary building that aims to impress. From the Presidential Suite—with marble columns and hardwood floors—down to the regular rooms, the interiors all have a rich, saturated look. The amenities are consistent throughout, though, so no matter what you book, expect 43-inch flat-screen TVs, bluetooth Tivoli radios and Keurig coffeemakers. The lobby looks like something out of a futuristic concert hall, with brass-sheathed armchairs and chandeliers that resemble flying saucers. A similar UFO motif runs through the restaurant, Metropole Kitchen & Bar, with its neon green banquettes and circular pods (the menu skews international, with Peking duck steamed buns, short rib flatbread, and steak frites). In short, a forward-looking, cosmopolitan hotel to go hand in hand with the booming downtown scene.
Location: Adjacent to the 110, the Hotel Indigo is part of a multi-tower development project called Metropolis that houses high-end condos and 70,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor luxury retail. It’s across the street from the LA Live complex (which houses the Staples Center) and accessible to all the restaurants, bars and other attractions that downtown LA has to offer.
Nearby:
Walt Disney Concert Hall: Just over a mile from the hotel, Disney Hall opened in 2003 to rave reviews. The novelty hasn’t yet worn off: both inside and out, it’s a terrific venue designed by Frank Gehry that’s home to the LA Philharmonic as well as the L.A. Master Chorale, though the schedule is worth a peek, as it’s surprisingly varied throughout the year.
Grand Central Market: Come hungry to this buzzing food hall, which sits just over a mile from the hotel. The crowds are worth braving, when you consider the rewards: a glorious breakfast sandwich from the iconic Eggslut, say, or a plate of Hainan chicken from Sticky Rice.
Staples Center: Opposite the hotel, this Downtown sports shrine is best known as home turf for the Lakers basketball team (as well as the Clippers basketball team, and the Kings hockey team), but it doubles as a 20,000-capacity arena for musical acts like Kanye West and U2.
Broken Spanish: Modern Mexican fare takes a surprising turn (case in point: lamb neck tamales) at this bright, colorful eatery led by chef Ray Garcia (FIG), with a cocktail program by Michael Lay (Faith & Flower), and which is an 8-minute walk from the hotel.
Good for: Art and design folks will have plenty to ogle over at the Hotel Indigo, whose interiors yield striking patterns, prints, and palettes at pretty much every turn; meanwhile, the outdoor pool, 24-hour gym, and contemporary restaurant make it suitable for most any leisure traveler.
Amenities: pool, room service, free Wi-Fi, minibar, restaurant, bar, gym, concierge
Time Out tip: It’s not hard to find a hotel with a decent happy hour these days, but one that caters to your pooch, too? Now that gets our attention. At the Hotel Indigo’s Doggy Happy Hour, not only are regular appetizers like truffle hummus and tater tot baskets marked down to $5—four-legged customers also get a dedicated menu of milk bones, dog ice cream and puppy patties.