You see it from miles away. It’s that massive, glass-clad needle piercing the smoggy haze of the 110 freeway. Honestly, the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown is kind of hard to miss. Standing at 1,100 feet, the Wilshire Grand Center—which houses the hotel—officially stole the title of the tallest building west of the Mississippi from the U.S. Bank Tower back in 2017. But here’s the thing: most people just see the spire and think "fancy hotel." They don't realize that staying here is a fundamentally different experience than almost any other luxury spot in the city.
Standard hotels have a lobby on the ground floor. You walk in, talk to a guy behind a mahogany desk, and go up. Not here. At the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, you enter on the street level and immediately have to commit to a high-speed elevator ride that shoots you straight to the 70th floor. It’s disorienting. Your ears will definitely pop. You step out, and suddenly, the entire basin of Southern California is laid out under your feet like a scale model.
The sky lobby is where the real vibe check happens. On a clear day, you can see the Pacific Ocean and the Hollywood Sign simultaneously. It’s spectacular, but it also means the hotel isn't exactly "cozy" in the traditional sense. It’s grand. It’s corporate. It’s unapologetically vertical.
The Room Situation and Why the 31st Floor Matters
Most travelers think higher is always better. In this building, that’s usually true, but there’s a nuance to how the rooms are laid out. The hotel occupies floors 31 through 73. If you end up on the lower end of that spectrum, you’re still higher up than most people in LA will ever be, but you’re closer to the street noise of Wilshire and Figueroa.
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The rooms themselves are surprisingly minimalist. You won't find the heavy drapes or overstuffed Victorian armchairs common in older luxury brands. Instead, it’s all floor-to-ceiling glass and smart technology. If you like buttons, you'll love it here. You can control the lighting and the motorized shades from the bedside panel. When those shades roll up in the morning? It’s basically like waking up in a cloud.
One thing people often overlook is the bathroom design. Most rooms feature a walk-in rainfall shower and Le Labo toiletries—specifically the Santal 33 scent, which has basically become the unofficial smell of "I have a high-limit credit card." The bathtubs in the suites are positioned right against the window. It’s a bit of a trip to soak in a tub while looking down at a police helicopter flying below you.
Spire 73: The Highest Open-Air Bar in the Western Hemisphere
If you’ve heard of this hotel, you’ve heard of Spire 73. It is the crown jewel of the property, located on the literal roof. It’s an open-air bar and lounge that gets a lot of hype, and for the most part, it earns it. But you need to know a few things before you head up there.
First, it’s windy. Really windy. You’re over a thousand feet in the air; the wind doesn't care that you spent an hour on your hair. They have glass partitions and fire pits, which help, but if you’re going in the winter or even a breezy spring night, bring a jacket.
Second, there is usually a cover charge for non-guests. Even for guests, getting a table can be a nightmare without a reservation. It's a "see and be seen" spot. You’ll see influencers trying to get the perfect sunset shot and business moguls closing deals over $25 cocktails. If you want the view without the wind, La Boucherie on the 71st floor is a better bet. It’s a high-end steakhouse with an insane wine cellar (over 1,200 bottles) and "starlight booths" that are basically private pods overlooking the city.
Let’s Talk About the Location (It’s Not Beverly Hills)
Downtown LA (DTLA) is a polarizing place. If you’re coming to Los Angeles for the beach or the Rodeo Drive shopping experience, the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown might actually feel a bit isolated. You are in the Financial District.
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On weekends, this part of town can feel a little quiet, almost eerie, as the office workers head home. However, if you are here for a game at Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center) or a concert at L.A. Live, you are in the perfect spot. It’s a ten-minute walk. You’re also close to:
- The Broad museum (incredible contemporary art, but get tickets in advance).
- Grand Central Market (go to Eggslut, wait in the line, it’s worth it).
- The Last Bookstore (Instagram famous, but actually a great place to get lost).
The traffic in DTLA is legendary in the worst way possible. If you have a meeting in Santa Monica at 5:00 PM, you need to leave the hotel by 3:30 PM. Seriously. Don't trust Google Maps when it says 30 minutes; it’s lying to you.
The Infrastructure: Elevators and Logistics
This sounds boring, but in a building this tall, elevators are your life. The InterContinental uses a "destination dispatch" system. You punch in your floor on a keypad in the hallway, and it tells you which elevator to board. There are no buttons inside the cars.
It’s efficient, but it can be confusing for first-timers. Also, because the hotel starts on the 70th floor, you will spend a lot of time switching elevators. Want to go from your room on the 45th floor to the gym on the 7th? You have to go up to the 70th, switch to the "ground" elevators, and then stop at 7. It’s a bit of a logistical dance.
The fitness center is actually one of the best hotel gyms in the city. It’s huge. They have a full range of Technogym equipment, a steam room, and a sauna. Because it’s located lower in the building, you get a cool perspective of the surrounding skyscrapers rather than just looking over them.
Is the Club Lounge Worth the Extra Cash?
The InterContinental brand is famous for its Club Lounge. In this specific property, it’s located on the 70th floor. Usually, I’d say hotel lounges are a skip, but here, it might be worth the upgrade if you plan on spending time at the hotel.
They do a full breakfast spread, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails with hors d'oeuvres. If you eat a solid breakfast and hit the evening snacks, you’ve basically covered two meals. Plus, the lounge is much quieter than the main lobby area, making it a decent place to get some work done if you’re a digital nomad or on a business trip.
The Reality of the "Tallest Building" Title
There is a bit of a technicality with the whole "tallest building" claim. The U.S. Bank Tower actually has a higher roof. The InterContinental takes the title because of its spire. Does that matter to you? Probably not. But if you’re a regular at the 71Above restaurant in the U.S. Bank Tower, you might notice you’re looking almost eye-to-eye with the people in the InterContinental.
One thing that is undeniable is the architecture. The building was designed by AC Martin Partners and features a massive LED "spine" that lights up the night sky. It’s a piece of modern engineering that used a "continuous pour" for the foundation—the largest in world history at the time—to ensure it could withstand the seismic realities of California. It's built to sway, not break.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay
If you’re actually booking a stay at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, don't just show up and hope for the best. DTLA is a complex beast.
- Ask for a "Corner King" room. The way the building curves means these rooms have nearly 180-degree views. It makes a massive difference compared to the standard rooms.
- Check the pool deck schedule. The No Dive bar and pool are on the 7th floor. It’s an urban oasis, but it gets shaded by surrounding buildings early in the afternoon. If you want sun, go before 1:00 PM.
- Validate your parking. Valet is expensive—like, "I could have bought a nice dinner" expensive. If you’re just visiting for a meal at Sora (the sushi spot on the 69th floor), make sure they scan your ticket.
- Download the "IHG One Rewards" app. Even if you aren't a frequent traveler, they often have "member rates" that are significantly lower than what you’ll find on Expedia or Booking.com.
- Explore the 69th floor. Most people go to 70 (lobby) or 73 (bar). The 69th floor has Dekkadance, an international buffet that is actually quite good, and Sora, which has a conveyor belt sushi setup. It's usually less crowded than the floors above.
The InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown isn't for everyone. It’s big, it’s busy, and it can feel a little cold if you prefer boutique hotels with "soul." But for the sheer scale of the experience—the feeling of being suspended in the air over one of the world's most iconic cities—it's pretty much unbeatable. You aren't just staying in a room; you're staying in a landmark. Just remember to bring a sweater for the roof. You'll thank me later.