With international travel still proving to be a bit daunting as we kick off the new year, we’ve been on the hunt for L.A. staycations that provide us with the food and design experiences we crave.
Thankfully, a new location of the Proper Hotel has entered the chat, providing a worthy homebase for a weekend ‘away’ in Downtown L.A. Here’s everything you need to know to nestle in for a soul-stimulating weekend downtown…
Arrive at night | If the timing is right, check-in to the Proper Hotel after dark. That way you’ll fully experience the DTLA magic that is the hotel’s two-story tall marquee — an electric jolt of old Hollywood glamour that’ll start your downtown experience on the right foot.
Haunt the lobby | The Proper’s artful lobby is worth a visit in and of itself. Though tiny, the jewelbox of a space has been packed with more style than a Jacquemus micro handbag.
Abel Macias Studio was commissioned to create the jaw-dropping oversized mural, hand-painted along the full length of the lobby’s original vaulted ceiling. Impossible to capture in photographs and best ogled after a nightcap at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Caldo Verde.
Ogle the art | The Proper was imagined by L.A. design god, Kelly Wearstler whose gritty, yet whimsical take on interiors is something to be experienced. Design surprises of all textures and shapes hide in plain sight for those with an eye for detail. Sculptural plants, unusual colors and a world of unexpected furniture make the hotels’ restaurants feel more like art museums, than eateries.
Housed in an updated and reimagined 1920s California Renaissance Revival landmark building, DTLA Proper’s design is inspired by Mexican modernism, blended with elements from France and Morocco with vestiges of its 1920s-era history.
Dine like an Angeleno | Kelly is joined by two other L.A. legends at the DTLA Proper, the James Beard award-winning team, Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne. Goin and Styne are the culinary partners behind legendary L.A. haunts like Lucques, Tavern, AOC and The Larder.
For dinner, make reservations at Caldo Verde just off the lobby. Caldo offers “Portuguese flavors and old California sensibilities”, market-driven cocktails, an organic, natural and sustainable wine list and a dining room with such a stunning mix of historical architecture and modern furnishings you barely need a dinner date to entertain you.
Hit the roof | The property’s second restaurant, Cara Cara is nested into tiers of cozy seating on The Proper’s roof. Epic views, a communal fireplace and pool, make Cara Cara one of our all-time top picks for DTLA experiences. Head up in the morning and plan to spend most of the day, whether it’s lingering over brunch or sitting poolside.
See the city from bed | Enjoy the L.A. skyline for the comfort of bed in one of the Proper’s rooms or suites. We love that this hotel group always preserves the historical integrity of it’s spaces and DTLA is no exception. Modern amenities like a well-curated minibar greet you for a stay that can be as private as you like, if you choose to skip a jaunt out in the urban jungle.
Hit the streets. | The Proper is located in the Fashion District on Broadway surrounded by Deco architecture, fashion showrooms, and high-end dining. Some of L.A.’s best venues — the Staples Center, L.A. Live, Walt Disney Concert Hall, MOCA and The Broad Museum — are all just a short walk or Uber away. As with most urban epicenters, be sure you know exactly where you’re going when you venture out. We recommend checking out the offerings at The Broad and Disney Hall to plan a full art itinerary to scratch that cultural travel itch.
