Earlier this Spring, Manhattan’s beloved Nomad Hotel opened in Downtown Los Angeles. It isn’t exactly what you’d expect from a hotel in LA, though it fits in nicely amongst DTLA’s tall gothic buildings. Located on the corner of 7th and Olive Street, the Nomad Hotel’s arrival in DTLA is a sign the area is well on its way to reaching pinnacle rebirth. Downtown Los Angeles has long been referred to as a “destination” by locals who frequent the area for shopping, eating and drinking, and maybe an art gallery or two. It has old world charm comparable to New York and Chicago, albeit with less population density, and of course a little rougher on the edges.
There are few hospitality experiences quite as good as that of New York’s Nomad Hotel, which is probably why it is one of our favourite hotels in the city. Taking this knowledge, attention to detail and care that the hotel is famous for, the Sydell Group set their sights on Los Angeles. Designed by Jacques Garcia who also helped design the New York location, utilized the buildings original 1920’s Golden Era Los Angeles grandeur to his advantage. Originally built to be the opulent Bank of Italy headquarters, Garcia and team have redone the original gold and blue Italianate lobby and ceiling using it as the focal point of entry into the new hotel. Honouring the rich history of the building and the neighbourhood, The NoMad Downtown LA Hotel does an incredible job balancing the Neoclassical landmark and integrating it with a contemporary California design sensibility, giving it the much-desired luxe appeal that the NoMad NYC also has.
The Rooms
With the spacious and luxe rooms designed by French architect and designer Jacques Garcia, the 241 rooms and suites look to Italy for inspiration with a soft but rich colour palette drawn from the building’s fully restored, original gold and blue Italianate lobby ceiling. Every room features custom-designed furnishings including a king sized bed, original artwork curated by Paris-based design studio be-poles, Bellino linens, and large flat screen TVs. Each room also includes European-style bathrooms with Terrazzo-floored walk-in showers, and in some the ever-so-desirable freestanding pedestal bathtubs and separate washrooms. Y0u may find it so comfortable you may not end up leaving.
Food and Drink
Building upon the success and charm of the New York’s restaurant and bar program, Nomad’s Chef Daniel Humm and Restaurateur Will Guidara have put together a very L.A. vision of what dining is in DTLA. Taking inspiration from local ingredients and the vibrant pulsing culture and traditions of the city, the restaurants are refined and approachable. Featuring the walk-up Giannini bar, the appropriately named Restaurant located on the ground floor in the lobby, the beautifully designed Coffee Bar, and of course, a DTLA must, Rooftop Bar which features sweeping views of the skyline and has a pool, reserved for the hotels guest. With a world-class wine program and innovative yet distinguished cocktails.
Whether it is the attention to detail in the design and service of the hotel or the eye-catching opulence of the building as you enter there is something very appealing about the new Nomad Hotel Los Angeles. As regulars to LA, and DTLA in particular, this little oasis of excellence is one we can’t recommend highly enough. Next time you find yourself heading towards the City of Angels consider a stay in DTLA with the Nomad, you will not regret it.