Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel
One Michelin Key
Hotel Details
Location
Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel · Los Angeles Area, United States
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Key Highlights
- ✓Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel: A Michelin One-Key Oasis of Style and Exceptional Service
Expert Review: Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel
Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel: A Michelin One-Key Oasis of Style and Exceptional Service
The Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel stands out as a Michelin One-Key property, consistently earning high praise for its striking design, exceptional service, and vibrant dining experiences. Housed in a beautifully restored 1920s Renaissance Revival building, the hotel offers a luxurious and unique stay in the heart of Los Angeles.
Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "exceptional" and "wonderful." It garners high ratings across the board, including 9.2 for facilities, 9.6 for cleanliness, 9.5 for staff performance, and 8.5 for value. Many guests express a strong desire to return and highly recommend the hotel.
Key Highlights
Guests consistently rave about several standout features. The hotel's unique and astonishingly tasteful design by Kelly Wearstler is a major draw, blending the building's historic character with globally inspired elements from Mexico, Portugal, and Morocco. The rooftop, featuring the Cara Cara restaurant and a pool with panoramic downtown views, is a particular highlight and a popular spot for sundowners. The impeccable service and friendly, attentive staff are also frequently cited as a key reason for a memorable stay. Additionally, the culinary offerings receive strong acclaim, as does the well-equipped fitness center which includes Peloton bikes.
Room Quality
The 148 rooms and suites are celebrated for their comfort, stylish design, and attention to detail. Wearstler's design aesthetic translates into spaces that feel like a "stylish friend's apartment," featuring earthy-meets-industrial tones, accent lighting, hand-painted tiles, and vintage furniture. Guests appreciate the luxurious touches such as spa-like tiled walk-in showers stocked with full-size Aesop bath amenities and easily accessible bedside outlets. The minibars are also noted for offering a curated selection of local L.A. artisan products. While some standard rooms, particularly queen rooms, have been described as compact, guests still found them comfortable. The hotel also boasts unique, expansive suites, including a 2,500-square-foot "Bond villain-style lair" with an indoor swimming pool and a "basketball court suite" with original 1920s hardwood floors.
Dining Experience
The hotel offers exceptional dining experiences with two primary restaurants overseen by James Beard Award-winning duo Chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne. Caldo Verde, located on the ground floor, provides a Portuguese-inspired menu with a California twist, known for its fresh and flavorful dishes, including excellent salads and house-made pastries for breakfast. The rooftop restaurant and bar, Cara Cara, offers a vibrant atmosphere with stunning city views, serving lunch and dinner. Guests consistently praise the quality of the food and drinks at both establishments. The hotel's culinary philosophy emphasizes seasonal California ingredients, sustainably caught seafood, and wellness-focused preparations.
Service & Staff
The service at Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel is frequently highlighted as outstanding. Guests commend the staff for being friendly, attentive, professional, and going "above and beyond" to ensure a memorable stay. From warm welcomes at check-in to personalized recommendations and efficient handling of requests, the dedication to hospitality shines through in numerous reviews.
Location & Accessibility
Situated in the South Park District of Downtown Los Angeles, the hotel offers a central and generally walkable location. Guests have easy access to major attractions such as the Crypto Arena (formerly Staples Center), the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Fashion District, making it a convenient base for exploring the city's cultural landmarks and diverse culinary scene. While the immediate vicinity might feel a bit "isolated" to some, especially at night, the area is generally considered safe.
Value & Pricing
Despite being a mid-luxury property, guests often feel they receive excellent value for their money, a sentiment reflected in an 8.5 rating for value. Room rates for standard rooms can start around $350 per night, with the unique suites commanding significantly higher prices, sometimes well over $1,000 per night.
Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring criticisms include the perceived small size of certain standard rooms, particularly queen rooms, leading some guests to recommend upgrading to a king. High parking costs are also a frequent complaint. Some guests have noted thin walls in their rooms, occasionally leading to noise disturbances from neighboring rooms or outside. Additionally, the rooftop pool, while lovely, is described by some as smaller than it appears in photos, with limited loungers, making it challenging to find a spot during busy times. The hotel also lacks a traditional grand lobby, with the ground-floor restaurant and bar often serving as the de facto waiting area.
Sources
Google Reviews
550 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Z Xue
The bedroom is so small. The bathroom room is much larger than the bedroom. Is this the design that the designer pursued? Their hair dryer/blower is tooooo dirty. I have never seen such a dirty hair dryer/blower. What was worse, when I called the front desk to change it, at the first, I told them the hair dryer was too dirty, they did not understand. Until I said the hair blower, they understood i...
Response from the owner
Dear Ms. Xue,<br><br>Thank you for your feedback, and please accept my sincerest apologies for the disappointing aspects of your stay. I’m very sorry that your experience did not reflect the high stan...
Frank Tank
Unfortunately, downtown LA proper doesn’t quite match up to its fellow Proper hotels. I was disappointed with several features. Firstly, the rooms were significantly smaller than those at other Proper hotels. Secondly, the fitness centre was ridiculously small and lacked equipment. Thirdly, the advertised fitness sessions were non-existent. Finally, the noise from nearby venues after hours was a...
Response from the owner
Dear Mr Tank,<br><br>Thank you for staying with us at DTLA Proper Hotel and for taking the time to share your candid feedback. I am truly sorry to learn that your experience did not live up to your ex...
Abhi
Had an outstanding stay at LA Proper Hotel ! Highly recommend LA Proper Hotel for a luxurious, seamless stay in downtown Los Angeles The check-in process was smooth and welcoming, making a great first impression. The property blends cozy warmth with contemporary style, making for a truly inviting and modern ambiance. The room was spacious and comfortable, and as an added perk, I received an upgra...
Response from the owner
Dear Abhi,<br><br>Thank you for choosing DTLA Proper Hotel and for sharing such a thoughtful and generous review.<br><br>We're delighted to hear your stay was seamless—from the warm welcome at check-i...
Wesley Chen
The hotel is stylish, clean, and beautifully designed. The service was excellent. The restaurant on the first floor was absolutely delicious! However, it does feel quite overpriced for what you get. Even with an Amex room upgrade, the room was still very small for the price point. The rooftop food was also expensive. But good thing is that if you are Amex platinum holder, they give you $100 food ...
Response from the owner
Dear Mr Chen<br><br>Thank you for choosing DTLA Proper Hotel and for taking the time to share such a balanced and detailed review. We’re delighted to hear you appreciated the style, cleanliness, and d...
Rio C
Absolutely loved our stay at Downtown LA Proper Hotel. From the front desk and doormen to the restaurant staff, everyone was genuinely welcoming and professional. Both on-site restaurants made us feel like we were back on the East Coast — a bit old-fashioned in the best way, with great design and incredible food. Our room was surprisingly quiet, a rare find in DTLA, and the rooftop gets lively a...
Response from the owner
Dear Rio <br><br>Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful feedback following your recent stay at DTLA Proper Hotel. We’re absolutely thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed your time with us—from ...
Casey Nicole
Wonderful location, and they upgraded my room which was much appreciated. The view are absolutely amazing. Was really hoping that a hotel like this with an upgraded room, that I would have a bath but no such luck. However, the shower didn't drain so it was almost like Taking a bath (I'm being sarcastic). It's also the kind of shower without a door so you freeze the whole time..I've been to far les...
Response from the owner
Dear Casey Nicole,<br><br>Thank you for staying with us at DTLA Proper Hotel and for sharing your experience.<br>I’m glad to hear you enjoyed our location and appreciated the room upgrade—and that the...
About One Michelin Key
One Michelin Key is awarded to hotels that offer a very special stay. These properties are characterized by their unique personality, high quality, and ability to create memorable experiences for guests.
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