IC Century City Los Angeles


Were you happy with the hotel?

Yes, on a Govt. rate of around $170.


Which room did you book?

Booked a standard room, upgraded to a suite (bedroom behind French doors), sold as king deluxe. There are a lot of these suites, and it may only be a one-category upgrade. Twelfth floor, facing ocean per my request, balcony like most rooms. A same-day request for the highest possible floor did not result in my being moved any higher in this 18-storey hotel (though the very top floors are tapered and mostly penthouses).


How are the rooms?

Fine. Flat screen TVs, large sofa and easy chairs, coffee table, workdesk.


How is the Exec. lounge?

N/A


What was good / bad?

Good:

- King deluxe rooms are quite nice and spacious, comfy sofa and chairs, nice new LCD TVs
- good minibar, incl. one half bottle each of CA red and white wines, many spirit miniatures, Heinekens, 2 Red Bulls, high quality cranberry and orange juices and large bottle of V-8. (but only drinks are free here)
- friendly staff at the front desk
- Received 3 newspapers in the morning, per my request (LA Times, WSJ, Financial Times)
- great views
- pleasant although small infinity swimming pool


Bad:

- Bathroom fairly spacious but shower head is aging
- No underarm deodorant available from housekeeping
- Upgrade policy for RAs may be a bit chintzy (see above)
- Room coffee maker uses little cups of concentrated coffee and decaf. The decaf tasted bad.
- No free snacks from the minibar
- No Club Floors / Lounge
- No keepsake gift. Food amenity was 3 red delicious apples on a long tray, and a small box of Torn Ranch micro-chocolate chip cookies in foil wrap, from Novato, CA. They tasted decent.
- No letter from the General Manager, a violation of the stated RA amenity package
- Expensive parking (Parked on the street about 15 mins. walk away for return to car at 9:00 am Monday. Free street parking in closer neighborhoods is easy on weekends and until 8:00 am weekdays).
- A longish walk to retail at the Century City Shopping Center. The Hyatt Century Plaza is better sited in this respect.
- Food offerings downstairs seemed less interesting than when the hotel was a Park Hyatt, though I didn't try them


Value for money? Would you return?

I would consider it at the government rate on a clear winter's day, chiefly for the room balconies and wide views out both sides of the hotel. To the west is a fine view of Santa Catalina Island, Palos Verdes, the Ballona Lagoon, Santa Monica Bay, Westwood and the Santa Monica Mountains. To the east is a spectacular view of downtown, the Miracle Mile, Hollywood, and the entire Angeles Crest. During my stay, just after a storm, the view extended right to the snow-capped San Bernardinos and Mt. San Jacinto, a good 70 miles away. I wish I'd booked an east-facing view.