In the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza’s newly updated 453 non-smoking guest rooms and suites, “an inviting palette of soft grays, ivories, midnight blues and rich chocolates captures the elegance of cosmopolitan living at its best.” That’s their pitch, although if you look at the photo before, you might just get that impression. What it is IS cosmopolitan, set in a hip and convenient part of Los Angeles. It is also elegant in a simple modern kind of way. Bottom line: for the price, it’s a great deal in downtown LA and convenient to most things in the nearby area, including a ten minute drive to the Convention Centre if walking distance hotels are sold out or overpriced.
I stayed there for the LA Times Travel Show in late February and was full disclosure, was hosted in the end. No upgrade though, so truth be told, they wanted me to experience the hotel’s most inexpensive room, which is likely the room category many casual travelers would book and some business travelers.
They tout the hotel as one that is equipped for leisure and business travelers alike, each guest room and suite offers modern conveniences and spectacular views of Bunker Hill or California Plaza Watercourt. Some of the features of their rooms are listed below.
- Deluxe Rooms: Featuring 384 square feet of space, with one king, two double beds or two queen beds and spectacular views of Bunker Hill or California Plaza.
- Club Rooms: Featuring up to 410 square feet of space, these rooms include the use of the exclusive Club Lounge (open 7 days), continental breakfast, evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
- Premier Rooms: Oversized room featuring up to 410 square feet of space with one king size bed and an in-room living area including plush seating.
- Executive Suites: Featuring 820 square feet of space, these oversized rooms feature a marble bathroom along with the numerous features of our deluxe room category. The separate parlor features an elegant wood bureau-style Murphy bed, large living area, private bath and more.
- California Suites: Each of the three California Suites (Carlton, Melrose and Bellevue Suites) features 1,300 square feet of space and upgraded furnishings. This room category includes one bedroom with European style bathroom and whirlpool tub, option of connecting second bedroom, separate living space including a small dining area and wet bar.
- Presidential Suite : Features 2,855 square feet of space, an oversized bedroom, marble bathroom with Jacuzzi tub, formal sitting and dining rooms, office space, powder room, kitchen pantry with butler entry and option of connecting second bedroom.
Above is a shot of a standard room, not unlike the room I had during my stay. They also have a spa and although I wasn’t able to sample their offerings, I did take a walk down to their gym and spa area. I can’t speak for the services, but the ambiance was about a C – no one on duty and only two rooms for massage and treatments. That said, I get the impression that their hotel is more tailored to business travelers who might be okay with an “in and out” treatment given their busy schedules and are more interested in the fact that you can get a massage on-site and less interested in the ambiance and full blown service.
Below is a sampling of their spa services:
- River Rock Massage: Balance and open the body’s energy centers with the penetrating heat of warm stones. Melt away tension and stress by combining this treatment with optional Deep Tissue deep tissue massage work.
- Enwrapture: Warm linens envelop your body as you soak in aromatic oils and enjoy a deeply calming rest. Then, after your muscles are warm, you are prepared to receive a sixty- or ninety-minute full-body Be Well Massage.
- Be Well Facial: This classic facial includes deep cleansing, gentle exfoliation and a clarifying masque. Detoxify your face and repair blemished pores while encouraging your skin to remain healthy and vibrant. They customize this treatment for many skin types, including mature and sensitive skin.
- Be Well Spa Parties: They pitch this option as the hottest way to entertain in LA is with a Be Well Spa Party.
Renee Blodgett is the Founder and Managing Editor of We Blog the World, a global travel, culture and lifestyle publication exploring the world through the lens of meaningful experiences, human connection and cultural depth. Having lived in 10 countries and traveled to 95, Renee has spent much of her life immersed in the people, traditions, landscapes and ideas that shape how we experience the world.
Since launching We Blog the World in 2007, she has written and produced extensive editorial coverage spanning boutique and luxury travel, culinary experiences, arts and culture, wellness, adventure, technology, spiritual traditions and transformative travel. Her work is rooted in the belief that travel is about more than where we go—it is also about what a place, culture or encounter awakens within us.
Renee brings more than three decades of experience across journalism, photography, media, brand strategy, technology, wellness and global storytelling. She has worked with companies and organizations around the world on brand positioning, communications, product launches, media strategy, speaker positioning and storytelling. Through Blue Soul Media, she works with authors, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and purpose-driven brands to clarify their message and expand their impact, which includes speaker coaching/training for high-profile stages such as TED and bringing authors’ work to market while retaining authors rights.
She is also the co-founder of Blue Soul Earth, an educational platform exploring consciousness, ancient wisdom, spirituality, healing and the intersection between science and the nature of reality. Renee is the producer and host of the award-winning Blue Soul CHATS, a conversational series bringing together leading voices in science, technology, consciousness, wellness and spirituality.
Her growing body of work also includes Blue Soul Living, which extends her interest in consciousness and well-being into the spaces we inhabit, exploring how intentional design, energy and environment can support greater harmony and connection.
Renee is the award-winning co-author of the bestselling Magdalene’s Journey and founder of the Magdalene Collection, inspired by women’s voices, stories and wisdom across cultures and generations.
A longtime photographer and storyteller, Renee has documented people, places and cultures around the world and produced photographic collections focused on destinations including the Galápagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome and Ecuador. She also co-founded Traveling Geeks, an international initiative that brought entrepreneurs, journalists, creators and technology leaders together with their counterparts in other countries to exchange ideas and explore innovation across cultures.
Renee’s work has been recognized by Forbes, the United Nations and others for her influence in media and social storytelling. Across her work in travel, media, consciousness and culture, a common thread remains: curiosity about the world, the stories that connect us and the ways meaningful experiences can change how we see ourselves and one another.
