Hotel Figueroa

by Dennis R.

My friend is leaving town, maybe for good, so she decided to have a last get-together at the Hotel Fig, Downtown. The place is kitty-corner from the obnoxiously bright LA Live, on the bottom floor of the once exquisite Hotel Figueroa. This place has a flair of the old Downtown, the good Downtown, where a man's word still meant something.I went down the tiled hallway, past the reception and the phone booths, to the bar and the pool, surrounded by tables and plump with mellow candlelight and hushed conversations. The decor: confused mixture of Moroccan and Latin American styles. I took it in. The place was a refreshingly down-tempo oasis in my hectic, penniless world. The world of a Private Eye.If revolutionaries in authentic vintage were planning an overthrow of Vichy Los Angeles from the relative safety of far-off Casablanca, this is where they would sip vodka tonics and idly ruminate about their ideals. And if Zapata and his generals wanted to celebrate a hard fought day of agrarian reform, they would surely enjoy their mojitos poolside.I met her at the bar. We ordered drinks, took a seat at a table by the water, and dined slowly on chips and salsa. The crowd was on the older-than-me side, and people mostly kept to themselves: whispering, plotting. But we didn't care. This was our night. We eventually worked our way back inside, where a few more drinks led us to a revealing game of truth or dare in one of the private cabanas. "Truth," she said, "or dare.""Truth," I whispered back. I knew what was coming."Do you still love me?" I couldn't answer, but her eyes begged. Those big, blue eyes. I stirred my drink."Fine," I replied. "Dare it is.""Kiss me?" I looked at her. I just couldn't say no, couldn't stand to see those baby blues swell up with teardrops one more time. Her plane was taking off in less than seven hours. So we kissed."Last call," we heard from the bar. I said goodbye, grabbed my coat, and walked out of her life forever. But as I was driving back, eyes tingling and stomach in ropes, I sent her one last text message: "heres lookin at u kid".VIBE: mellow, secluded, 'decayed elegance'CROWD: tame, private, casualPRICE: $$

by Irma S.

I really liked this place, really old Spanish style...kinda dark, cool cabanas and a pool! Came here after Ski Dazzle with some friends to have a couple of drinks. Really awesome place, really mellow and had a good vibe. I don't remember how much the drinks were ( not cause i was drunk ) but because I didn't pay ha ha. But they made a pretty good Washington Apple. I am definitely coming back!

by Marcus F.

Lounge review only:This is an oasis in downtown. A lovly and subtle middle eastern look. Nice bartenders. Quiet and so unhollywood. Very cool place to unwind and relax. Drinks are fairly decent too. Nothing like seven grand or Copa d'Oro, but okay none the less.

by Daniel H.

Great outdoor lounging within walking distance from Staples Center and LA Live. The ambiance was great on a Thursday night around 9:00 -- only abou 70% of the tables were full and it was easy to find a quiet spot. The music was loud enough to hear, but quiet enough to ignore. The top-shelf martinis were LA-Priced ($11) but BIG THUMBS DOWN for the *plastic* martini glass. As a matter of fact, that was my only problem, but its a major gripe. Most fancy drinks taste awful out of plastic. They didn't even do anything to try and mitigate the issue -- the serving size was on the small side and they cheaped out and used mini-straws instead of toothpicks for the olives. Overall, I'd go back for the location and the feel, but I'll be ordering mixed well drinks next time.

by theo n.

Yes it's a dive hotel, but the lounge in the back is grandiose; perfect for a UYE, or a large birthday party. My only reservation is the pool, It appears spectacular and has a deep end, but in actuality, it's shaped like a . . . coffin. So watch out when you jump off the deep end!

by Peter V.

The bar by the pool is just great.  Music is never to loud, always a table to get drunk at.  Added bonus, the make a great long island iced tea.

by Diana S.

This hotel lounge is a gem of a find and a great spot to steal away to when stuck in the Bermuda Triangle of the AEG Live Complex for a convention. The vibe by the pool is cool. Great ambience and get away from the neoness of AEG and the predictable chain outlets like ESPN Zone. My Mojito was tasty and I loved being poolside and also near the soothing sounds of a running fountain all while beneath a sky of tower buildings.

by Alexis W.shay w.Sarah L.stephy s.Dayna C.

I so enjoyed this place! Drink were Yummy. I went on a Saturday night, actually... Halloween night. hardly anyone was there but the music was great, low enough that you could hear it and still have a conversation.  I think it has a very romantic feel, great for date night with someone you want to get really close too ; ) The decor was cute! Had a Moroccan feel, very nice!SO RUDE!! The staff of this establishment is ridiculous; we wanted to reserve a room for a birthday and called FIVE times, each time they tried to transfer us to reservations; every time the phone would either immediately go to voice mail (that not surprisingly no one ever got back to you from) or just would ring and ring and ring. Still for some reason wanting to stay there, I emailed the reservation staff and explained what had been happening, I thought that I would get some sort of response that was some what apologetic, wow not even close; this is what it said when I explained that I had called numerous times to no avail and also enquiring about the prices per night.  "WE MUST OF BEEN IN VENICE PARTYING""265"Absolutely ridiculous!!!Some places don't look quite the same in day light as they do in the veil of night.   While candle light does amazing things to blur imperfections and create romantic shadows to hide many a fault, when the blazing hot sun was pouring into the lobby on Friday afternoon, the Hotel Fig was left helpless in all its dusty, run down, kinda smelly glory.Nevertheless, I had planned on lounging pool side with a cocktail in my hand so I headed straight for the Veranda Bar.I would've gone ahead and sipped on a cocktail while waiting for my play date but there was no bartender in sight.  A good amount of time had passed, My Friend had arrived and I was constantly checking to see anyone appear behind the bar.Nope.Patience does prevail for I did finally get drinks and enjoyed the 15 minutes at the Veranda bar before racing over to Trader Vic's for Happy Hour.I'll come back after Sunset, Hotel Fig. ....when you've got all your make up on and decked out in your "going out" outfit. I gotcha, Gurl!Chiggity CHECK!!Yes, oh yes, I can finally check this place off my list with a smile and file it in the return visit sooner than later cabinet! I have heard such wonderful things about the cool, vibey MOREROCKIN decor and it totally lived up to my expectations. It's awesome. The colors, all of the lanterns, the tiles, the warm, tranquil, sexy pants energy. Just perfect!We came here last night after getting in on some "Ooohhhh here she comes" action at the Hall and Oates concert at the Nokia down the street and it really was the perfect end to the night. We sat out by the pool in the Veranda Bar and chatted about life while looking at the surrounding buildings and sipping beverages and really, it was grand. I can't wait to come back here again soon! In fact, I may just book a room here one of these nights and sip wine and smoke a hookah... at least I think that's what the kids are calling it these days ;)Who would have thunk it... me, actually liking Downtown LA. Errwhat?From the outside, you would never know what you are about to see inside....Tropical ,Moroccan, beautiful decor... beautiful... we had my roommates birthday party out on the patio by the pool.  This place is a hidden gem and it is beautiful.  Lots of international guests hanging out speaking wonderful languages, excellent bartender, drinks are strong.  Get caught up in the atmosphere here.  I can't wait to come back!  I didn't stay in the rooms but they are beautiful too.  Parking lots in the neighborhood.

by Nicollette H.

I've stayed at this hotel half a dozen times in the last 3 years. I really adore this boutique hotel. The Moroccan theme is done well enough not to look theme-like just darkly romantic. The rooms are really nice, yes the bathroom might be small, but if you're pleasant to the hotel front desk staff and they have it available you just might end up with a suite! **2 of the 6 times I have stayed at the hotel we have***The outdoor Moroccan patio bar is a fun little place. At night it's just beautiful and yes there is a coffin shaped pool... the dark romantic in me is very pleased by this!  Order yourself a Moijito... sit back and relax.

by Gary I.

Great drinks. Very trendy inside. Love the Spanish structure to it. Prime location; next to the Staples Center.