Standing elegantly amongst Los Angeles’ iconic skyline is the 73-story Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles, the tallest building west of Chicago. Situated at the heart of Downtown Los Angeles’ historic, entertainment, financial, arts and sports districts, it stands 1,100 feet above street level. It’s extravagant height is an anomaly for the West Coast but soaring high into the sky, this hotel has become an attraction in itself. The views will stay with you forever, breathtakingly panoramic, especially at sunset.
High-speed double-decker elevators provide a 40-second ride to the Sky Lobby on the 70th floor sky lobby, remember not to trip over your tongue as you are met with those iconic 360 degree views. From here you can see as far as Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, the San Gabriel Mountains and even the Hollywood sign.
The hotel has 889 rooms, from floors 31 to 68 but you would never know it. Everything is run like clockwork, there are no queues for anything, no matter how busy the hotel staff will make you feel like you are the only guest there.
To make the most of the views, ask for a room that faces west and of course the higher the floor the better for truly stunning panoramic views. The rooms are cool and contemporary, decorated in aqua and greys. Stay in the Hospitality Suites, among the most spacious available and offer every convenience of a home away from home. These suites are designed for entertaining with a dining and lounge area and a wet-bar refrigerator. The bathroom is stocked with luxurious Le Labo toiletries, that are personalised with your name.
It is also worth booking Club rooms and suites which are located on the upper floors of the hotel. They offer an array of exclusive additions, such as check-in and checkout privileges, complimentary internet, free local phone calls, pressing for two garments and most importantly, exclusive access to Club InterContinental which is located on the 70th floor. Club InterContinental also offers incredible views, especially the opportunity to spot all of the helipads below.
The jewel in the InterContinental Downtown Los Angeles’ crown is without doubt La Boucherie, an American steakhouse with Parisian flare located on the 71st floor. It is without a shadow of a doubt, one of the finest restaurants you will ever have the pleasure of eating at, seriously.
At La Boucherie, every element of fine dining has been elevated to stratospheric proportions. Sink into one of the decadent Starlight Booths, watch the lights of Los Angeles flicker like fireflies and peruse the Wine Spectator award-winning wine list featuring 1,200 different types.
The menu is a decadent feast of reimagined dishes, premium steaks and first class seafood sourced from around the world. The restaurant has a cheese cave and an incredible charcuterie atelier. There is also an extraordinary Caviar & Vodka Tasting featuring three selections of Petrossian caviar and Beluga vodka.
There is even a selection of fine knives to choose from to complete your steak experience and a vast choice of mustards, from lavender to truffle. There is also a diverse selection of salts to enhance your meal, highlights include; Himalayan Pink, Cyprus Black Lava and Sicillian sea salt.
The table-side Cheese & Charcuterie service is spectacular and worth the visit alone. Try the chef’s selection of rare and limited domestic and imported cheese and cured meats, served with spiced nuts, local fruit preserves, artisan bread and extraordinary fresh honeycomb.
Start with the Maine Lobster Salad with stone ground mustard aioli, yuzu, tarragon consomme and ossetra caviar or the exceptional Cigar Box Tartare featuring filet mignon with bacon ash, ahi with nori, avocado and matcha ash.
For the entree, the Mottainai Lamb Wagyu rack is exquisite with herbs de provence, pomegranate glacé, toasted couscous, romanesco and herbed pesto. However, you simply cannot come to La Boucherie and not try the incredible steaks. The Tomahawk Cut with truffle bearnaise is a showstopper, carved tableside and melts in the mouth. The 42 Day Dry-Aged Ribeye is also delicious, add lobster tail and seasonal truffle to make it extraordinary. For sides, try the Purple Duck Fat Fries sprinkled with thyme and smoked sea salt and Braised Greens with wild spinach and dandelion greens.
For dessert, try the decadent Molten Chocolate Cake with hazelnut crunchy chocolate and blueberry and chocolate ice-cream or the Mousse au Chocolat which is rum flamed table-side and made from a light flourless chocolate cake and salted caramel ice cream.
The InterContinental Downtown Los Angeles’ has a treasure trove of outstanding restaurants. If you fancy something a little more relaxed, head to Dekkadance on the 69th floor for an international farm-to-fork dining experience. The menu stars globally-inspired entrees which change daily, as well as carving stations, brick oven-fired pizzas, fresh seafood and desserts made in-house. It’s Sky – View Buffet’s are becoming a local legend, especially the Nightly Dinner Buffet and the Sparkling Sunday Brunch Buffet which features endless mimosas, bellinis and kir royales.
Also on the 69th floor is Sora, an intimate sushi and omakase restaurant that offers a refined menu of fresh-cut sushi and dishes that are presented on a spectacular sky-view conveyor belt with casual bar seating. For a more discreet experience, sink into one of the elegant secluded booths and tuck into the famous bento box lunch specials accompanied by a fine Japanese whiskey.
The InterContinental Downtown Los Angeles’ crowning glory is Spire 73, the tallest open-air bar on the entire Western Hemisphere. It is located at the top of the tower on the 73rd floor, offering 360-degree views and attracting some of the most elite guests in the city. The rooftop lounge is painfully cool and romantic with roaring open fire pits, a vast selection of whiskey and signature cocktails. Try Orion’s Paloma, an intoxicating concoction of casa noble reposado, del maguey mezcal, soho lychee liqueur, aperol and grapefruit juice or the Dorian Grey, made with junipero gin, lime, pineapple, tarragon, passion fruit and rhubarb.
Spire 73 has completely elevated bar food with exceptional offerings like the iconic Carnitas Fries topped with green chilli pork, queso fresco, pickled red onions, habanero cream, chicharrones and micro cilantro. The Spire Burger is also worth a mention, with a house-blend beef patty, bacon, beer cheese, smashed avocado, house-made bbq sauce and crispy onions.
For those with a sweet tooth, the Tableside S’mores made with marshmallow, honey graham cracker and milk chocolate are a delight, as are the perfect Churros made in-house with a rich salted caramel dipping sauce.
The Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles is without doubt one of the best hotels, not only in Los Angeles but across the world. Not only does L.A have a new rising star, a new global icon has been born.
@intercontinentaldtla
900 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017, USA
