02 September, 2016
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
