HotelChatter

THE J.W. MARRIOTT
The Marriott’s entrance is right on Olympic under an enormous overhanging porte-cochere that fronts on the huge, open lobby. They had just finished installing the crystalline lobby chandeliers prior to our visit.

Check-in will be performed at pods sort of like electronic ticketing at an airport, and the back of the lobby will contain the L.A. Market upscale restaurant, an Illy Coffee bar, a wine bar called Glance, and the Mixing Room cocktail lounge. The entire lobby opens directly to the L.A. Live complex. Up on the fourth floor, the Marriott’s pool will be located on a huge terrace complete with a bar and capacity for big parties like movie premieres.

The JWM will have 878 guest rooms including 52 suites, all decorated in a mix of sophisticated tones of mocha and cream with splashes of bolder Californian colors, like a bright orange decorative chest of drawers. The overall effect is understated but colorful.

THE RITZ-CARLTON
The Ritz’s entrance is on Georgia Street, a small side street, and guests will be whisked directly up to the Ritz’s lobby on the 23rd floor, which is highlighted by a crystal and amethyst chandelier. Guests of the Ritz can also enjoy use of the 3,400 square-foot Club Lounge near the lobby that will be divided into a dining area and library sitting room.

The pool for the Ritz is on the 26th floor with jaw-dropping views of downtown and the entire city, and a small pool bar. The Ritz’s restaurant is also up in a corner of 26, and will feature a more casual wine bar with small bites as well as a fancier restaurant which will be helmed by a celebrity chef (negotiations are ongoing so we can’t give you a name to go on yet).

Everything about the décor of the Ritz rooms speaks low-key elegance. Hallways are lined with red maple wood paneling lit by Swarovski crystal lighting. Each of the 123 rooms (including 14 suites) contains a swiveling glass-topped desk, metallic-toned walls, and gold, green and yellow accents, not to mention black-and-white marble bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and rain showers.

THE REST
All the components of the complex will share the events facilities, known as the “Gallery Complex” in a building that is separate from the main tower, but connects to the hotel via a skyway. All told, there’s 77,000 square feet of conference and meeting spaces, boardrooms and ballrooms, the largest of which is the Diamond Room, coming in at over 25,000 square feet. Now that’s one big bar mitzvah party room.

With over two months left to go until completion, the new hotel complex is still very much a work in progress, so we’ll keep you updated as the design elements come together and the opening day draws nigh.