Downtown, United States
Contemporary rooms with mini-fridges and coffeemakers
Great views from floor-to-ceiling windows
Outdoor heated pool
Wide range of on-site restaurants and shopping
Central location
Revolving bar with 360-degree city views
Free Wi-Fi for all guests
At least 30 minutes from the beach
Fee for Internet access
Pricey parking
Expensive business center
Like downtown neighbor Wilshire Grand, this towering hotel offers many perks for the price: pool, shops, large fitness center -- only with better views. Rooms are generic but well-equipped, featuring flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Wi-Fi is free for all guests and on-site parking is expensive.
Scene
A massive business hotel, with a six-story shopping mall and lots of amenities, in downtown L.A.'s financial district
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.
Location
In downtown Los Angeles, within walking distance of several major institutions
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.
Rooms
Typical chain-hotel rooms with flat-screen TVs and floor-to-ceiling windows
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.
Features
All the features one expects at a high-end hotel, although some are below average
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.
Family
Decent for families, but there are better options in the neighborhood
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.
All-Inclusive / Food
Huge variety of restaurants on-site, from fast-food to fancy steaks
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.
Bi Level Suite
Laguna Parlor Suite
Malibu Parlor Suite
Master Suite
One Bedroom Suite
Tower Executive Suite
Traditional Room
Westin Workout Tower Executive Suite
United States