I finally had the chance to stay at one of the newest apex hotels in Los Angeles, not to mention the current tallest building west of the Mississippi.
Here is my review of the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown.
Review: Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown (Los Angeles, CA)
(Image courtesy of ihg.com)
About The Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown:
Here’s the official information from the IHG website for the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown, the “tallest building in the west”.
(Image courtesy of ihg.com)
Location & Getting There:
Located in the downtown Financial District, the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown is located directly across from the “7th and Fig” train station on the property once occupied by the legendary Wilshire Grand Hotel.
There is plenty to see and do here like the Staples Center, the Grammy Museum, and the FIGat7th shopping center, to name just a few things within walking distance. There are also plenty of great restaurants and bars located right on 7th.
Getting to the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown from LAX Airport is not an easy [or fast] task.
There as no reliably good public transportation options. The best option is a taxi or ride-share service. Plan on at least 1 hour (or more in heavy rush-hour traffic) from airport to hotel.
The Redemption:
I hold the legacy Chase IHG Rewards Club credit card, which has a $49 annual fee (and has since been replaced by the Chase IHG Rewards Club Premier credit card).
In the good ol’ days, this card came with a free annual night benefit redeemable at any IHG property in the world (although this benefit was devalued [effective late 2019] to a free annual night at a property up to 40,000 points).
Last year, I used the $49 free annual night for a $549 stay at Hotel Indigo® London – 1 Leicester Square.
Fortunately for me, I got one final worth-while use outta the free annual night before it was devalued forever.
I booked a 2 Queen Superior Room at the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown with the free night award (which was going for $260.09 at the time of booking). This gave me a net value of $211.09, not bad.
The 70th Floor Sky Lobby:
You read that right. The sky lobby of the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown is located on the 70th floor, and just as you might expect, the views are amazing.
Amazing (and perhaps vertigo-inducing) views from the lobby (copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
A chair made of belts? (copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
Views From The Sky Lobby:
The views from the 70th floor are one of the signature features of the hotel.
Note the cars on the freeway (below). Yes, you are really high up.
A pane of glass is all that stands between you and…(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
The view southward (copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
View of the Ritz-Carlton (copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
Check-In:
When I arrived, there was a long line from the desk to the elevator areas, even with nearly all the desks staffed.
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
When I finally made it to the check-in desk, the service was polite and quick. My IHG status was not noted and I was unfortunately not offered an upgrade.
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
The Hallway:
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The 2 Queen Superior Room:
As the rooms (and the building) were almost brand new, everything was very tidy and clean.
Everyone may be a star, but not everyone gets an upgrade (copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
The rooms themselves were minimalist and modern in their decor.
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
The beds and pillows were quite comfortable (copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
There was plenty of work space on the desk and the internet was strong and fast (copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
View of the Hotel Indigo (copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
The Bathroom:
The bathroom too was minimalist. Although modern, I’m not sure I would say it was luxurious.
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
Agrarja Toiletries (copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
Room Amenities:
That bottle of wine is definitely not complimentary (copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
Keurig? You’d think they would have gone with Nespresso (copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
Hey, they have 805 beer, legit! (copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
Views From The Room:
The view west. On a clear day, you could see the ocean from here (copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
View of the pool below (copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
The Hotel Amenities
Spire 73:
Whether you are staying at the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown or not, Spire 73 is a must-do when you are visiting Los Angeles. The views from the 73rd floor are extraordinary.
FHOP Tip: Fair warning, Spire 73 is quite the scene and gets super-crowded regularly. If you are a guest, you may have an “in”, but even that is not a guaranteed. Your best bet is to get there at the opening in the early evening.
(Image courtesy of ihg.com)
La Boucherie:
(Image courtesy of ihg.com)
The Pool:
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
The Fitness Center:
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
(Image courtesy of ihg.com)
(Image courtesy of ihg.com)
(Image courtesy of ihg.com)
The Meeting Hall:
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
Interestingly enough, several windows were shattered here (building stress fractures?) (copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
Breakfast At Dekkadance:
Breakfast is served daily at Dekkadance, a wonderful spot (with great views) and a large and varied selection of breakfast items.
(Image courtesy of ihg.com)
(copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
The view from Dekkadance (Image courtesy of ihg.com)
Breakfast with a view (copyright flyinghighonpoints.com)
The Bottom-Line Review: Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown (Los Angeles, CA)
Overall, I was pleased with my stay at Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown, although I wasn’t completely blown away (except by the views and Spire 73).
I will say this, the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown is a great place to stay for a first-timer in L.A. looking for a mid-tier option. It’s impressive. I’ll go even further, the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown is likely worth a stay for everybody (at least once). It’s damn impressive.
It may not be the most high-end luxury Intercontinental Hotel in the world – or even close to the best you can find in Los Angeles – but I’m told the current President stays here when in he’s in L.A., so take that as you will.
Final Review: 7.5/10 Recommended
