The AC Hotel DTLA and its sister hotel, Moxy, are proving to be the perfect hotel destinations for travellers and locals looking to explore the downtown area.

The Lightstone-owned, dual-branded hotel is situated on the corner of the South Figueroa and Pico streets, a stone’s throw away from famous landmarks like the Crypto Arena, the home of the LA Lakers. For 1883’s recent trip to Los Angeles, the towering 37-storey building was our home for two days, and every moment was a delight. In total, there are 727 guest rooms and both hotels were designed by Yabu Pushelberg. The purpose behind the AC and Moxy is to appeal to independent explorers who are conscious of value, travel on their own terms, and prioritise thoughtful and intriguing design.

For the two-night stay, 1883 Magazine stayed in one of the AC Hotel DTLA’s 347 rooms, specifically a well-equipped standard two-queen beds room with a stellar view of the sports venue and the surrounding area. With the hotel’s sleek design, courteous staff, and general calming ambience, it’s easy to forget that the hotel only launched in April last year.

The room itself catered to the design-conscious guest who wants an elevated hotel experience for a reasonable price. The room came equipped with two comfortable beds, a 55-inch HD TV, wifi, and all the amenities you can expect of a typical stay such as the distinctive lighting which surrounds the bathroom mirror. Guests can enjoy 100% Egyptian cotton linens, a walk-in shower that utilises rainwater, and even certain suites are dog friendly.

Alongside the room, it was a pleasure to be able to enjoy areas such as the AC lounge, the library area, and the AC Kitchen, three tastefully decorated spaces. Each morning the 1883 team tucked into a delicious continental European-styled breakfast buffet for as little as $35 per person at the AC Kitchen. The buffet included possibly the best all-butter croissants we’ve ever eaten, fresh fruit, juices, hand-sliced artisanal prosciutto, plus more.

Both AC and Moxy are well-known hotel chains with numerous darted across the country and having the two distinguished hotel brands under one roof in downtown LA makes perfect sense. By having both hotels in the building, it allows the property to widen its appeal to a much wider audience. During our stay, it was easy to notice a mix of business travellers in town for a big meeting, young travellers eager to explore the city. You may even find the odd (what I can only assume) sports personality as one woman approached a well-built man asking for a selfie the morning after a big sports event at the Crypto Arena, in the AC Library area.

What makes the AC Hotel DTLA and the Moxy such an ideal area to stay in is that it’s close to an abundance of areas of interest. As previously mentioned, you can walk straight to the Crypto Arena for a big game or take a short bus ride further into downtown LA. During our stay at the AC, we easily visited popular landmarks like The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and more, all thanks to the AC’s great location.

Interestingly, the tower is not only home to the two hotel brands but also an incredibly immersive multi-dimensional entertainment concept by LA’s Houston Hospitality called Level 8. It’s also co-owned by AC/Moxy owners, Lightstone. What exactly is it? Well, it’s home to seven high-end bars, restaurants, and one mind-blowing nightclub, with each space having a different theme. The venues included are Golden Hour, Lucky Mizu, Maison Kasai, Mother of Pearl, Mr wanderlust, Que Barbaro, Sinners Y Santos, and The Brown Sheep.

Out of all of the incredible venues, we enjoyed an amazing meal at Level 8’s South American-themed restaurant Que Barbaro. All the dishes are cooked on an open grill by renowned LA-based chef Ray Garcia. The meals such as the Picanha (american wagyu sirloin), and the Anticucho De Hongo (oyster mushroom, black garlic, combray onion) were just exceptional. Following this, we checked out the hidden speakeasy bar Mr. Wanderlust, an atmospheric space that sees a pianist spin from a hidden room behind the bar and perform to the crowd, whilst later audiences can also enjoy burlesque entertainment whilst trying out some of its signature cocktails and drinks.

So a bonus to staying at the AC is that you are close to a buzzy nightlife hotspot such as Level 8. After your boozy or sober night out, you can quickly get to the AC lobby and back into your bed with ease. 

Overall, if you find yourself wanting to explore the downtown area of LA, then the AC Hotel DTLA is a fantastic place to lay your head after a busy day of sightseeing.

To find out more information about the AC Hotel DTLA, click here.

To find out more about Level 8, click here.

Words and photography Cameron Poole

Photography AC Hotel DTLA/Level 8

Thanks to AC Hotel DTLA, Level 8, and Purple PR