3 more hotels for a fun staycation in LA

Possibilities are endless, but here are a few I got to visit recently by the beach, in the city and with extended stay options.

Vacation or staycation, these LA hotels always have your back.

Hotel Indigo DTLA

Every hotel should have a muse, IMO. At Hotel Indigo in Downtown Los Angeles, it’s Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood. I love the subtle nods to her history, which aren’t necessarily obvious to the average hotel guest. Everything in this hotel is placed where it is for a reason, like the lobby bicycle art piece covered in flowers, which is representative of LA’s Fiesta de Las Flores, which Wong used to attend with her father. Then there are the hats on a rack that practically reaches the ceiling (also in the lobby). You might notice all are neutral colors except one red fedora, which is what Wong’s dad would wear at this flower festival and parade so his daughter could find him in the throngs of men.

Arches throughout the property represent tunnels and speakeasies of DTLA and the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and bar, 18 Social, was named after the 18th Amendment. The hotel’s location is great; it’s super walkable to shops and restaurants as well as nail and beauty salons. If you want to stay in, it’s got a little coffee shop and restaurant/bar in the lobby, as well. In city where the hotel rooms are usually cute but small, the rooms at Hotel Indigo are HUGE and this was a major highlight for me. I loved staying here and being able to spread out and unpack and work without feeling crowded or claustrophobic. Definitely helps that there are big windows offering plenty of sunlight and city views of DTLA.

Hotel Casa del Mar

Staying at Casa Del Mar has given me a new appreciation for Santa Monica. The area is super walkable and you can see the Santa Monica Pier from your room, which I loved.

My room was all white and blue, bright and airy with a big tub and separate shower. The pool has ocean views. There’s a gym here, too, if you want to workout at the hotel. I had an amazing dinner at the lobby restaurant, Terrazza, which aesthetically reminds me of Surfside or Miami or like an old Cuba, with tons of greenery throughout. Really enjoyed the gluten free and plant-based options at this restaurant. I’m not fully gluten free or vegan, but it’s nice to switch it up sometimes and go to bed feeling like you’re not going to explode. I would 100% stay here again; the hotel definitely has “grown up” vibes. It’s somewhere worth staying for a romantic weekend by the beach or with family or with your bestie, especially because it’s a Lyft ride away from the city and it’s also really close to Malibu and everything it has to offer (incredible ocean views, wine tasting rooms, Nobu, Soho Beach House and more).

I was lucky enough to check out Sea Wellness Spa on the property and was treated to a Signature MBR Facial during my stay. The facials are on the pricier side here (this one is listed at $300), but custom cleansing is tailored to your specific skin concerns and combined with a restorative mask and biodynamic Cranio-Facial Therapy. My technician was super thorough and even gave me some tips for lymphatic drainage and jade rolling techniques.

Level Hotels

Above Cognoscenti Coffee (coffee shop by day, natural wine bar by night) in DTLA you’ll find the South Olive location of Level Hotels & Furnished Suites. It’s important to note that there are three Level properties all within walking distance of each other in DTLA and they are each unique in their own way. I stayed in a unit on the 28th floor here with incredible city views — I don’t know if I’ve ever stayed in a hotel room or apartment that high up anywhere — that included one bedroom and full bathroom with a tub and shower plus a half bath at the entrance, a full kitchen, living and dining room, stacked washer and dryer, and even a spacious balcony. The W&D was such a big help considering I usually hotel hop so for anyone doing a multi-city trip or an extended stay, this is a huge perk. Bath products are Molton Brown and amenities alone make this a prime property for short or longer term stays.

You’ll find all amenities including an outdoor pool, a 24-hour gym with floor-to-ceiling windows, and a common area with coffee on the fourth floor. This Level location offers yoga daily (also on the amenities level) and Rooftop Cinema showings (with a popcorn stand, hot dogs, beer and all) on the weekends. Visitors who aren’t hotel guests can valet on the property on movie nights for $15 and need to get tickets to the show online ahead of time. One of the cool things about Level is that they offer city guides for their properties and I can tell a local writes them. The LA City Guide is on point so definitely take a peek whether you’re staying at Level, live somewhere in LA or are just visiting and maybe staying with friends or at another hotel.

The newest Level property is in Seattle and I’m excited to hopefully check it out and report back this summer. :)