Hotel Per La opened last September in the historic Giannini Building in Downtown Los Angeles, and while it took over from the short-lived NoMad Hotel, the property’s name pays homage to the stunning 1922 Neoclassical structure’s original occupant: the Bank of Italy, which considered itself for the people, or per la gente. The Italian influence extends beyond the name, to the food and decor. Here are four reasons to check in.
Space to Escape
There may be traffic and pavement just outside, but step into the first floor’s vaulted public space and you’ll feel as if you’ve escaped to the Amalfi Coast. Parlor palms and ferns complement botanical-printed chairs and sofas, creating a breezy vibe that makes it just about impossible not to order a negroni during the bar’s aperitivo hour. If you’d rather pass the time playing chess, you’re in luck: There’s a dedicated game area—much moodier, with a rich purple rug and velvet chairs—that feels straight out of Clue. (Jenga blocks never looked classier.)
Per L’Ora Restaurant
With its 20-foot-high blue and gold Italianate ceiling, the lobby restaurant, Per L’Ora, is also right out in the open, making it easy to segue from checkmate into dinner. The coastal Italian menu has a dash of LA panache—avocado fettunta, orecchiette with a sumptuous birria oxtail ragu—and the inventive cocktail list features options designed for wine lovers, such as the Jubilee, made with Luxardo sour cherry gin, amaretto, lamBrusco, and hibiscus.
Rooftop Pool
One visit to the spectacular rooftop pool will have you canceling all of your sightseeing plans. A replica of the 16th-century mouth of Orcus sculpture from Italy’s Garden of Bomarzo frames one end of the pool, although in this setting its grotesque visage seems more selfie backdrop than jaws of hell. There are plenty of chaise longues for soaking up the sun, plus patio seating for those in need of a snack. (Light Mediterranean bites include grilled prawns and bigeye tuna crudo, which you can wash down with a glass of sparkling rosé.)
Sweet Dreams
Each of the Per La’s 241 rooms and suites will make you feel as if you’re staying at your stylish friend’s house. Prints, vintage postcards, and photographs by local artists scatter across the walls, while parquet floors and Persian rugs add a lived-in feel. Unlike at your friend’s place, though, many of the rooms feature freestanding pedestal bathtubs, which are perfect for a pre-bed soak—perhaps while listening to some Nino Rota?
From $303, hotelperla.com
