With a little grit and a little glamour, the pioneering transformation of the United Artists Theatre by the Ace Hotel group has turned a 13-storey, 1920s, gothic icon into a majestic contemporary hotel. Since opening shop, this old theatre - which once hosted the likes of Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin - has been restored to its former grandeur, original murals and intricate plasterwork included. Rooms start at "Medium" and range in size up to sprawling suites, but all are kitted out with Noguchi lamps, fibreboard furniture and the odd acoustic guitar. The hotel has two restaurants: Upstairs, a rooftop bar serving a fresh all-day menu beside the hotel's pool (note: a happy hour runs Tuesday-Friday, 3-6pm), and, on the ground floor, LOAM, another all-day spot, which serves tiptop breakfasts and LA-influenced dinners (think peri peri blue prawns, braised winter squash and caper-dressed kohlrabi).

The 148-key Downtown LA Proper sits in LA's South Park district. Interior guru Kelly Wearstler has cast her well-honed eye over the hotel, blending vintage pieces with modern lines and adding a sprinkling of Mexican, Spanish, Portuguese and Moroccan design into the mix (think tiled baths, warm, earthy colour use, and terracotta-potted cacti on the window sills). There's a trio of drinking and dining spots to choose from: the lobby's Caldo Verde, the ground-floor speakeasy, Dahlia, and - on the roof - Cara Cara. The latter's city views, strong pours and rooftop pool make it a firm favourite for a sundowner. The hotel also has a gym (perfect for jet-lag-induced midnight workouts) and complimentary bikes for heading out to explore the area.

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"Italian inspired. Los Angeles curated", goes the messaging at this Downtown address, a vast, 241-room hotel housed in the former building of the Bank of Italy on the appropriately named Olive Street. Bold and beautiful in looks, a la dolce vita influence imbues the design: it's all Italianate ceilings, Bellino linens, terrazzo shower floors, Murano-glass chandeliers, nearly enough marble to line the streets of Rome, and a verdant, vibrant restaurant, Per L'Ora, where we'd half expect to spot House of Gucci's Patrizia Reggiani lounging. There's a rooftop pool and cocktail spot, too, plus a coffee bar - and we love how the hotel has incorporated the community into the project. Over 4,000 commissioned artworks showcase lesser-known corners of the Downtown neighbourhood, and local food and drink brands can be found on the menus.

On the corner of 11th Street and Broadway, tucked between old-school theatres and cinemas, The Hoxton Downtown LA occupies a handsome 10-storey beaux-arts building that was formerly the HQ of Los Angeles Railway. The property's 174 bedrooms (grouped in "Snug", "Cosy", "Roomy" and "Biggy" sizes) are finished with wood-panelled walls and chevron flooring in the group's signature, European-influenced style. Retro phones, rattan headboards and local artwork on the walls complete the look. Communal spaces are The Hoxton's USP and they don't disappoint in the ninth iteration of the east London-based brand. On the roof (always the most popular place to hang in LA), you'll find Peruvian-inspired restaurant Cabra Los Angeles, as well as a pool that is open year-round. Downstairs, Café Basque, a nod to the south-west coast of France, is well suited to bon vivants.

When this hotel originally opened, nearly a century ago, it was commissioned as a "haven for professional women travellers" - a progressive MO at the time. Today, the restored Hotel Figueroa is an old favourite reborn. Reopened in 2018, the property maintains its old-school vibes, with 268 rooms and suites set over 14 floors showcasing contemporary Spanish design. The Parador Suite, complete with terrace, fully stocked wet bar and a spacious parlour, is a top choice. Other things to amuse and satiate you while here include a coffin-shaped pool and a pair of atmospheric bars, Bar Figueroa and Bar Alta. Feeling hungry? Head to Café Fig or Sparrow.

This is a purse-friendly Downtown stay that won't disappoint on the design side. Rooms are pared-back, light and airy, with a handful of well-curated little luxuries that set this Lucas Avenue hotel a cut above your typical budget booking. Rainfall showers, in-room hair straighteners and sleep sound machines come as standard. Free coffee and fresh pastries from LA-favourite Homeboy Bakery are served in the lobby between 7am and 11am daily (and they don't count the cups). On the move? You'll have free access to handy luggage lockers and there's space to park up and charge electric cars before hitting the road on an eco-charged west coast road trip.