Ramada by Wyndham Los Angeles/Downtown West

The common spaces of the Ramada are simple and tasteful, toeing the line between comfort and functionality. The large lobby is poorly lit, but includes both leather couches for lounging and circular tables with power outlets for those looking for workspace. A babbling rock fountain heightens the sense of relaxation and creates an atmosphere that's a step above what one may find in the average chain hotel lobby. There's also a large breakfast room next to a small courtyard where guests can eat or curl up by a fire pit. A second larger and sunnier courtyard has more seating and greenery. 

While the hotel feels like your standard chain hotel, with simple, unobtrusive decor, the Ramada has incorporated several Asian elements, likely a nod to its Koreatown location. Ornate, flowery gold banisters peel down staircases and decorative pottery is displayed in the lobby. The hotel draws a diverse crowd of business and leisure travelers. 

The hotel sits on a busy road at the edge of Koreatown and downtown L.A. It's within a 15- to 20-minute walk of the Staples Center, LA Live, and the Convention Center, and it draws people in town for sporting events, concerts, and conferences. Near bus lines but not the metro, the hotel is less convenient for seeing other local attractions, unless you have a car. There are a number of restaurants in the area, particularly Asian restaurants due its proximity to Koreatown, but some guests have complained that the area feels seedy at night. The Los Angeles International Airport is a 25-minute drive away but can take significantly longer to reach during periods of high traffic.

The rooms at the Ramada Los Angeles/Downtown West are simple, spacious, and tastefully designed, with plump white bedspreads and red bed scarves. Yellow accent walls with cut-out windows and abstract paintings give the rooms a chicer feel than what one might find in the standard chain hotel room. Rooms come with microwaves, mini-fridges, and workspaces, and Double and Queen Rooms also have tables. While most of the furniture has visible nicks and dents, everything is in functional condition. Bathrooms range in style -- Double Rooms have large showers, while Queen Rooms have shower/tub combos. Higher-priced rooms have whirlpools. The hotel also has a Japanese Suite, which has a raised sleeping area cordoned off by bamboo and paper screens.

The hotel has a small outdoor pool with some lounge seating. The small fitness center, which is in an industrial-feeling room off the garage, includes no more than a few free weights, two treadmills, and two stationary bikes. The equipment is not new, but is in good condition. The hotel serves a free buffet breakfast in a large space that has more of a lounge-y, bar feel -- shifting colored lights shine against silver and white bamboo-lined walls, while bright red curtains hang over the windows, blocking some of the sunlight. There's also a business center with a couple of desktop computers and conference rooms that can host up to 200 people.