Family Stay at the DoubleTree Los Angeles
For travelers around the world, Los Angeles is synonymous with Glamour, glitz, and the high life. Though the city is quite spread out, it is one of the more central places downtown area that is close to the major freeways providing quick and easy accessibility for visitors. For families looking for an affordable and convenient stay in the downtown area, the DoubleTree by Hilton in Los Angeles is a good choice, home to 434 suites and rooms. The hotel can be found at 120 South Los Angeles Street in Los Angeles, California.
What Makes it Family Worthy?
Located off the 110, 101 and 5 California freeways, the DoubleTree Hotel is less than a mile from the Los Angeles major attractions. Families will appreciate the hotel’s central location near Little Tokyo, the perfect local place to introduce kids to Japanese food and culture. The hotel is also not far from the rail station, the Broad Museum, Olvera Street, and the L.A. Food Mart. Parents, especially those with two or more kids, will appreciate the hotel’s spacious rooms and the proximity to entertainment venues like L.A Live and Pershing Square.
The DoubleTree Los Angeles caters mostly to business people,families will feel welcome too.
Our Welcome
We decided to book this hotel this past May for a night before our son’s college graduation from the University of Southern California which was a short minute drive away.As usual we called the property ahead to ask them for a quiet room with feather free bedding due to our son’s autism.When we arrived, we had to wait in a long line since it was almost 3 PM which was check-in time. Once we finally got to the counter, we were unhappy to hear that our room, with the requested feather free and quiet accommodations, was not ready. It did take several hours and a front desk manager to sort the snafu out.On the upside, our son with autism enjoyed several helpings of the famous warm chocolate chip cookies.
Hotel Decor
The decor of this particular Double Tree hotel was simple and elegant. All Asian styled furnishings, wall hangings, and artifacts were done in hues of browns, blacks, and tans.We liked the fact there were not only plenty of comfortable seating areas but also a place to watch TV while waiting. Overall the feel of the hotel was inviting and well lit, giving guests a pleasurable welcome when they checked- into the hotel.
Our Room
We stayed in a standard room 1601 on the 16th floor of the high rise hotel.
The first thing we saw after we closed the door was the Emergency sign. This sign was great because it informed us of where exactly where to go in the event of an evacuation. There was also a double lock on the door, ideal for parents traveling with ‘escape artists’ kids.
The carpeting in the room was brown with dark furniture to match. The wallpaper of the room was done in a light cream color that contrasted nicely with the brown patterned wallpaper overlooking the bed.
Upon entering the room, we came across the closet with its shutter doors. While the closet itself was roomy, there wasn’t a light which was a bit of an issue for visibility. There was plenty of room to store our luggage and hang clothes as well as an iron with ironing board. There was even an in-room safe with enough room to fit a large laptop.
The television stand in the central area had a coffee maker as well as a 50″ flat screen TV. It also had six built-in drawers, so there was additional storage space for items like clothes and personal things. Housed underneath the television stand was a mini fridge. The refrigerator did not come with any free bottled water, but there were bottles available in the room guests could pay for.
Thankfully our room boasted two queen beds. Situated between the two queen beds was a nightstand that doubled as a desk. We had never seen this layout before in any hotel and thought it was an interesting way to save space. The nightstand/desk had several outlets for charging devices as well as a relaxing sound machine and room phone.
We had a small sitting area by the window for reading and resting. The chair, unfortunately, didn’t open or recline in any way. The table beside the chair was perfect for magazines or books, and the lamp overhead provided enough light for reading without disturbing any other familymemberss.
Double curtains covered the window overlooking the Los Angeles high-rises. The window could only open slightly, which was perfect for those wanting fresh air to circulate the room while ensuring the safety of younger family members. The room had central A/C with an adjustable thermostat and its vent was placed overhead so it didn’t blow on any of the beds, which we greatly appreciated.
Our Bathroom
The door to the bathroom was across from the closet. The first thing we noticed when stepping into the bathroom was that the ceiling was rather low, which was a little odd. The room was rather small, yet functional and convenient.
The vanity had a speckled marble countertop and boasted an amenity kit that included soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Meanwhile, the storage spaces below the countertop held several towels. The commode was a basic model with a push button flush on top.
The shower pleasantly surprised us. Not only did it have a grab bar, which we always like to see, but it also had a no-slip mat which is rare these days. The shower head was, unfortunately,n ot a handheld model which might present a problem for those traveling with small children.
Amenities
The DoubleTree brand often has some quality amenities to offer for guests, and the Los Angeles location was no different.
Guests seeking total relaxation could try out the complimentary yoga classes held on the beautiful rooftop Kyoto Gardens on Thursday mornings. Any other day, guests could go up to the roof just to enjoy the zen gardens at their own pace.For guests wanting to travel the nearby area without their own car, the hotel provided a complimentary shuttle that covered a three-mile radius.
Travelers who love to exercise could use the 24-hour fitness center with all the essential exercise equipment like stairsteps, treadmills, and weights.Finally, visitors who forgot anything back at home, or who just wanted to find a fun souvenir, could go check out the hotel’s gift shop.
Dining
The hotel featured two restaurants on the property: the Justice Urban Tavern, and the Rendezvous Lounge.
The Justice Urban Tavern with its hip atmosphere boasted delicious meals prepared by chefs Gerry Leskody and Gabe Colunga. Diners could get nice classic dishes like beef brisket, blue crab cake sandwiches, Irish oatmeal, or beer battered fish and chips. We enjoyed their happy hour Tuna Tartare Tacos along with thier unique avocado cocktails..
Travelers looking for snacks and cocktails could go to the Rendezvous Lounge in the hotel’s lobby. Here, diners sat in nice chairs watching sports on HDTVs, enjoying things like oysters, New England clam chowder, and grilled salmon.There was also a Starbucks at the hotel for those wanting their favorite cup of java or a quick breakfast sandwich.
Cost
Prices start at $199 per room. Internet access is $9.95 per day for basic, $11.95 per day for high speed. There is on-site parking for $35 self and $40 valet which sounds steep but is the norm for downtown L.A prices.
Autism Travel Tips:
- Even when we requested a quiet room, we could still hear some noise from the nearby trains exiting Union Station. Families with noise sensitive children should take this into consideration.
- When checking in, guests get warm chocolate chip cookies, which kids are sure to love. However, families with children who have diet restrictions such as gluten intolerance should be aware of this ahead of time so they can avoid disappointment.
- As mentioned above, the window in the room does not open all the way. This fact should give some peace of mind to parents who might worry about their child falling out of the window otherwise.
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