If you haven’t noticed, we love to travel here at The Manual and take pride in finding the best ways to enjoy each destination to the fullest. And although we are huge fans of Airbnb and believe it’s changed the world of accommodations for the better, there’s nothing like checking into an amazing hotel with all the best amenities at your fingertips. So when a property like The Line opens in Los Angeles, we have to see how it stacks up to the rest. Check out our overview before visiting for yourself.
The Rundown
The Line is a hotel by the Sydell Group in collaboration with the creative minds of Roy Choi, The Houston Brothers, Sean Knibb and Poketo. Housed in a mid-century Koreatown building that’s been completely restored and renovated, it sits among some of the most famous pre-1940 brick colonial revival properties in the city. It draws inspiration from the Korean culture of the surrounding neighborhood and is pretty central to everything, by L.A. standards. The year-old hotel is 12 stories with 388 guest rooms.
The Rooms
If you’re looking for a shiny skyscraper with starkly decorated rooms, this is not the hotel for you (thank goodness). Venice-based designer Sean Knibb used natural materials, organic shapes and warm colors to decorate the inviting rooms that are flushed with light from the floor to ceiling windows. Each room comes equipped with a king bed outfitted in a custom plush top mattress, flat screen HD TV with the ability to stream personal content, a Soundfreaq docking station to blast your tunes, Baxter of California bath amenities and a fully-stocked mini bar with both Korean and Western snacks. Original watercolors by artist Claire Oswalt and commissioned photography prints from Kevin Hanley and ACME Gallery adorn the walls.
The Food
If you’re in the mood for Korean hot pot, Seoul-born chef Roy Choi serves up the best at aptly named Pot alongside noodles, BBQ and delicious seafood. Modeled after the classic hotel bar found in Korean hotels to accommodate international travelers, The Pot Lobby Bar is where to get your cocktail fix before or after dinner with DJs spinning four nights a week. If you’re in the mood for a lighter bite, the Commissary is a stunning, poolside greenhouse restaurant with a focus on fresh fruits and vegetables. The Café is a beautiful blend of L.A.’s rich food culture, mixing the chaos of Taiwanese bakeries, Korean underground food markets and El Salvadorian and Mexican panaderias. Go there to grab coffee, organic tea, pastries, sandwiches and whole cakes.
The Amenities
When you’re not hanging by the beautiful outdoor pool deck, you can explore the neighborhood on one of 25 custom bicycles, designed for The Line by Venice company Linus Bikes. Along with the hotel, they co-developed local bike route maps to get the most out of your adventure. If you’re looking for reading materials or a gift, the international 24-hour newsstand curated by husband-and-wife team behind Poketo has everything from cookbooks to Lands’ End blankets. Pick up local magazine Xtra Shiny to find out what’s happening in The Line’s neighborhood and beyond.
Like what you see? Check The Line out for yourself at thelinehotel.com
Photo credits: Adrian Gaut, Art Gray and Sisilia Pirin
