Photo Credit: Marriott Int'l.
A 37-floor, dual-branded hotel tower debuted this week in downtown Los Angeles. The Moxy and AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, both of which are flags owned by Marriott International, offer a combined 727 guest rooms, 12 dining and entertainment venues, and 13,000 square feet of meeting space. The property is directly across from the Los Angeles Convention Center and the Crypto.com Arena.
By co-locating the Moxy and AC Hotel brands, Marriott and the property's owners aim to reach a wider demographic — including both the younger "digital nomads" typically drawn to the Moxy brand and the business-traveler populace that AC attracts. The Moxy's 380 rooms are smaller but smartly designed, while the 347 rooms in the AC Hotel promise a more elevated, residential experience, complemented by the signature AC Lounge and AC Kitchen available at all of the brand's properties.
"Guests can take advantage of extra amenities, such as the AC Lounge for co-working during the day, while having more whimsical social options with Moxy in the evening," noted Matthew Boettcher, Marriott International's vice president and global brand leader of Distinctive Select Brands.
Entertainment and F&B
A multivenue dining and entertainment concept called Level 8 will be opening on-site later this spring, with eight distinct venues covering 30,000 square feet on the building's eighth floor. The project, developed by popular local hospitality veterans Mark and Jonnie Houston, is meant to be a showcase for the city's diverse cultures and culinary talent. Featured venues will include the South American grill Qué Barbaro, which will open onto the poolside dining and carousel bar Golden Hour; French-Japanese teppanyaki restaurant Maison Kasai; the traditional seiro mushi and hot pot dishes of Lucky Mizu; the cathedral-inspired nightclub Sinners y Santos; al fresco oyster and ceviche bar Mother of Pearl; and the Brown Sheep Taqueria on the terrace.
The building itself, designed by architecture firm Gensler, is meant to draw attention in the burgeoning neighborhood. The dual brands are in an L-shaped tower — one brand's guest rooms in each part of that 'L' — built atop an eight-story podium. That podium is wrapped in a 15,000-square-foot LED screen, while interiors were created by hospitality designer Yabu Pushelberg.
Among the many F&B venues at the Moxy are the Bar Moxy, an energetic lobby bar and all-day cafe, and the Bluestone Lane Coffee Shop, offering Aussie-inspired coffee and light bites just off the lobby.
The AC Hotel's 34th-floor AC Bar & Lounge specializes in Mediterranean small plates and artisanal cocktails, and also is home to the hotel's signature breakfast buffet. The property's La Lo La Rooftop, also on the 34th floor, provides outdoor seating with spectacular views and a menu that focuses on Spanish-style tapas.
Meeting and Event Space
The seventh-floor meeting space embraces a unique concept: It was envisioned as the former headquarters of a fictional furniture factory. The Main Events Space, which can accommodate up to 600 people, is modeled on a vintage factory floor, surrounded by 16-foot panels of steel and frosted glass that are backlit to resemble exterior walls lit by natural light. The lighting can simulate different times of day over the course of the event.
Two boardrooms are also available on the seventh floor. In the Moxy tower, two glass-walled studios that overlook the bar can be reserved for groups, and can be combined into one larger space.