Two lodges, double the enjoyable: My keep on the dual-branded AC and Moxy lodges in Downtown LA
Why have one when you possibly can have two? That appears to be the query for resort builders world wide. Increasingly nowadays, dual-branded lodges — primarily two completely different manufacturers sharing the identical constructing whereas providing two completely completely different resort experiences — are popping up.
One dual-branded resort in Los Angeles, although, has had this resort reporter’s consideration because it first opened just a few years in the past (and was featured on our listing of the perfect new lodges of 2023): AC Lodge Downtown Los Angeles and Moxy Downtown Los Angeles, housed in a 37-story constructing proper by the Los Angeles Conference Middle and Crypto.com Enviornment.
In complete, the double-feature, Yabu Pushelberg-designed lodges have 727 visitor rooms, 12 eating places, a whole ground devoted to eating and nightlife, and two distinct vibes catering to various kinds of vacationers.
I stayed the evening at each lodges and spent a Saturday evening working my method round Stage 8, the Las Vegas-like ground filled with eating places, bars and nightclubs. Here is what it is like — and why it’s best to contemplate staying at one (or each!) of those Marriott Bonvoy properties.
Associated: How I get good Marriott redemptions at AC Resorts within the US
How a lot the lodges value and e-book
Charges at each the Moxy Downtown Los Angeles and AC Lodge Downtown Los Angeles begin as little as $184 per evening or 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening.
Simply be aware that as a result of resort’s location close to the conference heart and Crypto.com area, these charges can fluctuate wildly as main occasions and concert events arrive.
What it is like staying on the Moxy Downtown Los Angeles
The vibe
Moxy is Marriott’s playful and sometimes inexpensive life-style model. Although Moxy has at all times been a bit of on the cheekier aspect, newer iterations are feeling extra grown up, considerate and classy — however with out dropping that youthful spirit that threads the lodges collectively. That is partly due to Lightstone, the event firm behind each the AC and Moxy in downtown LA, in addition to the New York areas which have an identical vibe.
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And that is partly why Moxy, as an entire, gained Finest Inexpensive Lodge model on the 2023 TPG Awards.
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Moxy Downtown Los Angeles was impressed by the 1969 movie “Straightforward Rider” and the spirit of Southern California. Upon coming into the foyer, I seen inexperienced succulents contrasted in opposition to concrete flooring and a large snake rug dominating the general public seating space the place folks frolicked or labored at giant tables. A motorbike with a sidecar was the star of many visitor pictures. The vibe felt distinctly cool, and I loved spending time within the foyer.
The room
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Moxy Downtown Los Angeles has 380 rooms, and although they arrive in just a few completely different configurations, all of them have an identical aesthetic and comparable options, like a design-forward tackle Moxy’s signature peg wall holding the TV and clothes hangers.
My room was a nook king overlooking the conference heart and measured in at about 267 sq. ft. The large, floor-to-ceiling home windows let in ample pure gentle and sheer and blackout curtains pulled again to dam it when crucial (like after a wild evening at Stage 8, however extra on that later).
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Although Moxy rooms are sometimes small, they provide good storage options, like under-bed storage and a number of locations to hold garments.
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Moxy lodges, basically, encourage people to get exterior of their room and spend time in social locations just like the foyer. So in the event you’re planning on working inside your room, know that the nightstand doubles as a small desk however there’s loads of nice coworking area downstairs.
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The lavatory area in my room, proper off the door, had a small vainness with a sink, towels and a number of mirrors. The lavatory and bathe every had their very own small, slender sections.
The hallways resulting in the rooms within the Moxy had enjoyable carpeting, form of mirroring an airport runway — however with a bit of alien-themed twist. This space additionally featured help-yourself amenity closets the place you possibly can seize further towels and different issues one would possibly want throughout a keep.
I cherished my nook king room. It was comfy, clear and really fashionable. And people floor-to-ceiling window views have been the icing on the cake.
Bar Moxy
Within the foyer, Bar Moxy is the place to hold. It is open for espresso, cocktails and meals at varied instances all through the day. I did not have the prospect to eat at Bar Moxy, however the menu included objects like a cheeseburger ($21), Thai glazed hen wings ($19) and a buffalo hen flatbread ($21). There have been varied cocktails, mocktails, beers and wine on supply right here, as properly.
Bluestone Lane
Connected to the Moxy foyer, Bluestone Lane, a preferred Australian espresso chain, is open from 6:30 a.m. till 2 p.m. It serves practically any sort of espresso you possibly can consider plus an all-day menu of bowls, toasts, sandwiches and burritos. Professional tip: scan the QR code in your room to order forward to skip the lengthy morning strains.
What it is like staying on the AC Lodge Downtown Los Angeles
The Vibe
Whereas Moxy’s foyer is situated simply off the road, checking into its modern sister resort requires a visit to a sky foyer up on the thirty fourth ground of the constructing accessed by way of a separate ground-level entrance, actually making it really feel like a completely separate resort. AC Resorts are sometimes design-forward, usually with that form of pared again, easy fashion that makes you say: “I want my home seemed like this.”
This resort isn’t any exception.
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All through the foyer, minimalist components like elegant potted bushes and rock sculptures have been an earthy but stylish reminder of California’s varied landscapes. To 1 aspect of the foyer, a library with communal seating stayed busy all through the day. The large wall of home windows additionally stayed crowded with company taking in sweeping views of the Metropolis of Angles.
The room
I stayed in a nook king room on the AC Lodge Downtown Los Angeles. Just like the foyer, the room was far more muted in shade and design in comparison with the neighboring Moxy (I noticed the 2 lodges have been really linked on each ground through a set of discrete double doorways within the hallways you’d most likely by no means assume to open).
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The room had a small sofa within the nook and a small, round desk.
Throughout from the mattress, a TV hung above a big desk with a chair, a lamp and a writing pad — a big departure from the structure of the extra social-minded Moxy.
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The lavatory space was additionally minimal, with the sink and mirror floating off to the aspect and, just like the Moxy, the bathe and bathroom divided into two rooms throughout from the vainness.
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This room additionally had a closet with cabinets and hanging area in addition to facilities all through like a protected, a primary espresso maker, a hairdryer and a steamer.
The room was comfy, stylish and environment friendly. I slept properly and loved the views of town from my giant home windows and, most of all, how Los Angeles seemed throughout a dramatic sundown.
AC Bar & Lounge
Open for breakfast, dinner and late evening drinks, AC Bar & Lounge serves the usual resort restaurant classics: Caesar salad ($16), a burger ($27) and a Spanish cobb salad ($28), alongside cocktails just like the resort’s signature gin & tonic ($19).
I wrongly assumed that this spot could be open all through the day, so I used to be disillusioned once I popped over round 11 a.m. on Sunday for meals and realized I might missed breakfast and the kitchen would not reopen till dinner.
La Lo La Rooftop
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My Sunday brunch various was La Lo La Rooftop, perched on the thirty fourth ground and (largely) open all through the day. When the solar is shining and the there are few clouds, the views alone are value a go to to the lounge-like area absolutely of tables, couches and a bar.
To eat, I stuffed up on a scrumptious California-style breakfast burrito ($22) and a easy Bloody Mary ($19). The avocado- and egg-stuffed burrito was scrumptious (and messy, naturally!), however consuming it from a sofa with these views actually made my day. Actually, I ended up spending chunk of my afternoon sipping margaritas ($18) and people-watching across the area.
Shared facilities
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Each lodges share an environment friendly and fairly giant gymnasium with loads of tools — and unbelievable views — excessive up within the resort.
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I additionally discovered a CVS merchandising machine on one ground that had practically something you would possibly want or have forgotten at residence, like toothpaste, painkillers and extra. There was additionally a microwave on this space, which could appear random however might be helpful for company.
Stage 8
Stage 8 must be seen to be believed. In full, the idea by the Houston Brothers (identified for LA scorching spots like Soiled Laundry and Break Room 86), has extra bars, eating places and experiences than one might probably attempt to go to in an evening — although I definitely tried.
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Absolutely taking over the eight ground, and with a personal entrance from the road, my expertise began with a cowboy-themed pool get together at Golden Hour (that includes a carousel bar with a pool deck).This set the tone for my Saturday evening, which concerned galavanting between bars and eating places on Stage 8, starting from a spritz and crispy tuna rice on the out of doors Mom of Pearl to South American-style seafood and cocktails at Que Barbaro and recent sushi at Fortunate Mizu.
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No matter you do, simply be sure to go to Sinners y Santos, which the lodges describe as “half ruined cathedral, half Lucha Libre ring.” Come for the cocktails and keep for the full-on wrestling ring that descends on prime of the bar to catch real-life Lucha Libre-style wrestling surrounded by bottle service, DJs and an entertaining combine of individuals coming and going all through the varied venues.
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One of the best tip I acquired, although, was to cease by the rooftop taco truck, open late into the evening, to seize mouthwatering tacos to take again to my room.
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If clubbing is not your factor, you may as well simply go to the eating places that open earlier than issues get too loopy. My Sunday dinner was at Maison Kasai, a French-meets-Japanese teppanyaki spot by Michelin-starred chef Joshua Gil the place you possibly can select from a tasting menu or order high-end steaks and seafood cooked proper in entrance of you. Whereas I very a lot loved all of my hearty steak, the true showstopper was a squash blossom appetizer.
Accessibility
Each lodges supply rooms ADA-compliant rooms, in addition to wheelchair entry to the general public areas, elevators and to most bars and eating places.
TPG at all times recommends calling the resort to verify accessible room sorts earlier than reserving and to make certain the resort can accommodate every visitor’s particular wants.
Trying out
Individuals would possibly let you know that Downtown Los Angeles is a blended bag — and it may be. However you probably will not remorse rooting a keep at both of those dynamic lodges. Whether or not you are in search of a classy foyer filled with hip creatives, like on the Moxy, or need an elevated, design-forward keep, because the AC provides, you will be comfy. And better of all, with Stage 8 and all of its leisure choices actually within the constructing, all you must do is hop on an elevator for an evening out you will always remember.
If I discover myself in DTLA once more, I will gladly rebook at both of the lodges in what’s arguably essentially the most distinctive dual-branded resort on the earth.
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