Hotel Figueroa in downtown Los Angeles is one of the longest-standing and most historic hotels in LA. It’s nestled within one of L.A.’s most buzzy neighborhoods and has a prime location, just steps from the STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center. It sits on iconic “Figueroa Street,” (get it? “Hotel Figueroa?”) in the South Park neighborhood — which is a trendy, growing district that hosts numerous museums, art galleries, and music venues.
DTLA has been Hotel Figueroa’s home for nearly a century and through the various ups and downs of this historic section of LA that was once a mecca for Hollywood splendor, and has seen much change with the times.
“The Fig’s” deep historical roots in Los Angeles extend into standing up for women’s independence. This destination was once a safe-haven for professional women travelers as a YWCA. It’s even said that the first General Manager was in fact, a woman.
It was the largest commercial building funded by women for women when it first opened in 1926, and a favorite amongst solo female travelers (who at the time weren’t allowed to check into most hotels without a male chaperone) as a safe place to spend the night.
This freedom for females to travel solo (which is something I now realize that I’ve taken for granted) created previously unheard of opportunities for women to spend time with other like-minded independent women, which opened doors in the fight for women’s rights. The property began to attract outgoing and strong-minded females from all over the world.
The property was recently restored to take inspiration from its original 1926 Spanish Colonial grandeur, and features a sultry, classic interior style, which you can browse, below:
The Fig itself serves as an ever-evolving museum, hosting a rotating art program that offers museum quality installations from local artists and literary collections from Los Angeles based authors.
Upon entering the hotel and walking into the lobby you can immediately sense that it’s a destination that’s rich in history and culture. The décor matches the atmosphere — it’s classy and sophisticated.
Guests will enjoy a stay in one of the 268 rooms & suites spread across 14 floors. A standout signature design feature on-site is the coffin-shaped pool on the ground floor — the only ground floor hotel pool left in downtown Los Angeles due to more recent architecture laws.
For my overnight visit, I was lucky enough to stay in the “Event Suite,” which features fantastic views of the city DTLA skyline and offered me so much space to spread out — including an entire living area and two separate bathrooms. I could’ve lived here all week!
The view of the sun setting over downtown LA from my room was gorgeous.
I was on a “workation,” since this hotel is just five miles from my apartment, but it was 100% worth it to get out of the house and get inspired by a change of scenery.
The property is currently hosting a “Work Perks” package, offering remote workers the chance to retreat away from home for one day from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. It’s designed for getting work done that demands your attention — without the distractions that can come with being in your own living space.
The Work Perk Suite includes the use of all the amenities at Hotel Figueroa, including the fitness center and the pool. There are a few different options for rooms you can check out here, to figure out what’s best for your needs — but ultimately all the rooms offer a quiet living area, an executive writing desk and ample outlets to charge those “must-have” devices.
When it’s time for a snack, there are two eateries on-site — Breva, and Veranda, where guests can enjoy cuisine from expert Chef Adrian Garcia who creates masterful dishes by using locally sourced ingredients.
I enjoyed a hearty spread of food al fresco, by the pool — paired with a delicious (and satisfyingly strong) margarita.
Downstairs, more serious cocktail aficionados can normally pay a visit (due to ever-changing safety protocols be sure to check local protocols and restrictions before embarking on your trip) and spend time enjoying the lively atmosphere in its two cozy, lounge style bars—Bar Figueroa, and Bar Alta.
Right now the bar is open at “Veranda al Fresco” serving up a generous selection of outdoor, poolside cocktails and bites with a Mexico City-inspired menu including tacos, quesadillas and shrimp ceviche.
And of course, there’s always in-room dining… When it came time for a nightcap I cherished a delicious hot toddy apple cider with a hearty splash of whiskey delivered straight to my room to enjoy on the spacious couch.
The next morning, I visited the on-site fitness center, which features not one but two Pelotons, and an enormous outdoor patio space which can be used for any kind of on-demand solo workouts such as a yoga or a HIIT class.
Wellness is a large component of the hotel’s programming, and there’s currently on-site fitness classes available on an ongoing basis for hotel guests (complimentary) and locals (rates vary per class) seeking a relaxing getaway in their own backyard. You can check out the most updated wellness offerings, here.
With a 12 p.m. checkout, there’s plenty of time in the morning to savor those final hours of spending time in this luxurious destination in trendy downtown Los Angeles.
Ultimately Hotel Figueroa is a luxurious escape nestled into the heart of one of downtown Los Angeles’ most happening neighborhoods. Its a perfect place for a meetup with a friend for a bite to eat al fresco, or to enjoy a solo workation away from your apartment.
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