The Fairmont Century Plaza isn't just a hotel. It’s a massive, crescent-shaped anchor for an entire neighborhood. If you've ever driven down Avenue of the Stars, you've seen it. That unmistakable mid-century silhouette that looks like it belongs in a Bond film. Honestly, for a few years there, people thought it might stay closed forever. Construction delays and the world shutting down in 2020 didn't help. But the Century Plaza Hotel Los Angeles didn't just reopen; it basically reinvented what a "grand" hotel looks like in a city that usually prefers tiny boutique spots or glass towers.
Minoru Yamasaki designed this place. You might know him as the architect of the original World Trade Center. He had this vision of "humanism" in architecture. He wanted things to feel big but not crushing. When the hotel opened in 1966, it was the first of its kind to have color televisions in every room. It was the "Hotel of the Future." Presidents stayed here. Nixon held his "Moon Landing" dinner here. It was a big deal.
Fast forward to now. It’s undergone a $2.5 billion renovation. That is a staggering amount of money. To put that in perspective, you could buy several professional sports teams for that price. But you can see where the money went the second you walk through those massive floor-to-ceiling windows that slide into the floor.
The architectural soul of the Century Plaza Hotel Los Angeles
Walking into the lobby feels like stepping into a very expensive, very quiet dream. The renovation, led by Yabu Pushelberg, kept the bones of Yamasaki’s design but stripped away the dated 1980s clutter.
Most people don't realize that the hotel actually has fewer rooms now than it used to. It went from roughly 800 rooms down to 400. Why? Because they turned the rest of the space into permanent residences. It's a trend in luxury travel right now. They call it "branded residences." Basically, if you're rich enough, you can just live at the Fairmont.
The rooms themselves are massive. You get these private balconies that overlook the hills or the city. In Los Angeles, a balcony is a true luxury because most high-rises seal you in. Here, you can actually smell the jasmine in the air at night. It's a vibe.
It’s not just for tourists
Locals actually hang out here. That’s the secret sauce for any successful hotel. If the lobby is filled with nothing but people holding suitcases, the energy dies. The Century Plaza Hotel Los Angeles has Lumière, which is this French-inspired brasserie. It feels like something you'd find in St. Germain, not in the middle of a business district. The seating is plush. The lighting is moody. You see agents from CAA next door having "power breakfasts" and actors hiding behind sunglasses.
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Then there’s the bar. It’s the centerpiece of the lobby. They have this massive sculpture by Jaume Plensa called Anna. It’s a mesh head that looks different from every angle. It’s sort of haunting but also incredibly cool. You sit there with a $25 cocktail and realize that this is exactly what Century City was supposed to be: sophisticated, wealthy, and slightly detached from the chaos of Hollywood.
Why the spa is the real reason people book here
You can't talk about this hotel without mentioning the Fairmont Spa. It’s 14,000 square feet. Most people's houses fit into that space four or five times. It’s a tech-forward wellness center. They have biohacking treatments. Infrared saunas. Meditation rooms.
- It has a Himalayan salt room that actually helps with respiratory issues.
- The "Biohacking" program uses technology from Dr. Nigma Talib.
- There are experiential showers that mimic tropical rain.
- You can get a "non-surgical facelift" using microcurrents.
It's intense. But in a city obsessed with staying young, it makes perfect sense. The spa is one of the few places in LA where you can truly disappear for six hours and come out feeling like a different person.
The neighborhood factor
Century City used to be a backlot for 20th Century Fox. In fact, the hotel sits on land where they filmed massive movie sets. Today, it’s a grid of steel and glass. But the hotel serves as the heart of it. You’re across the street from the Westfield Century City mall, which is arguably the nicest outdoor mall in the country. You can walk to Eataly. You can walk to the AMC. In a city where nobody walks, staying at the Century Plaza Hotel Los Angeles actually makes life pedestrian-friendly.
The hotel also sits at a crossroads of business and entertainment. You’ve got the massive talent agencies like CAA and WME within a five-minute radius. This means the lobby is a constant parade of "who's who." If you like people-watching, there is no better place in the world.
Managing the expectations of a $2.5 billion price tag
Look, it’s not cheap. A night here will cost you significantly more than a standard hotel. Is it worth it? That depends on what you value. If you want a tiny, "cool" hotel with a loud rooftop pool, go to West Hollywood. If you want a place that feels monumental—where the service is invisible but perfect—then this is the spot.
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One thing that surprises people is the scale. It’s big. Sometimes it can feel a little corporate because of the nearby office towers. But once you get up to the rooftop pool, that feeling vanishes. The views of the Hollywood sign and the Pacific Ocean are genuinely breathtaking. You're high enough to see the curve of the earth, or at least it feels like it.
The history you can still feel
Even with all the new marble and high-tech gadgets, the history is still there. This was the site of the 1967 protest against the Vietnam War when 10,000 people marched while President Johnson was inside. It was the "Western White House" for Reagan. There is a weight to the building.
When they were renovating it, they had to be careful. They couldn't just tear it down. It’s a historical landmark. They literally had to lift parts of the building and reinforce them while keeping the iconic facade intact. That kind of engineering is why the project took so long and cost so much. It was a labor of love, or maybe a labor of stubbornness. Either way, the result is a building that feels permanent in a city that usually tears things down every twenty years.
How to get the most out of your stay
If you're planning a trip to the Century Plaza Hotel Los Angeles, don't just use it as a place to sleep. That’s a waste of money.
- Book a room with a balcony. Even the lower floors have great views of the garden.
- Use the "Nordic Pulse" at the spa. It’s a cycle of hot and cold that kills jet lag instantly.
- Visit the rooftop at sunset. The way the light hits the glass towers of Century City is something you won't see anywhere else.
- Order the French onion soup at Lumière. It’s legitimately one of the best in the city.
The hotel is also remarkably dog-friendly. They have specific amenities for pets because, well, it's LA. Everyone has a dog. You'll see Poodles and Frenchies lounging in the lobby like they own the place.
Practical logistics for the modern traveler
Getting here is easy enough, but traffic in Century City is a nightmare during rush hour. If you're coming from LAX, give yourself an hour. If you're coming from Santa Monica, it’s a quick hop down Olympic or Pico. Valet parking is expensive—it’s just a fact of life here.
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There’s a certain rhythm to the hotel. It’s quiet in the mornings, buzzing at lunch, and then it gets this sophisticated, low-thrum energy in the evenings. It never feels "clubby" or obnoxious. It stays classy.
What most people miss
The art collection. Most guests walk right past millions of dollars worth of contemporary art. Beyond the Anna sculpture, there are pieces tucked away in the hallways and the residence lounge that are museum-quality. The hotel worked with curators to make sure the art reflected the "New California" vibe—diverse, bold, and slightly experimental.
And the gardens. Behind the hotel, there are these beautifully landscaped paths. They connect the hotel to the surrounding towers and the mall. It’s a little pocket of green in a world of concrete. It’s where you’ll see the residents walking their dogs or people taking a quiet phone call. It’s the lung of the property.
Actionable Next Steps for Travelers
If you are looking to experience the Century Plaza Hotel Los Angeles, start by checking their "Resident Rate" or "California Local" deals if you live in the state. They often run promotions during the shoulder seasons (January to March) that make the price point much more accessible.
Next, make a reservation for the spa at least two weeks in advance. It fills up with locals on the weekends, and you don't want to be the person staying at the hotel who can't even get into the sauna.
Finally, plan your transit. You don't necessarily need a car if you're staying here for a weekend. Between the proximity to the mall and the ease of Uber/Lyft in this area, you can save the $60+ a night on valet and spend it on a better bottle of wine at dinner.
The Fairmont Century Plaza is a comeback story. It’s a reminder that Los Angeles doesn't always have to be about the newest, flashiest thing. Sometimes, the "Hotel of the Future" just needs a little bit of time to catch up with itself.