Los Angeles may be famous for its traffic, but planners will be happy to learn that the city can now be enjoyed while avoiding bumper-to-bumper gridlock. The Metro Expo Line recently opened its light rail extension from Culver City to Santa Monica. In just 46 minutes, attendees can travel from a day of meetings and events in Downtown L.A. to a relaxing evening on the beach (or, in even less time, to hop off at any of the seven new stations along the way). This is the first passenger train to serve Santa Monica in more than 50 years, making it easier than ever for groups to see more of the city.
Downtown L.A. remains the center of the city's meetings offerings, including the Los Angeles Convention Center and the adjacent L.A. Live entertainment complex and Staples Center, as well as numerous hotels including the 434-room DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles Downtown and 485-room Sheraton Grand Los Angeles. Downtown's meeting venues are not just expanding, they're rising, with the recent addition of Skyspace LA, an event space offering 360-degree views of the city from almost 1,000 feet above street level. Located on floors 69 and 70 of the U.S. Bank Tower, Skyspace offers about 3,400 square feet of event space, a full-service bar, catering prep kitchen, and on-site valet. Visitors can enjoy the view from the outdoor observation deck or -- for those not afraid of heights -- the Skyslide, an all-glass slide guests can use to travel from the 70th to the 69th floor.
One floor higher sits 71Above -- the highest restaurant west of the Mississippi (with views from Malibu to Laguna Hills as well as of the Los Angeles basin and surrounding mountain ranges), with modern American cuisine from Chef Vartan Abgaryan. It offers one large and two small private rooms overlooking Dodger Stadium, as well as chef's tables offering views of the open kitchen, and of course a vibrant main dining room.
Downtown isn't the only place drawing planners' interest. In Hollywood's "Cahuenga Corridor," Dream Hotel Group will be opening Dream Hollywood by the end of the year. The 179-room luxury property will include an 11,000-square-foot rooftop lounge and pool as well as a "public alley" that will connect five eateries and nightlife destinations.
For something closer to the beach, groups can consider Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. The hotel offers striking views of Santa Monica Beach and the Pacific Ocean, and aims for a modern residential feel. Close to Malibu and Venice, it boasts an oceanfront pool and Jacuzzi, as well as the full-service Ocean Spa & Fitness, providing organic body and facial treatments, and a private fitness studio. It has 20,000 square feet of flexible function space (with venues like the 6,200-square-foot Arcadia Grand Ballroom and oceanfront Venice Room), in addition to expansive reception areas able to cater to up to 900 people.
This fall will see the opening of Cambria El Segundo LAX, an upscale property from Choice Hotels International, featuring 152 guest rooms, a Custom Fit fitness center, Back Porch outdoor area, as well as Social Circle bistro. It sits just two miles south of the Los Angeles International Airport.
Even further south, Laguna Beach is seeing expanded offerings, with a pair of boutique hotels ideal for smaller groups and corporate retreats looking to hold teambuilding activities. The 36-room Laguna Beach House is a surf lodge with a relaxed California vibe, offering groups activities such as surfboard shaping, in which individuals can customize their board and take a surf lesson to try it out. The 70-room oceanfront Inn at Laguna Beach sits close to the city's numerous restaurants, art galleries, and beach, where groups can join in standup paddle boarding -- checking out the area's coves, beaches, and sea lion sanctuary -- or take sand castle classes, in which they can learn to build elaborate sand castles that are far from kids' stuff.
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This article appears in the September 2016 issue of Successful Meetings.