The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles

Part shopping mall, part hotel, all big. This 1,354-room hotel's five cylindrical towers, made of reflective glass, shoot 35 stories into the sky, rivaling the nearby skyscrapers that bear names like UnionBank, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup. External glass elevators rocket guests up to their rooms at ear-popping speed. On the top floors, LA Prime serves expensive steaks, and customers sip drinks in the rotating BonaVista Lounge as they take in 360-degree views of the Los Angeles skyline.

Given its location in L.A.'s downtown financial center and its 110,000 square feet of convention space, the hotel caters primarily to business travelers. But for a business-oriented place, the Westin Bonaventure packs a load of additional leisure-style amenities: a heated outdoor pool, a spa, a host of dining options, and extensive workout facilities. 

The only other mega-hotel in the area that offers similar amenities (but no spa) is the enormous Wilshire Grand. Travelers should consider whichever option is cheaper. For a downtown location with better decor and classier public spaces, you can pay more and stay at the Omni, although its rooms are underwhelming.

The Westin Bonaventure sits right in the middle of downtown Los Angeles, the city's central business district and the hub of its developing rapid transit system. It's within strolling distance of the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and a few blocks from the 7th Street Metro center, a key hub of the city's woefully underappreciated subway system. The Westin has a slight edge over some other downtown hotels because it's only a block away from the Harbor Freeway, which connects to both the Hollywood Freeway and the Santa Monica Freeway for quick access to other parts of L.A.

• The Staples Center (where the Lakers and Clippers basketball teams play) and the Los Angeles Convention Center are a five-minute drive south.
• 10-minute walk to the Museum of Contemporary Art, the only L.A. museum devoted entirely to contemporary art
• 15-minute walk to the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a high-design building that's home to the L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra
• Within walking distance are the seedy, but lively, diamond district, and the garment district (aka the fashion district), a 90-block hub of the apparel industry, including wholesalers, retailers, and designers.
• Five- to 10-minute drive to Union Station, with access to the Metro
• 30- to 45-minute drive from the beach (Santa Monica is the closest)
• 25- to 30-minute drive to Rodeo Drive/Beverly Hills, with high-end shopping and swanky mansions
• 20-minute drive to Universal Studios Hollywood theme park
• 15-minute drive to touristy Hollywood Boulevard, the Walk of Fame, and Grauman's Chinese Theatre
• 20- to 30-minute drive to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

The Westin Bonaventure underwent renovations to all its rooms in 2011, and they feature solid amenities for the price and great views of the Los Angeles skyline from floor-to-ceiling windows.

• Standard rooms vary in size, but start at 200 square feet, small for downtown hotels, but about the same as at Wilshire Grand.
• Great views of the downtown skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows (much better views than at Wilshire Grand)
• Standards have one king or two double beds with famously comfortable Westin Heavenly brand duvets and mattresses
• 32-inch flat-screen TVs with pay-per-view movies.
• In-room Internet is charged per day, but it's fast and reliable.
• Average-size bathrooms with granite countertops, Heavenly Spa toiletries, and the Westin's trademark double-headed shower
• Coffeemaker with free instant Starbucks coffee
• All rooms have mini-fridges and free bottled water
• Suites range up to 2,520 square feet and have separate living areas, microwaves, mini-fridges, and wet bars; the most basic suite starts at 380 square feet

The Westin Bonaventure has all the requisite amenities of any large downtown hotel chain, plus a few more -- a good number for the price range. However, some, such as the pool, are lackluster and others, like the business center, are expensive.

• The outdoor, heated, 4th-floor pool has views of neighboring skyscrapers, but otherwise it's average size and has no special features.
• Fitness center has plenty of cardio and strength-training machines, and free weights.
• On-site Bonaventure Spa has a variety of treatments available and a hair and nail salon.
• Business center is expensive; printing, photocopying, fax, Internet.
• Variety of shops and restaurants
• Enterprise car rental desk on-site

The hotel's downtown location is a mixed bag for families. It's not near any of the major tourist destinations or the beach, but it takes less than 45 minutes to get to the majority of them. The small rooms and business vibe aren't ideal for families, but the on-site pool is a plus. If you're going to be downtown, however, the Wilshire Grand -- with many of the same amenities -- has an edge because it's nearer to a Metro station for service to Universal Studios.

• Outdoor, heated pool is good for kids.
• Less than 45-minute drive to major tourist destinations like Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Universal Studios Hollywood
• Lots of indoor space for kids to run around, just like the Wilshire Grand
• Free cribs; rollaways are charged per night.
• The hotel has adjoining rooms, but guests can't request them in advance; you have to try at the hotel.
• 10-minute walk (longer with kids) from the nearest Metro station
• Kids' menu for room service, plenty of fast-food and simple, kid-pleasing dining options

Guests have plenty of restaurants to choose from at the Westin Bonaventure. Options include a Subway, several Chinese restaurants of varying price, and several hotel-sponsored restaurants. Many are scattered throughout the first six floors in the lobby atrium; LA Prime and the BonaVista Lounge are on the hotel's top floors, providing great views of the city.

• LA Prime is a New York-style steakhouse; entrees range from fettuccini to steaks -- all fairly pricey.
• Lakeview Bistro offers casual dining, breakfast, and lunch; entrees range from fish and chips to pan-seared salmon.
• BonaVista Lounge, a revolving cocktail lounge with panoramic views.
• Lobby Court serves Starbucks coffee, light breakfast fare from early dawn till noon, and cocktail service throughout the day.
• Many other restaurants in the food court: fast food, including Subway and Panda Hut, and casual sit-down places.
• Additional drinks options at Suede and Bonaventure Brewing Company