Simply Delightful – Conrad Los Angeles Highlights

Conrad Los Angeles Highlights

Traveling to the west coast is equally fulfilling and time-consuming for me.  While there, I catch myself thinking of how much more I’d like to visit, while also knowing how impractical that would be.  Therefore, on the infrequent occasions I do make it out that way, I look for a mixture of new and old experiences to make the trip even more “worth it.”  And so it is with my most recent jaunt out west.  I opted for an early arrival for several reasons, including a bit of Los Angeles before the MtM Diamond meetup in Long Beach over the weekend.  Tops on my list was a long overdue stay at the Conrad Los Angeles – perhaps not the most noteworthy Hilton property in the region, but now definitely my new favorite.  Here some highlights from my experience.

A Stellar Location…

…is among the positives here, particularly for certain types.  Of course, many with business in downtown LA will find the property convenient.  But as an architecture (and music) fan, I couldn’t wait to return to the area.  The Walt Disney Concert Hall is directly across the street from the Conrad.  Already over 20 years old, the distinctive structure was designed by famous architect Frank Gehry.  I enjoyed the free self-guided tour, regularly available to all.  Gehry also designed the Conrad Los Angeles, as well.

I took in a few sights in the immediate vicinity by foot, including the Los Angeles Public Library and a gearhead visit to the Westin Bonaventure.  Art galleries like the Museum of Contemporary Art and The Broad are even closer to the Conrad but must wait for my next, longer visit.  The one-fifth-mile walk to the Grande Ave Arts/Beacon Hill metro stop took me less than five minutes.

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A High-Performance Room

I absolutely loved my room on the 23rd floor overlooking the Disney Concert Hall.  I used a Hilton free night certificate, what I consider the best FNC out there, to book the stay.  Alternatively, a reward was 70k Hilton Honors points; cash rates started in the $500 neighborhood for the night.  The $39.90 destination fee is avoidable by using a cert or entirely booking with points.  As a Hilton Honors Diamond member, I was upgraded from a Deluxe One King to a Premium View One King room.  Beyond the view and floor assignment, this upgraded room was otherwise-identical to the base room, but the glorious sights from this room were more than enough for me.

As I entered, I was struck by the excellent bathroom.  The area is split into three – the vanity, shower, and powder room.  The impeccably-designed space offers a sliding partition between the bathroom vanity and main space.  The shower has three different options – rainfall, traditional, and handheld.  Water pressure was impressive for all settings.  I enjoyed fully-functional buttons controlling all lighting and blackout curtains.  The room holds no proper desk, but an oval table complementsthe comfy sectional and is just the right height for using a laptop or leisurely snacking.  The television interface is very responsive and also includes a variety of music options.  The bed’s luxurious feel is heightened by thoughtful turndown service.

In my view, the room’s only weakness is the open wardrobe – I prefer doors on closets.  Exposed wardrobes just feel a bit chintzy to me.  But that’s what many properties at a variety of levels are offering these days, so I can’t necessarily single out the Conrad here.

Food and Beverage Highlights

Evening

I opted to lounge at The Beaudry Room during twilight, the Conrad’s dedicated bar just beyond the property’s small lobby.  The bar was already buzzing when I arrived, and I had a feeling why.  The space’s gorgeous exterior views from three sides are more than enough to justify the high drink prices.  No seats were available at the bar itself, but I didn’t mind.  I wanted to sit on the bar’s porch overlooking the Disney Concert Hall, anyway.  I started out as the only one out there in the brisk, low-50’s early evening.  Sidling up next to the gas fireplace, I immediately took in the views of the hall and soft skies beyond.  The fireplace inexplicably cutting off and on (my waitress said that this always happens) didn’t bother me as much as it should have.

Morning

Breakfast is served in San Laurel, Conrad’s main restaurant in partnership with Jose Andres.  The large restaurant offers a variety of indoor and outdoor seating in the dining room and bar area with a kitchen all can see.  Guests have views of the Disney Concert Hall and its neighbor, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.  The hostess seated me in the snug center of the restaurant, where diners pack in quite closely.  She originally placed me immediately next to a solo guest loudly talking on the phone.   I requested an alternative and, she seated me on the other side.   But this was practically just as close as my original assignment.  I got over it.

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That’s primarily because the breakfast was delightful.  I generally opt for a restaurant’s traditional breakfast on my first visit and didn’t change the pattern here.  The $24 offering included my choice of eggs, breakfast meat, toast, and potatoes.  I went for my usual over-medium eggs and opted for the pork sausage, which came recommended from my waiter.  He nailed it.  The distinctive, smoky sausage was as satisfying as it was filling.  I considered finishing one of the two links a success.  I opted for the $5 bottomless coffee, both in restaurant and for takeaway.  As typical with many hotel joints, the outlier here is the expensive juice selection – OJ is $12.  Based on all the other fare, I’m confident their juices are great, though.

Conrad Los Angeles Highlights – Conclusion

I’m just hitting the most noteworthy highlights today.  The gym was airy and perfect for what I enjoy – treadmills with a functional TV option and just enough weights.  I sat by the outdoor pool on the 10th floor for about 20 minutes, wishing I had more time at the property.  But I’m confident that’ll be the case.

I plan to return to the Conrad Los Angeles, maybe even if it’s not the most convenient hotel for what I want to accomplish (although the art galleries next door are on my list).  Service was attentive throughout my stay.  The unexpected service highlight – my waitress randomly, thoughtfully offered me a blanket outside while visiting The Beaudry Room (I accepted).

After visiting this Hilton property, I thought of another one not too far away.  When it comes to standard award rates, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is drastically overpriced around 120k points nightly, while the Conrad is underpriced at 70k nightly, in my view.  Regardless, I used certs at each, so those points rates don’t matter.  Plus, of course, this is just my opinion, and others may get much more out of that WA than I did.  But again, there’s no question I’ll be back to the Conrad Los Angeles, whether I’m using certs or points.

Have you visited the Conrad Los Angeles?  How was your stay?

Disclosure: Miles to Memories has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Miles to Memories and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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