July 2020 City Snapshot: Downtown Los Angeles

Each month we pick one of our favorite #DynamoDestinations that should be on your map for hosting conferences, meetings & events. Plus, we’ll reveal our top venue picks in the same 5 corporate event categories for each destination so that when you’re in a pinch and need to find the very best picks right now in a given city, you’ve got the Dynamo-approved go-to’s.

Downtown Los Angeles, California – Our July 2020 Feature

We’re super excited to be talking about Downtown Los Angeles for this month’s City Snapshot (…or more commonly referred to as DTLA)!

With its unique combination of old and new, Downtown LA is a unique cultural hub you won’t find anywhere else on the West Coast. It’s the central business district for Los Angeles, California, and a place where skyscrapers rub shoulders with historical buildings and museums share street addresses with theaters. It’s filled with trendy restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions, like fun art walks and street festivals.

We always recommend new visitors start their DTLA stay by checking out the Grand Central Market. It’s a historic indoor/outdoor venue that’s been serving the community for well over a hundred years. Oh, and if you’re hungry – this is the place to find some of LA’s finest street food!

If a cultural trip is up your alley, we also recommend heading over to Little Tokyo. It’s a fantastic mini-destination within the DTLA vicinity, loaded with markets selling authentic Japanese produce. We love the neat little terrace, strung with lanterns throughout. For a moment, we swear you’ll forget you’re in L.A.!

And, for all our music lovers out there, we recommend hitting the Grammy Museum or the Music Center – where you’ll be sure to get your dose of music history, inspiration, and live performances.

If you think all of this sounds nice, wait until you read about some of our favorite DTLA hotels and venues!

1. User Conference

JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live

Chain: Marriott International Hotels
Brand: JW Marriott
Total meeting space: 134,000 + sq ft total event space
Guest rooms: 878
Nearest airport: Los Angeles International Airport, LAX (About a 20-25 minute drive)

Why we love it:

With over 100,000 sq. ft. of easily accessible and flexible meeting and event space, the JW Marriott Los Angeles is perfect for your next User Conference. It’s located in the heart of L.A. LIVE, an entertainment district filled with bars, concert theaters, restaurants, and a whole lot more.

With 3 ballrooms and 35 breakout spaces, the event opportunities are endless. We recommend having your Welcome Reception in their Olympic Meeting Rooms. It features stunning city views, a one-of-a-kind backdrop, modern amenities, and a vibrant atmosphere – sure to get any Welcome cocktail started on the right foot!

Depending on your space needs, opt for any of their three exquisite ballrooms for General Sessions (i.e., the Platinum, the Diamond, and the Gold). All of them are modern, colorful, and stylish. We also happen to think the Platinum Ballroom Foyer is perfectly situated for a registration and networking flow.

For your meals, take a look at their stunning Diamond Ballroom.

2. Sales Kickoff

Sheraton Grand Los Angeles

Chain: Marriott International Hotels
Brand: Sheraton
Total meeting space: 30,000 sq ft of total event space
Guest rooms: 496
Nearest airport: Los Angeles International Airport, LAX (About a 20-25 minute drive)

Why we love it:

After undergoing a $75 million renovation in 2016, the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles is nothing but stylish. It’s perfectly located in the heart of the downtown business district, only 4 blocks away from L.A. LIVE, the Los Angeles Convention Center, and the Staples Center.

And, with all of their venue offerings, it’s one of the best destinations for your next Sales Kickoff! Their modern 10,000 sq. ft. California Ballroom is great for your General Sessions and meals. We love how the space can easily be broken up into 6 smaller rooms and also includes up to 16 breakout spaces, all with varying sizes. For meals, nearly everything is customizable, making it really easy to satisfy every one of your client’s needs!

Finally, we can’t move on to our next venue without mentioning the Sheraton’s stunning Deck! With a large fire pit, chic cocktail tables, and lush greenery, it’s perfect for a cocktail evening. Did we mention that it can hold up to 275 people (reception style), and boasts beautiful private cabanas? Well, now we did.

3. Executive Summit

The Ritz Carlton Los Angeles

Chain: Marriott International Hotels
Brand: Ritz Carlton
Total meeting space: 77,000+ sq ft of total event space
Guest rooms: 123
Nearest airport: ‎Los Angeles International Airport, LAX (About a 20-25 minute drive)

Why we love it:

With well over 100,000 sq. ft. of modern event space, the largest spa in the DTLA area, and 5-star amenities, The Ritz Carlton Los Angeles is perfectly set up for your next Executive Summit! It’s located in the heart of L.A. LIVE and boasts some of the finest dining experiences in the area to prove it. Head to the 24th floor for WP24 by Wolfgang Puck for a celebrity chef-driven night out with a stunning skyline view.

If you’re looking to relax, retreat to their sophisticated spa, where you’ll be greeted with a glass of champagne and luxurious treatments.

With 3 ballrooms and 40 meeting rooms, accommodating any size, we recommend hosting your General Sessions in their Platinum, Diamond, or Gold ballroom. They can all be broken down into smaller breakout sessions!

4. Road Show

Hotel Figueroa

Chain: Independent
Brand: Hotel Figueroa
Total meeting space: 10,000 sq ft of total event space
Guest rooms: 268
Nearest airport: Los Angeles International Airport, LAX (About a 20-25 minute drive)

Why we love it:

Nearly a century old, the Hotel Figueroa was originally built as a women’s business hotel – an incredibly progressive concept back in 1926. And, although many changes have been made since it’s first opening, they’ve stayed true to their roots as a place for creative minds and forward thinkers.

The hotel was restored back in 2018, to its original Spanish Meditteranean look with a unique guest experience, steeped in rich history, character, and culture.

Their iconic 2,100 sq. ft. space, Gran Sala, has 15-foot French glass doors and charming Spanish Colonial architectural details. It’s absolutely perfect for your General Sessions, offering a variety of space configurations and fitting up to 150 guests.

Speaking of guests, we think they’ll love the details of the arched windows, ironwork chandeliers, and original limestone fireplace. The skylight will fill the room with natural light and the French doors can even open up to the pool deck for a glorious LA backdrop.

For a group cocktail hour or Welcome reception enjoy the Terrazza (another one of their stunning spaces). At 1,600 sq. ft., it can accommodate up to 100 guests and features an open-air terrace that’s connected to their Parador and Cabana Suites. The spot also has an iconic contemporary coffin-shaped pool, beautiful Spanish terracotta tile, and spectacular views of Downtown Los Angeles. Win, win, and win.

5. Incentive

Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown

Chain: IHG
Brand: Intercontinental DTLA
Total meeting space: 68,000 sq ft of total event space
Guest rooms: 889
Nearest airport: Los Angeles International Airport, LAX (About a 20-25 minute drive)

Why we love it:

Last, but certainly not least, is the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown for your next Incentive if you know your group would love an urban incentive destination, rather than the typical beachy escape.

Opened in 2017, this venue is known for being the tallest building on the West Coast and the 8th tallest in the U.S.! It features ample office and retail spaces, 6 onsite dining options, and a 360-degree view of the city.

Which brings us to the guest rooms. Each one is designed to make visitors feel completely pampered. Don’t believe us? Check out their marble bathrooms, luxurious bath products, and views of the skyline as you soak the day away. From the outdoor pool, fire pits, multitude of restaurants and bars, a fitness center with sauna and steam rooms, valet parking and concierge service, the hotel truly embodies what it means to live an InterContinental life!

When it comes to meeting spaces, the Intercontinental features 33 venues including the Wilshire Grand Ballroom and Hollywood Ballroom – both of which come with panoramic views of Los Angeles. If you’re looking for an outdoor social gathering, take your guests to the 7th-floor Podium Pool Deck or the 70th floor Sky Lobby for a spectacular view.

Which city would you like us to cover next? Send us a message to let us know!

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