Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles

It’s kind of exciting news for the luxury travel market; a new Ritz-Carlton hotel opened in downtown Los Angeles. Downtown LA has undergone such a complete transformation from a few years ago that it’s almost unrecognizable as being the same place. The Walt Disney Concert Hall, home to the Los Angeles  Philharmonic, brings class to the downtown area, and the entertainment complex LA Live is a huge draw to live shows. The best indicator of downtown’s renaissance is the new Ritz-Carlton hotel near LA Live. After all, the Ritz-Carlton corporation would never build a new luxury hotel in an area that seemed tenuous.

I enjoyed strolling around the hotel, and having an incredibly dinner with another couple. We dined at the WP24 Restaurant & Lounge by Wolfgang Puck: It’s on the 24th floor. Wolfgang Puck, 24th floor…WP24 — get it? The four of us were treated impeccably — and it only turned out when the bill arrived that the waiter didn’t know we were there to review the joint! This speaks to the high level of service at the Ritz-Carlton (though of course the name is one you’d associate only with very high standards). I really appreciated knowing that we hadn’t been treated any differently than other guests of the restaurant or hotel; this meant that everyone was treated incredibly well. The entrees were primarily Asian, with an emphasis on dumplings for starters.

As the evening progressed and we worked our way through martinis and wine, the waiter impressed us with both his knowledge regarding what wines would go well with which items on the menu. He also matched our joviality while remaining professional. The other diners and people in general seemed to enjoy being there, as there’s a certain life to the WP24 that makes it a fun place to be. It was a delicious, terrific meal, and I recommend WP24 wholeheartedly for anyone wishing to class it up in sometimes crazy downtown Los Angeles.

The rest of the hotel is commendable as well. There are 123 guest rooms and suites here, along with a rooftop swimming pool (heated), a Ritz-Carlton Spa and Club Lounge, and babysitting and limousine services available upon request. While I was treated to a couple’s dinner at WP24, I didn’t experience other aspects of the hotel first-hand.

Keep in mind, this is a cosmopolitan hotel in an urban area, rather than one of the Ritz-Carlton luxury resort properties. Sprawling grounds are replaced with vertical architecture, and on-site golf exchanged for a deluxe spa, enhanced concierge recommendations and assistance with nearby Los Angeles activities, and quiet refined dining with a festive yet sophisticated ambiance at WP24.

Anyone seeking luxury lodging in the downtown area of Los Angeles, California should look into this Ritz-Carlton hotel. It’s so nice to be able to walk around this vibrant, thriving center of the city, and then relax in the splendor of a Ritz.

Los Angeles