Hotel Per La

Hotel Per La, Los Angeles: A Comprehensive Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property

Hotel Per La, nestled in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, stands out as a Michelin Key selected property, offering a blend of old-world charm and modern Italian-inspired luxury. Housed in the historic former Bank of Italy building from 1922, the hotel is recognized for its architectural and interior design excellence, quality service, distinctive character, value, and contribution to the local setting.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Hotel Per La is overwhelmingly positive, with an impressive overall rating of 8.5 out of 10 based on numerous guest reviews. Guests frequently use words like "beautiful," "stunning," "excellent," and "outstanding" to describe their experience. The hotel consistently scores highly for cleanliness (9.0/10) and staff performance (9.0/10), indicating a well-maintained property with attentive service.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several key aspects of Hotel Per La:

• Design & Aesthetics: The hotel's "old world charm" and "modern Italian style" are frequently highlighted. The decor is described as gorgeous, sumptuous, high-end luxury, with thoughtful details that honor the historical building. The lobby's fully restored gold and blue Italianate ceiling serves as inspiration for the guest room color palette.
• Rooftop Pool & Bar (Bar Clara): The rooftop area is a major draw, offering a tranquil oasis with panoramic skyline views of downtown Los Angeles. Guests enjoy the "super chill, fun vibes" and "delish" poolside drinks and food.
• Service: The staff consistently receives high marks for being "attentive and amazing," "friendly," "helpful," and "knowledgeable".
• Location: While some reservations exist about the immediate surroundings, many find the location in Downtown LA perfect and convenient for exploring the city's art, entertainment, and shopping.

3. Room Quality

The 241 rooms and suites at Hotel Per La are designed with an Italian influence, featuring custom furnishings and luxurious Bellino linens. Reviewers describe the rooms as "beautiful," "spacious," and "stunning interior" with "gorgeous, large bedroom and bathroom".

• Comfort: Beds are frequently praised as "extremely comfortable" and pillows as "heavenly".
• Design Elements: Many rooms include standalone pedestal bathtubs and separate wash closets, as well as terrazzo-tiled walk-in showers. The decor incorporates vibrant details and European accents, creating a timeless feel.
• Amenities: Rooms come with desks, fully stocked mini-bars (though some guests noted inconsistencies), toiletries, bathrobes (available upon request), and flat-screen TVs with free Wi-Fi. Some rooms offer city views, while others provide courtyard views.

4. Dining Experience

Hotel Per La offers several dining options that generally receive positive feedback:

• Ristorante Per L'Ora: This ground-floor restaurant and bar serves coastal Italian cuisine with local L.A. influences. Guests have described the food as "exquisite" and the restaurant itself as "gorgeous".
• Café Ora: A Venetian-inspired daytime cafe, offering coffee and pastries.
• Bar Clara (Rooftop): This rooftop bar provides poolside Mediterranean fare along with drinks and city views. Guests enjoy the "super chill" atmosphere and "delish" drinks and cool.
• Breakfast: Room service breakfast has been rated highly (10/10) by some guests. However, there have been comments regarding the breakfast credit associated with the destination fee, with some finding it insufficient to cover the cost of two entrees and two coffees.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Hotel Per La is consistently lauded as a strong point. Guests describe the staff as "attentive and amazing," "approachable, polite, knowledgeable and helpful," and "top-notch from start to finish". Specific mentions include friendly check-in staff, helpful bellmen, and great bar staff. The hotel aims to provide "first-class service".

6. Location & Accessibility

Hotel Per La is located at 649 South Olive Street in Downtown Los Angeles, in what is considered a walkable district.

• Proximity to Attractions: It offers easy access to the city's art, entertainment, and shopping scene. Notable nearby attractions include the Grammy Museum (tickets for two guests are included in the amenity fee), Crypto.com Arena (within walking distance), Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Bloc Shopping Center, and Pershing Square.
• Transport: The hotel is near metro lines, including the 7th Street/Metro Center Metro Station, providing convenient access to other parts of the city. It's also a short drive from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Bob Hope Airport (BUR).
• Neighborhood Perception: While many appreciate the central location, some guests have described the immediate exterior neighborhood as "a bit sketchy and dirty".

7. Value & Pricing

Hotel Per La is considered a good value for money by many guests, especially considering its prime location and amenities. Rates can start from approximately $133 to $255 per night, with an average price of around $354 per room, which is higher than the city's average but reflective of the luxury offered.

• Destination Amenity Fee: A daily destination amenity fee of $35 plus tax is charged. This fee typically includes an $18 daily food and beverage credit, two tickets to the Grammy Museum, daily access to the Los Angeles Athletic Club, and enhanced high-speed internet access. Some guests have expressed this as an "annoying" and "not nice surprise".
• Parking: Valet parking is available but can be expensive, with one guest reporting $69/night.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Noise Levels: Guests on lower floors, particularly the second floor, have reported issues with noise from the street impacting sleep. The hotel acknowledges this feedback and aims to improve sound insulation.
• Inconsistent Amenities: Some guests experienced issues with missing mini-bars or coffee makers in their rooms, despite them being advertised.
• Bathroom Design Flaws: One reviewer mentioned a finger-wide gap in the bathroom glass door, causing water to flow out. Another noted small sinks and a desire for magnifying mirrors and brighter lighting in the bathroom.
• Destination Fee Value: While it includes several benefits, some guests feel the daily food and beverage credit within the destination fee is insufficient, and that the included activities (like the Grammy Museum) may not appeal to all guests, making the fee feel compulsory.
• Initial Check-in Issues: There were isolated instances of incorrect room numbers or non-functional key cards upon check-in.

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