Hip and walkable downtown Los Angeles location near tons of restaurants and bars
Memorably hip and inspired design from the Neoclassical facade to the guest rooms to the restaurants
One of the coolest rooftop pools in Los Angeles
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner under restored 1920s Italianate ceiling at The Restaurant
Handsome Giannini Bar for bespoke-style cocktails
The Coffee Bar, inspired by Venice cafes, sells specialty coffees and pastries
The Rooftop features an outdoor cafe and cocktail bar
Modern gym and shower in the basement
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Pets stay free
Valet parking available (for a fee)
Superieur Rooms are tiny for two people
Dimly lit lobby and corridors
Valet only parking (unavoidable in downtown Los Angeles)
Opened in 2018, the upscale NoMad Hotel Los Angels resides in the Neoclassical 1920s headquarters for The Bank of Italy. The gold and blue Italianate lobby ceiling has been completely restored and it serves a design inspiration throughout the impeccably styled public spaces and 241 rooms and suites. The Rooftop is the place to be, it's complete with a small cafe, hip swimming pool, and bar with a fun cocktail list. Back downstairs, The Restaurant, The Coffee Bar, and Giannini Bar were each impeccably designed with Italian influences and Californian menus. Single travelers should be comfortable in entry level Superieur Rooms, but couples will appreciate the extra square feet in Atelier Rooms. The over-the-top design and hip atmosphere can be too much for some. If that's the case for you, check rates at the business-friendly skyscraper InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown.
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Scene
Inside a Neoclassical landmark that formerly housed The Bank of Italy
Originally built in the 1920s as the headquarters for The Bank of Italy, the NoMad's new look (opened in 2018) keeps the old and adds heavy does of vintage hipness. The bank's original gold and blue Italianate lobby ceiling has been completely restored and is used as design inspiration throughout the rest of the hotel, which has a certain Italian vintage hip charm (the style won't be to everyone's tastes). Fans of the NoMad Hotel New York will recognize Jacques Garcia's design work and chef Daniel Humm in the restaurants, but there's a sense of Los Angeles flair, especially up on the rooftop pool which is complete with lush landscaping, intricate wicker chairs, and a stone fireplace in the shape of an angry demi-god (which looks especially cool when lit up at night). The dimly lit lobby and corridors are a turn off to some. This is definitely a hip place, but it's also quite refined and upscale. Guests are a mix of couples, business travelers, and locals on upscale staycations.
Location
On the corner of 7th and Olive Street in walkable downtown Los Angeles
Ten years ago it would have been unheard of to open an upscale hotel in downtown Los Angeles, but as of 2018 the neighborhood is almost completely gentrified and quite safe (there are some pockets on and around Skid Row with large homeless populations). The NoMad has an enviable location on the corner of 7th Street and Olive. Restaurants and bars in the immediate area include Shake Shack, Whole Foods, Sugarfish, Umami Burger, Golden Gopher, Seven Grand, and Los Angeles Biergarten. Farther afield, it's an 11-minute walk to Grand Central Market, with local favorites like Eggslut and Horse Thief BBQ. As for entertainment, STAPLES Center is an 18-minute walk (or six-minute drive); The Broad Museum is a 13-minute walk (or six-minute drive); and Walt Disney Concert Hall is a 15-minute walk (or six-minute drive). Universal Studios Hollywood is about 25 minutes away. Venice Beach can take up to 45 minutes to reach with traffic. LAX takes around 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Rooms
Italian vintage inspired accents and local art
The 241 rooms and suites were designed by French architect and designer Jacques Garcia, and each is impeccably done with nods to Italy and France, plus custom details. Except to see vintage metal light switches, custom-dyed Persian rugs, individual art by a French design studio, and embossed leather headboards. Features include a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, gourmet minibar, safe, steamer, and a closet. All rooms have a king-size bed, though the entry-level Superieur Rooms, at 300 square feet, are likely too tight of a fit for most couples. Upgrading to an Atelier Room or Junior Suite is likely more comfortable. Some rooms have freestanding pedestal bathtubs, while all have Terrazzo-floor walk-in showers. Hairdryers and Argan bath amenities are standard. Views mostly overlook the city streets, and the best views are obviously on the higher floors.
Features
The Rooftop, The Restaurant, The Coffee Bar
Features are reminiscent of what you'll find at the New York NoMad outpost, but with the very Californian addition of a rooftop pool. Only guests are allowed to swim, but anyone can order cocktails and food from the adjacent cafe and bar. The menu is quite tongue-in-cheek, one of the libations is called Pretty and Basic and another mimics the flow of lava. Downstairs, The Restaurant is an excellent place to impress clients or a first date. The Italian-inspired dining room is laid out over two floors and includes memorable decorative accents. The seasonal menu reflects Los Angeles's multicultural heritage. The Restaurant is open for breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, dinner, and 24-hour room service. The Coffee Bar is beautifully decorated to mimic a cafe in Venice, and it serves pastries and specialty coffees. There's a dark and well-equipped gym in the basement, Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Pets are allowed for free.
