Romance and cocktails downtown.
My bf and I will be celebrating a big anniversary this month (woo!) and I figured that instead of just doing a fancy dinner and drinks somewhere booking a romantic getaway in the city we love would be the way to go. So I’ve been looking for romantic hotel packages downtown. Why downtown? Because we really get a sense of Los Angeles there — the Historic Core, ice skating in Pershing Square and all those fab cocktail bars. But the thing is I can’t make up my mind of where to stay. The following hotels offer some great-sounding romance-themed packages but I’ve also got to consider what’s within walking distance (read: high heels walkable). Hmm, which to book?
Hilton Checkers’ Roses and Romance Package — $219+
- Friday and/or Saturday night stay
- Red rose and chilled champagne upon arrival in your room
- Dinner for two at the Checkers Downtown Restaurant (alcohol & gratuity excluded)
- Room service breakfast the following day for two
- Late check-out if available
Hilton Checkers’ rooftop deck was apparently featured on The Bachelorette (barf) so naturally it’s playing up that whole roses angle. Not a huge selling point for me but it might be for those with saccharine tendencies. In any case, this hotel is located next door to the Biltmore so there’s the ice skating rink at Pershing Square to reenact your favorite holiday romantic comedy. In terms of bars, Casey’s Irish Pub is down the street (0.1 mile) and Schmeven Schmand is a quarter-mile away.
Kyoto Grand Hotel’s Romance Is in the Air Package — $129+
- 2pm late checkout
- Chocolate-dipped strawberries and champagne
- Full American breakfast in bed for two delivered by room service
- Self parking
OK, this sounds pretty sweet. Nice touch with the chocolate-dipped strawberries with champagne and breakfast in bed. Bonus is the self parking since downtown is infamous for its crazy expensive parking garages. Not much within walking distance in terms of cocktailing, except the Edison (0.1 mile) and Far Bar, Bar 107 and Redwood Bar & Grill are about 0.3 mile away.
Millenium Biltmore’s Vintage Romance Package — $209+
- Bottle of champagne and rich, signature dessert in-room
- Full breakfast buffet at Smeraldi’s Restaurant
- Late checkout
The Biltmore has been voted the Most Romantic Hotel by LA Downtown News readers for two years in a row. Not much included in the romantic package but who can deny its historic charm? And ooo, is it haunted? After all it’s where the Black Dahlia was last spotted and there’s a specialty cocktail at the hotel’s Gallery Bar commemorating that. Like Hilton Checkers, bars within high heel clacking distance include Casey’s and Schmeven Schmand.
Omni Hotel’s Sweet Rendezvous Romance Package — $298+
- Domaine Chandon sparkling wine and gourmet truffles upon arrival
- Romantic turndown including lighting, music and robes
- Breakfast for two with signature morning cocktail (the Valentini) available in hotel restaurant or through room service
- Late check out available upon request (based on hotel availability)
- Receive an advance call from concierge to customize and make everything just about perfect
Really nice features in this package what with the morning cocktail available through room service to the sparkling wine and truffles and the phone call from the concierge to make sure everything is perfect. The only thing is that this hotel isn’t really within walking distance of any great bars. So you’d really have to cab it if you want to go out drinking.
Alternatives
Now these don’t have romantic packages but are closer to some of my favorite bars and activities.
Figueroa Hotel: I’ve always wanted to book a stay here ever since I fell in love with its beautiful poolside bar (terrible cocktails but awesome ambiance). It’s no sterile Ramada but rather possesses a Moroccan flair with warm colors and fabrics. Gorgeous. It’s down the street from L.A. Live so couples can go bowling at Lucky Strikes or take in a movie. But I especially love that it’s near Cana (0.1 mile), Bar & Kitchen (0.2 mile) and Rivera (0.2 mile). All stellar cocktail spots.
O Hotel: Judging just from the photos on the hotel’s Web site, the rooms are nicely decorated in a Gotham urban feel. Not Batman but old New York. Bonus is that Bar & Kitchen is just downstairs! Plus, Cana, Rivera and L.A. Live are down the street. There isn’t a romance package but an appealing Bed & Booze special where you get four drink chips to nearby bars. Not so awesome is the $12 mandatory fee which pays for the bottled water, in-room coffee, Internet, continental breakfast, etc. whether you use it or not.