If you’ve spent any time in Los Angeles, specifically near that weirdly polished intersection of Avenue of the Stars and Constellation Boulevard, you know the building. It’s that massive, crescent-shaped mid-century monolith that looks like it belongs in a Bond movie. For decades, everyone called it the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza. It was the place where Reagan stayed. It was where the Grammys happened. It was, basically, the heartbeat of Century City.
But here’s the thing. If you try to book a room at the "Hyatt Regency Century Plaza" today, you're going to get very confused very quickly.
The hotel isn't gone. Not exactly. But the Hyatt brand is. After a massive, multi-billion-dollar transformation that took way longer than anyone expected, the property emerged as the Fairmont Century Plaza. This wasn't just a fresh coat of paint or a swap of the stationery. It was a total identity shift.
The Mid-Century Icon That Refused to Die
Minoru Yamasaki—the same guy who designed the original World Trade Center—dreamed up this building in the 1960s. It opened in 1966 on the old 20th Century Fox backlot. Think about that for a second. This ground used to be where they filmed epic movies, and then it became the "Western White House" because Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan loved it so much.
For years, the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza was the default choice for the Hollywood elite. It was massive. It had over 700 rooms. It felt like a city within a city. But as the 2000s rolled on, the "luxury" felt a bit... tired? You know that specific kind of dated hotel vibe where the carpet is too thick and the gold fixtures look like they’ve seen too many power lunches? That was the reality.
Then came the drama. Around 2008, there were actually plans to tear the whole thing down. Developers wanted to build two giant residential towers. Preservationists flipped out. The Los Angeles Conservancy stepped in, and eventually, a compromise was reached: save the iconic curved building but modernize the hell out of it.
What Actually Changed During the $2.5 Billion Reno
The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza didn't just get a renovation; it got surgically reconstructed. The original 726 rooms were chopped down. Now, as a Fairmont, there are only 400 guest rooms, plus 63 branded residences and an entirely separate tower of luxury condos.
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Honestly, the scale is still intimidating.
When you walk into the lobby now, the first thing you notice is the floor-to-ceiling windows that actually retract into the floor. It’s a wild piece of engineering. They call it "bringing the outdoors in," but really, it just feels like you’re standing in a very expensive wind tunnel—in a good way. The old Hyatt lobby was dark and cavernous. This is airy.
The rooms are different too. If you remember the old Hyatt layout, you’ll recall they were somewhat cramped for a luxury spot. Now, even the "basic" rooms are huge. They’ve got marble bathrooms that are probably bigger than most West Hollywood apartments.
The Spa Situation
You can't talk about the new era of this property without mentioning the spa. It’s 14,000 square feet. It’s got a Himalayan salt room, an aromatherapy steam room, and a hammam. It’s the kind of place where you go to forget that traffic on the 405 exists. It’s a far cry from the functional, slightly corporate gym and pool area the Hyatt used to offer.
Why the Rebrand to Fairmont Matters
Why did it stop being a Hyatt? Business. Specifically, Accor (which owns Fairmont) saw an opportunity to turn a legendary business hotel into a "destination" luxury resort.
Hyatt is great. Don't get me wrong. I love a good Grand Hyatt. But Fairmont brings a specific type of "Grand Dame" energy that fits a Yamasaki building better. They lean into the history. They want you to feel like you’re part of the "Century City Legacy."
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It’s also about the money. By reducing the room count and upping the luxury, they can charge way more. During the Hyatt days, you might snag a room for $300 on a quiet weekend. Now? You’re lucky if you see anything under $600. It’s a different league.
The Reality of Staying There Now
Is it still "The Century Plaza"? Yes and no.
The exterior still has those iconic balconies. Every single room has one. That was Yamasaki’s big thing—he wanted everyone to have a view. From the higher floors, you can see all the way to the Getty Center and, on a clear day, the Pacific.
But the vibe has shifted from "Business Convention Center" to "Ultra-Luxe Urban Retreat." The bar, The Bar, is a serious scene now. It’s where agents from CAA (which is right across the street) go to lie to each other over $25 cocktails. It’s flashy. It’s expensive. It’s very, very L.A.
Common Misconceptions About the Property
People still call it the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza all the time. I’ve seen Uber drivers get confused. I’ve seen tourists look for the Hyatt sign.
- It’s not "closed." People saw the construction fences up for five years and assumed it was gone. It reopened in late 2021.
- It’s not just a hotel. A huge chunk of the footprint is now private condos. You can literally live there if you have a few million dollars lying around.
- The ballroom is still there. The famous Los Angeles Ballroom, where every President since Ford has spoken, was preserved. They didn't touch the history; they just scrubbed the 1990s off of it.
The Neighborhood Factor
Century City is a weird place. It’s basically a cluster of high-rises dropped into the middle of a residential area. For a long time, if you stayed at the Hyatt, you were stuck. There was the mall (Westfield Century City), and that was about it.
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Now, the mall has undergone its own billion-dollar renovation. It has an Eataly. It has high-end cinemas. Staying at the Fairmont Century Plaza now feels less like being on an island and more like being in a hub. You can walk to dinner, walk to a movie, and walk back to your $800-a-night room without ever touching a car—which is the ultimate L.A. luxury.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Visit
If you're planning a trip or just want to see the space, here is how to handle it:
- Don't look for Hyatt points. You won't find them here. This is an Accor Live Limitless (ALL) property now. If you're a Hyatt loyalist, you're out of luck.
- Book the "Fairmont Gold" level. If you’re going to spend the money anyway, the Gold lounge here is actually worth it. It feels like a private club and the food spreads are legit, not just soggy crackers and cubes of cheddar.
- Visit the Bar at sunset. Even if you aren't staying there, the lobby bar is worth a visit. The way the light hits the glass and the "Jaume Plensa" sculpture (a giant mesh head) outside is pretty spectacular.
- Check the event calendar. This hotel still hosts massive industry galas. If there’s a major award show or a political summit happening, the security is intense. Expect Secret Service or paparazzi. If you want a quiet stay, check if there’s a "black tie" event scheduled during your dates.
- Use the tunnel. There is a pedestrian tunnel that connects the hotel area to the towers across the street. It’s a bit "Matrix"-esque but very convenient for avoiding the Avenue of the Stars traffic.
The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza served its purpose for decades as a workhorse of the hospitality industry. It was reliable, grand, and maybe a little bit boring toward the end. The transition to the Fairmont Century Plaza saved the architecture but changed the soul of the place. It’s no longer a place for "everyone"—it’s a place for people who want the absolute pinnacle of what Century City has become.
Next time you're driving down Santa Monica Boulevard and see that familiar curve on the skyline, just remember: it's not a Hyatt anymore. It's something much more ambitious.
Practical Next Steps:
If you're looking to book, check the Fairmont official site rather than third-party aggregators, as they often have "residence" deals that aren't listed elsewhere. If you're a local, head to Lumière (the on-site brasserie) for a weekday lunch; it’s one of the best spots for people-watching the power brokers of the entertainment industry. For history buffs, the Los Angeles Conservancy still occasionally offers tours that highlight Yamasaki's work on the property—highly recommended for a deep dive into the 1960s futurism that defined this block.