90014 Travel Guide
Sweet Suites / Hotel Suites / LA Hotels / Theme Rooms / → All Tags
Cool Indoor Camping Suite at LA Hotel

We've all kind of figured out the "glamping concept", but this one that rolled across our desk seemed pretty cool. It's called "Urban Camping" and it's a special experience being offered at the 72-room historic Hotel at the Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC).
From now until August 31st, you have the opportunity to stay in the downtown LA hotel's themed suite--namely an indoor campsite. The room has a luxury teepee with an ornate tented bed, and lot of camping-type decorations like leather saddle bags, animal pelts, and more.
Hotel Crime / Downtown LA Hotels / Hotel News / Hotel Woes / Los Angeles Hotels / Hotel Deaths / → All Tags
Dead Body Found in LA Hotel's Water Tank
Guests at the historic Cecil Hotel in downtown LA had been complaining about low water pressure in their rooms. Eventually the cause was discovered---a body was at the bottom of the water cisterns, blocking water flow.
On Tuesday, a hotel maintenance worker discovered the body of 21-year old Elisa Lam inside a tank that helps provide water for the hotel after guests, according to CNN, complained that the water also "tasted funny" and had a "black color" when you first turned the tap on. The Canadian woman had been reported by missing by her parents a week ago. She was apparently staying at the $65-a-night hotel located near Skid Row, but hadn't been seen since the last week of January.
The hotel's cistern tanks supply water for room bathrooms, and are a washing and drinking outlet. The water is also used for cooking in the hotel--therefore the coffee shop has been shut down and is also under orders to sanitize its equipments before it reopens.
When the body was discovered, the hotel relocated guests of 27 rooms to another hotel, and for the others that chose to remain, the hotel made those guests sign a waiver that they acknowledged being informed of the health risks and were provided bottled water. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's Terrance Powell, a director coordinating the department's response, said "Our biggest concern is going to be fecal contamination because of the body in the water," Powell said. He said the likelihood of contamination is "minimal" given the large amount of water the body was found in, but the department is being cautious.
Hotel Renovations / Los Angeles Hotels / Downtown Los Angeles Hotels / → All Tags
The Los Angeles Athletic Club Goes Old-School and High Class

Expect more old-school, gentleman's club touches once the new LACC rooms are unveiled
Last week we brought you news that Los Angeles Athletic Club—which we were surprised to learn was a hotel, too—was offering a Dodger Deal Package to baseball aficionados who wanted an MVP experience at their next game. We also pointed out that, despite the club's amenities, Downtown LA isn't yet the bustling destination that Westward neighborhoods, namely Hollywood, West Hollywood, and even Santa Monica, are.
That said, we've received exclusive news and details about a full-fledged cosmetic renovation to the LACC that should make the prospect of staying Downtown much more appealing. Well-regarded restaurants, like the recently opened Downtown outpost of Chaya, and rich theater culture are drawing formerly hesitant visitors to an area that's in the throes of a Renaissance period. Plus, there's a flock of curious moviegoers who saw (500) Days of Summer, are newly fascinated by the neighborhood (where the movie took place), and may need a place to stay if they're going to explore it.
Jock Jam Hotels / Los Angeles Hotels / Downtown Los Angeles Hotels / → All Tags
Who Knew The Los Angeles Athletic Club Was Also a Hotel?

As seen from home plate.
The Average Joe's (or Jane's) baseball game experience involves cheap beer, greasy hot dogs, and seating in the thick of a rowdy, expletive-yelling crowd. Some might argue that this is baseball-done-right, but if joining in on The Wave and bringing along binoculars to peer at the field is less appealing than cheering on the visiting team, then it's time to roll like an MVP.
In Los Angeles, which proudly declares itself "Dodgertown" during baseball season, there's a hotel deal to be had if you stay at the LA Athletic Club. The LACC, which has been around since 1880 and is very exclusive and very private (read: high-end amenities galore, and some of the best sports facilities this side of training camp), also doubles as a hotel.
Los Angeles Hotels / Hostels / Hotel Promotions / → All Tags
Hotels Do the Weirdest Things To Get Press

It might look like a Pier 1 Imports display or a Pottery Barn catalog. But the bedroom window display in the Downtown Los Angeles with living, breathing people in it is a hotel. Or at least a peek of a new hotel/hostel hybrid.
That's right. Five actor/model/personalities will be living--on display--in two storefront model hotel rooms as part of new and hot Stay's "Stay in a Bubble" Promotion.
How do we know it's hot? Well, from the press release which included descriptors like youthful, high-energy, high-tech, simple, stylish, and inexpensive for the hip and spend-thrify traveler. Also, because they have a wacky marketing campaign. (This is also secret code for "decorated by Ikea.")

