Two hotels, double the fun: My stay at the dual-branded AC and Moxy hotels in Downtown LA

You can have two, so why do you have one? That seems to be a problem for hotel developers around the world. These days, two different brands have basically pop up, whilst offering two completely different hotel experiences while sharing the same building.

1 dual brand hotel Los AngelesHowever, since it first opened a few years ago, it has attracted the attention of this hotel reporter (and has been featured on our list). Best New Hotels of 2023): Downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles and Downtown Moxy Los Angeles are located in a 37-storey building just off the Los Angeles Convention Center and crypto.com arena.

In total, the hotel’s double feature, designed by Jabpuuchelberg, features 727 rooms, 12 restaurants, an entire floor dedicated to dining and nightlife, and two different atmospheres that cater to a wide range of travelers.

I spent the night at both hotels and spent Saturday nights working around level 8. Las Vegas– Something like a floor full of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. What is this like – and why you should consider staying with one of these (or both!) Marriott Bonvoy Properties.

Related: How to get Marriott redemption at AC hotels in the US

Prices in both downtown Los Angeles and downtown AC Hotel Los Angeles Marriott Bonboy Points per night.

Please note that depending on the location of hotels near the convention centre and crypto.com arena, these prices can fluctuate wildly as major events and concerts arrive.

What is it like staying at Moxie in downtown Los Angeles?

atmosphere

Moxy is Marriott’s playful, usually affordable lifestyle brand. The Moxy has always been a bit on the cheek side, but the new repetition feels more grown-up, thoughtful and stylish, but never loses the youthful spirit of lining up the hotel. This is thanks to Lightstone, the developer of both AC and Moxy in downtown LA, and a similarly-minded New York location.

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And this is partly why Moxy won overall 2023 TPG Award Best Allectional Hotel Brands.

Moxie’s Downtown Los Angeles was inspired by the 1969 film Easy Rider and the spirit of Southern California. Once inside the lobby, green succulents contrast with concrete floors, as opposed to the giant snake rug that controls the public seating area where you can play and work at large tables. The bike with the sidecar was the star of many guest photos. The atmosphere felt obviously cool and I enjoyed spending time in the lobby.

room

Downtown Moxie Los Angeles has 380 rooms and comes in several different configurations, but they all have similar aesthetic features and similar features, such as the design of the Moxy signature peg wall design, which holds a TV and clothing hangers.

My room was a corner king overlooking the convention center and measured approximately 267 square feet. The huge floor-to-ceiling windows have been brought back to pull back plenty of natural light and light and blackout curtains and block them if necessary (after a wild night at level 8, etc.) more in detail later.

Moxy rooms are usually small, but offer smart storage solutions, including under-floor storage and multiple locations for hanging clothes.

Generally, Moxy hotels encourage people to go outside their rooms and spend time in social places like the lobby. So if you plan to work inside the room, know that the nightstand doubles as a small desk, but there are plenty of coworking spaces downstairs.

The bathroom space in my room was right by the door and had a small vanity with a sink, towels and multiple mirrors. The bathroom and shower each had their own small, narrow sections.

The corridor leading to Moxy’s room enjoyed mirror carpets along the airport runway, but with a bit of alien-themed twist. The area also featured a help amenity closet where you can grab extra towels and other things you need during your stay.

I loved the Corner King Room. It was comfortable, clean and very stylish. And the views of those floor-to-ceiling windows were cake icing.

Vermoxie

In the lobby, the barmoxie is where you can hang. Coffee, cocktails and food are available at various times throughout the day. Although we didn’t get a chance to eat at Bar Moxy, the menu included items such as a cheeseburger ($21), Tigra feathered wings ($19), and Buffalo Chicken Flatbread ($21). There was also a variety of cocktails, mocktails, beer and wine.

Bluestone Lane

Bluestone Lane, a popular Australian coffee chain attached to the Moxy Lobby, is open from 6:30am to 2pm. Pro Tip: Scan the QR code in your room and order first to skip the morning line in advance.

What is it like staying at an AC hotel in downtown Los Angeles?

atmosphere

Moxy’s Lobby is just outside the street, but checking in to the refined sister hotel requires a trip to the empty lobby on the 34th floor of the building, accessed from another ground level entrance, which feels like a totally separate hotel. AC hotels are usually design forwards, and often say in such a shattered, easy style, “I wish it looked like my home.”

This hotel is no exception.

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Tanner Sanders/Point Guy

Throughout the lobby, minimalist elements like elegant potted trees and rock sculptures were rustic yet chic reminders of the various California landscapes. On one side of the lobby, the library with shared seating was busy all day. The huge walls of the windows also remained crowded with guests taking in a wide view of the city at the angle.

room

We stayed in the Corner King Room at AC Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Like the lobby, the rooms were much more muted in color and design compared to the adjacent moxies (I noticed that the two hotels were actually connected on all floors, via a set of individual double doors in the hallway that I think were probably not open).

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Tanner Sanders/Point Guy

The room had a small sofa and a small round table in the corner.

The TV across from the bed was hung on a large desk with chairs, lamps and lighting pads. This is a huge departure from a more social mind moxie layout.

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Tanner Sanders/Point Guy

The bathroom area was also minimal, with sinks and mirrors floating sideways, and like a moxie, the shower and toilet were split into two rooms across from the vanity.

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Tanner Sanders/Point Guy

This room had a closet with shelves and hanging space, amenities such as a safe coffee maker, hair dryer and steamer.

The room was comfortable, chic and efficient. I slept well and enjoyed the views of the city through the large windows. Above all, what did Los Angeles look like in the dramatic sunsets?

AC Bar & Lounge

Open for breakfast, dinner and late-night drinks, AC Bar & Lounge serves standard hotel restaurant classics along with cocktails like the hotel’s Signature Gin & Tonic ($19).

I had mistakenly assumed this place would be open all day, so when I ran out for food at 11am on a Sunday, missed breakfast and realized the kitchen wouldn’t reopen until dinner.

La La La Roof Top

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Tanner Sanders/Point Guy

My Sunday brunch alternative is sitting on the 34th floor and is open (almost) all day. When the sun is shining and there are very few clouds, only the view is worth visiting a completely lounge-like space of tables, sofas and bars.

To eat, I filled it with a delicious California style breakfast burrito ($22) and a smooth Bloody Mary ($19). The avocado and egg stuffed burritos were tasty (and messy, naturally!), but eating from the couch while taking in those views really made my day. In fact, I ended up spending a significant portion of watching people around the space, sipping my afternoon margarita ($18).

Level 8 must be considered believed. Completely, concept Houston Brothers (known for its La Hot Spots, such as Dirty Laundry and Break Room 86), there are more bars, restaurants and experiences than you would try to visit in one night.

Fully picked up the 8th floor and with a dedicated entrance from the street, my experience began with a cowboy-themed pool party during Golden Hour (featuring a carousel bar with pool deck). Lucky Miz Sushi.

Whatever you do, the hotel should visit the sinner Y. Santos, known as the “Lucia Libre Ring, a cathedral that has been ruined in part.” Enjoy a cocktail. Stay in a full wrestling ring down onto the bar to catch an actual luchaliable style wrestling surrounded by a fun mix of bottle services, DJs and people coming and going to various venues.

But the best tip I got was to stop by a rooftop taco truck that was open late into the night, grab some delicious tacos and go back to my room.

If the club isn’t yours, you can also visit open restaurants before things go crazy. My Sunday dinner was held at Maison Kasai, a French Mitz Apanas Tippanaki spot by Michelin star chef Joshua Gill. I really enjoyed everything about the hearty steak, but the real shortper was the squash blossom appetizer.