Hotel Figueroa

Great place for a photo shoot but you might want t

Good staff, lovely old building, great access to convention center

For $256/night, my room badly needed an update. There were only 2 power outlets - One shared between the TV and the AC and the other was inaccessible behind the bed. This just doesn't cut it in today's day and age, esp for a hotel that at least partially caters to the convention crowd. In addition, the bathroom was tiny and the shower was so narrow that I had to bathe sideways (2.5 feet, I measured.) Plus, there was nowhere in the shower to put items aside from the floor, no soap tray, nothing. I won't be staying here again. I knew it wasn't going to be the Ritz, but this was a tad too far into the 60s for me.

Character, Not Luxury

Great atmosphere from the moment you walk inside. Tall ceilings with exotic decor. Lots of character. Tall, beautiful cactus trees outside by a pool that opens at 7am and has a DJ at night. Room is decent -- old-school but memorable. Moroccan style design with lots of mystical colors. No coffee maker or any of that, but they get a pass for being interesting. I paid 250USD a night but that's a bit much. For 150-180USD this would be a good deal. Good location, though there are some sketchy characters / homeless hanging around at night (definitely did not feel dangerous though). Staff was great. Polite and helpful. Subway is just a few blocks away. Overall a good base if you're staying in DTLA, IF you can get the room for around 150USD.

The bad. They don't use keycards for the elevator or door. As mentioned, there are some sketchy characters outside, and there's lots of people coming inside for the pool parties at night. Anyone could just take the elevator upstairs and potentially kick a door down. Locks seemed kinda weak. No safe in the room, but they have 'em downstairs. Late checkout was 12.30pm and that's pretty BS. Stayed on the 8th floor so sound wasn't a problem, but if you're a light sleeper, don't stay on the lower floors. If you're looking for a sterile place to stay with grandma and the kids, this is not it -- better go with a chain like Hilton or Ritz. But if grandma used to be a hippie and you're fairly open, it's great.