Opened

Opened
by the Sydell Group (the team behind NYC favourite
The NoMad and
the funky Freehand hostel in Miami) in January 2014, you’ll find
The Line in the heart of
Koreatown, Los Angeles. The
building is a striking 12-storey, mid-century tower block and the
interior aesthetic has a similarly stark, industrial vibe with lots
of stripped-back concrete, while the capacious lobby features a
ceiling installation made from old T-shirts. The LA Times dubbed
Koreatown ‘America’s hippest neighbourhood’ back in 2012 – and it’s
only getting better.

Rooms

Rooms are minimal but stylishly furnished – a platform bed,
brightly upholstered chair, sleek desk and wall-mounted TV. The
best feature is the wall-to-wall window (and automated blackout
blind) from which you can enjoy fantastic views of the
Hollywood Hills. Bathrooms are similarly simple but provide
chic, customised toiletries, robes and (most importantly) a superb
shower.

What’s for breakfast?

Although not included in the price, breakfast at this hotel is an
absolute must. You may choose to grab a quick coffee and a freshly
baked bun from the cool café in the lobby, but it would be a crying
shame to miss out on Commissary, the hotel’s rooftop
restaurant.

A stunning spot next to the hotel’sswimming pool with extensive
cityscape views, the restaurant’s setting is a sort of greenhouse,
overrun with lush plants hanging from the walls and ceiling. You
can get a great slap-up brunch here (think po’boys and
breakfast burritos) complete with bottomless mimosas and bloody
marys.

What about lunch and dinner?

Chef Roy Choi (co-producer and inspiration behind the hit film
‘Chef’) is the primary talent at Korean-inspired POT, a popular
dining spot on the ground floor of The Line. Sparse decor and
booming gangster rap music accompany a menu of plates with names
like ‘sticky icky’ (scallop skewers) and ‘beep beep’ (spicy rice).
There’s plenty of meat to be had, with BBQ pork, hickory-smoked
duck breast and grilled steak all tempting options.

Is there a bar?

Continuing with the Korean theme, POT has a sleek lobby bar
which entices hoards of customers thanks to top cocktails and a
daily happy hour stretching from 2.30-8PM. If you’re itching for a
dance, The Line is also home to a secret 80s-themed bar and club,
Break Room 86. You have to leave the hotel and re-enter through a
side entrance – but it’s worth it when you’re be ushered down a
corridor and through a doorway masquerading as a vending machine.
Even if you’re not a ‘club’ person, it’s hard not to get excited –
as well as karaoke booths there are random live dance performances,
while the authentic retro decor is fab.

Amenities

The hotel lobby has a super-cool lifestyle boutique by design
firm Poketo, as well as the aforementioned café, bar and
restaurant. In addition to a stylish pool deck, the hotel offers
complimentary Saturday yoga for guests, and bicycles are available
for hire. There is also a business centre and gym.

Things you should know

The Line is rather geared up for raucous afternoons with friends
(which will no doubt continue late into the evening) so it might
not be the best choice if you’re looking for a relaxing
retreat.

Within a short walk you can find

Supposedly the only true 24-hr district in LA, there are
restaurants, karaoke bars and theatres aplenty in this
neighbourhood; other (daytime) attractions include Paramount
Studios and Griffith Park.