Conrad Los Angeles

Stayed 5 nights while travelling with family of four (2 kids, 11 and 13) as part of CA trip. Our main activities included a visit to Universal Studios and a Dodgers game so it made sense to try this hotel (also because I'm a Hilton Gold member). Positives: Location very convenient for both DTLA and also for getting on and off the 101. Building architecture is stunning and rooms feel modern, well equipped and relaxing. Great views over LA. Valet service is smooth and efficient. This immediate few blocks of DTLA feels pretty clean and safe, with the music centre, Disney Hall and The Broad over the road. Swimming pool is lovely with plenty of loungers and trees bringing a really nice vibe; pool attendants also very helpful. Plenty of "free" waters provided in recyclable cardboard packaging. Fast, smooth elevators. Design of lounge and restaurants is very nice with good views over Disney hall for San Laurel. Negatives: Valet parking way too expensive at $62 per night. Food and drink way too expensive. All clearly priced for business travellers on expenses. Room service tray adds $5 delivery fee and receipt includes a line for adding additional gratuity over and above the 20% automatically added (to those of us from the UK this is laughable!). As a result, as a family paying our own way we clearly did not consume much from this hotel! Although it's clearly a first world problem, I was amazed that the lovely pool did not feature a hot tub at all - there is loads of space around there to fit one in and lesser properties like the Garden Inn we stayed at beforehand had one, so why not at this 5* property? For me, this alone means I will not be coming back. The gym was well furnished but unfortunately didn't have the inspiring views I was hoping for from the running machines - just the side door of the law courts! Like many gyms, they also feature too many heavy free weights and too few lighter ones - most people use the lighter ones I think. The final negative was that - as a Gold member - I asked the night before check in about an upgraded room and was assured that I was eligible but they couldn't tell me what the upgrade would be until check in. Upon arrival I was told that my "upgrade" was to a higher floor. When I questioned this with another member of staff they basically told me that they had no rooms to upgrade me to, and that the room I had been given was in fact exactly the room type I'd booked. This felt to me like I was being messed around - I'd rather have been told simply "sorry we're full and we can't upgrade you this time" - expectation management and clear communications to loyalty members should be something a 5* hotel excels at. Overall we enjoyed the views and the luxury feel of the hotel and whilst I would return on business, I'd not return for another family stay.

We stayed here for 1 night and the hotel is beautiful and in a great location. You could walk to many things and was one of the only hotels that I didn’t see homeless people nearby. The rooms were nice and quiet and had a very nice bed and shower. The bar was also nice, overlooking the skyline. The staff was very nice and the house car as a very nice touch. I’d return again.

A stunning property on Grand Avenue, the Conrad provides a premium respite from a very gritty downtown LA. The location is directly across from the Walt Disney Concert Hall on what is arguably the cleanest block in town. The hotel has marvelous views of the city and a relaxing pool deck on the tenth floor. RECEPTION There is no street-level signage for Conrad so follow signs for The Grand. Valet and check in went very smoothly. Jennifer went above and beyond by booking a same day appointment for me at the spa for a 90 minute massage. She was cheerful, extremely pleasant and accommodated my very early check-in. ROOMS The rooms are amazing! Hardwood flooring, fine materials and large windows that actually tilt out to let in fresh air. All room lighting, which is exceptionally designed, can be operated from touch panels on each side of the bed as well as a main touch panel at the front door. Bathrooms have a very large vanity counter and large sliding panels allowing one to choose between privacy or openness. Beds are comfy and sit a bit low. Honor bar is nicely stocked with beverages but a little light on snack assortment. Slipper and bathrobes are furnished but the robes are cartoonishly small for anyone other than a size zero female. Soundproofing is excellent. Love the boxed water the hotel provides instead of single use plastics. Also loved the tamper-resistant shower gel bottles. HOUSEKEEPING Rooms are cleaned to a high standard and the housekeeping staff I encountered were friendly. Two small shortfalls: a. The hotel should improve their rug cleaning program. The soiled rug looked slightly out of place in another-wise pristine room; and b. Turndown service was somewhat tardy. A housekeeper knocked on my door at 8:45pm to do turndown. I declined but didn’t pass up the dark chocolates. Optimally, turndown should happen when one is at dinner. FOOD AND BEVERAGE OUTLETS The food here is terrible! Visited the lobby bar and had a burger and fries. The burger comes on a brioche bun with meat and cheese. No lettuce, tomato or pickle. The two patties were undercooked. I didn’t know anyone could screw up a burger so badly. Total for burger, fries, and a coke: $47 before tip! Breakfast in the San Lauren was an abomination! If it were fed to prisoners of war, it would be a violation of the Geneva Convention due to inhumane treatment. It wasn’t even edible! I ordered the 1st and Grand, which consists of two eggs, choice of meat (I chose bacon), toast and breakfast potatoes. What was supposed to be scrambled eggs were watery, adulterated and had poor consistency (see photo), the potatoes and bacon were sprinkled with some weird chili powder-like substance that totally ruined the flavor. Chef, don’t try to get cute with an American breakfast! Don’t try to reimagine an American breakfast unless you are Hash House a Go Go! It was such a bad experience that I thought I was being punked! The requested butter and jam didn’t even come until well after the other food. I ate the toast and let the rest of the roadkill go back to the kitchen. POOL I would rank the pool among the best in DTLA. Nice infinity pool with city views and plenty of loungers and cabanas. Note that poolside beverage service ends at 5pm, which is fine for the months with shorter days but too early for summer. The marine layer burns off around noon, which means guests only have about five good hours of poolside service when the sun is out. SPA A great, wonderfully designed spa with lots of amenities. Massage Therapist Evette did a terrific job! The spa doesn’t have a steam room but it does have a sauna. Nice assortment of treats in the relaxation room. Nice men’s shower and toiletries in the locker room. FITNESS CENTER The fitness center is thin on equipment and has room for plenty more. I would suggest a Smith Machine and barbell rack for curls and skull crushers. Dumbbells go to 75lbs. Cardio equipment is plentiful and the ellipticals and treadmills do face windows, which is always a plus. Overall, Conrad is a beautiful property close to the Dorthy Chandler Pavilion, The Broad, and the Disney Concert Hall. Bunker Hill doesn’t have a lot of great food options but at least you are in the only part of DTLA that doesn’t smell like piss. As an AMEX card holder, I probably wouldn’t come back. The free breakfast is the cornerstone of the AMEX Fine Hotel and Resorts booking. Since eating on property is not an option due to the terrible food, I would probably try out the Ritz Carlton next time. Ultimately, Conrad LA is a glorious place to stay if you don’t have taste buds.

I spent two days over the weekend in a cabana at the pool of the Conrad. Lauren and Raven’s attentiveness and anticipation of needs was immaculate. From spotting a need for a towel to bringing a fresh cup of ice once mine had melter, they were quick as a bunny. The grilled cheese was one of the best I’ve had and the fries were like McDonald’s but better. 10/10 would go back again for the experience the pool gives and the service that was provided.

This hotel is beautiful, modern and upscale. The staff is exceptional. Very friendly and welcoming, from the valets to the restaurant general managers. We were upgraded to a corner suite with a view of the Music Center, Disney concert hall etc.. The entrance off of 1st street, not Grand. The use of the house car was great. Used to be dropped off anywhere within a couple of miles, i.e. The Orpheum theatre, Vibiana event venue etc.. Although we live in the local area we decided to stay downtown since we were attending two downtown events during the weekend. I am so glad we stayed here and if the need arises again, it will be my hotel of choice.