Travel + Leisure announced this week the results of its 17th annual ‘It List’ with Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel recognized as one of 100 best new hotels in the world. Of these, the latest addition to Proper Hospitality’s growing portfolio is among only two Los Angeles-based properties.
Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel on Travel + Leisure 2022 ‘It List
Selected by Travel + Leisure editors, the 2022 ‘It List’ recognizes the 100 most unforgettable new and reimagined properties in 35 countries around the world. Over the past year, the editors sifted through hundreds of new and renovated properties across the globe, which were then narrowed to just 100 in total. Travel + Leisure’s 2022 It List is featured in the May issue of Travel + Leisure and at www.travelandleisure.com/it-list.
“We are thrilled to be acknowledged by Travel + Leisure as one of the best new hotels worldwide. Since opening our doors in October 2021, we have set out to be fiercely local and rooted within the community, so it is extremely rewarding to see that the property has gained international recognition from a leading travel and lifestyle publication”, says Stephane Lacroix, General Manager of Downtown L.A. Proper. “We look forward to continuing to provide unique spaces for locals and travelers alike to experience, while providing exceptional service to keep guests eager to come back and experience what Downtown L.A. and Downtown L.A. Proper have to offer.”
Set in a reimagined landmark building in the heart of Downtown’s South Park District adjacent to the Fashion District, the 147-room Downtown L.A. Proper showcases the vision of internationally acclaimed designer Kelly Wearstler through a design narrative that blends vintage elements from the property’s historic roots with modern influences to create a hub for local creatives and travelers alike.
Constructed by iconic Los Angeles architects Curlett & Beelman in the 1920s, the property was initially a private club whose members included luminaries such as Cecil B. DeMille, and was subsequently a YWCA in the 1960’s. The Kor Group, the LA-based real estate developer led by the visionaries behind Proper Hospitality, and Wearstler reimagine that storied history with a modern palette, drawing inspiration from Downtown L.A. to layer vestiges from the 1920s with elements of Spanish, Portuguese, Mexican and Moroccan design. In addition to vintage furniture and rugs, Wearstler employs more than 100 different kinds of hand-painted and custom tiles throughout the property, while site-specific murals and installations by local talents such as artists Abel Macias, Morgan Peck and Ben Medansky, along with stained glass by local fine arts studio Judson Studios, bring further dimension to the public spaces.
Deeply residential in feel, each of the rooms and suites is a canvas for curated pieces and specially designed furnishings with charcoal and mauve tones lending depth and warmth. Nodding to its former life as a YWCA, stand-out accommodations include the 1,300+ square foot Proper Basketball Court and 2,777 square foot Proper Pool Suite featuring a full-sized indoor swimming pool accented by a ceramic mural by local artist Ben Medansky. Signature Proper comforts and in-room amenities include Fili D’oro Fine Linens, Aesop bath amenities, Kelly Wearstler x Parachute Home robes, and modern conveniences such as Vifa speakers and HDTV streaming with Apple TV.
Also acting as a culinary destination, James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne of The Lucques Group (a.o.c., Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine, Larder Baking Company) oversee two (soon to be three) culinary experiences throughout the property. Lobby level restaurant & bar Caldo Verde, is poised to be a focal point within the hotel and neighborhood, showcasing Goin and Styne’s nuanced and warm approach to hospitality. Open for breakfast and dinner, the restaurant draws inspiration from Portuguese and Spanish influences, while finding expression through the lens of Southern California. Standout menu items include the namesake Caldo Verde with local rock crab, grilled linguiça, kale, mussels, potato, Beef Cheeks with avocado, green chile, crema, radish, Piri Piri Fried Chicken with french fries, arugula, and grilled lemon. Boutique, esoteric wines from small producers hailing from Spain, Portugal and California, along with an extensive list of cocktails and non-alcoholic libations make up the property’s thoughtful beverage program.
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The dynamic bar program is echoed across Cara Cara, the property’s rooftop restaurant and lounge offering sweeping and unobstructed city views. Goin’s all-day menu is similarly grounded in inspirations from sunny coasts around the world. Crafted to complement Downtown L.A. Proper’s unrivaled rooftop and poolside experience, dishes include piri piri fried chicken; vegan antipasto with smoked eggplant, beet purée, autumn vegetables and pine nut pistou; seasonal focaccias from the wood-fired oven; tacos; and rustic dishes such as arroz de mariscos. Later this winter, Proper Hospitality and Goin and Styne will introduce Dalia, an intimate ground level classic cocktail lounge and bar showcasing small-batch spirits in refined presentations.
Underscoring Proper Hospitality’s commitment to creating distinct gathering places for all occasions, Downtown L.A. Proper provides more than 14,000 square feet of spaces for meetings, weddings and special events and is home to diverse wellness programming including rooftop yoga and meditation, along with a 24/7 fitness center featuring Peloton bikes, Tonal equipment and more.
Located at the corner of South Broadway and West 11th Street within the South Park District adjacent to the Fashion District, the property is in close proximity to celebrated cultural venues such as the Cryto.com arena, L.A. Live, Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Music Center, MOCA, and The Broad Museum. With its opening, DTLA Proper aspires to be an epicenter of hospitality and cultural experiences within the community.
