Events at Hotel Figueroa, Los Angeles

About Hotel Figueroa

Hotel Figueroa is a historic boutique hotel and event venue in Downtown Los Angeles, at 939 S. Figueroa St. Originally opened in 1926 by the YWCA, it was “financed, built and operated by and for femininity,” serving as a women-only hostel and safe haven for professional women travelers (www.hotelfigueroa.com) (www.hotelfigueroa.com). Today the unbound-collection Hyatt property offers 268 rooms and suites over 14 floors (www.hotelfigueroa.com). The design celebrates Spanish Colonial Revival architecture mixed with Moorish accents (a vestige of its mid-century “Morocco” theme), featuring hardwood floors, plaster walls, ironwork lanterns, and a signature coffin-shaped pool in a lush courtyard (www.hotelfigueroa.com) (www.hotelfigueroa.com). A $55M plus renovation (2014–18) restored its original style: the lobby’s wood-paneled walls, tiles, and large fireplace create a cozy residential feel, while contemporary art (especially by local women artists) fills public spaces in tribute to the hotel’s feminist legacy (www.hotelfigueroa.com) (www.hotelmanagement.net). A centerpiece of the revitalized Figueroa corridor, it stands within blocks of Crypto.com Arena (Staples Center), L.A. Live, and the Convention Center.

Events and Programming

Hotel Figueroa hosts an eclectic mix of events that reflect its creative spirit. Rotating art installations and exhibitions by female photographers, painters, sculptors and performers are often featured in the lobby and gallery areas, honoring the hotel’s heritage as a hub of art and activism (www.hotelfigueroa.com) (www.hotelfigueroa.com). The venue also offers private and public events in its unique spaces: for example, La Casita (an elevated 1,500 sq ft garden terrace) is frequently used for daytime brunches, cocktail receptions and small concerts (www.hyatt.com), while the Tangier (an ornate 2,300 sq ft hall with Moroccan lanterns) has hosted films, music video shoots, DJ sets and exclusive soirées (www.hyatt.com). Live music and DJs occasionally appear in the pool lounge (Driftwood) and rooftop bar (Lady & the Lamp), especially on weekend evenings, creating a lively downtown ambiance. Meeting rooms like the Gran Sala (a 2,091 sq ft Spanish-colonial ballroom) and the intimate Moroccan-themed Casbah can be rented for weddings, conferences, lectures and fashion events. Regular creative workshops or speaker panels sometimes take place, often tied to women’s history or contemporary culture. In short, programming ranges from casual happy hours to arts and advocacy gatherings – much of it open to hotel guests and the public.

Tickets and Booking

Most events at Hotel Figueroa are included with hotel access or public entry rather than separate tickets. For on-site concerts or special ticketed nights (for example, certain DJ pool parties or pop-up dinners) information is usually announced via the hotel’s newsletter and social media, with reservations made on the hotel’s own website or at the front desk. There is no independent box office on premises – if tickets are required, guests purchase them online through approved outlets or at affiliated venue box offices (never through scalpers). For stays, rooms and event spaces can be booked directly through the Hyatt/Hotel Figueroa website or by calling reservations. Popular dates (holidays, convention weekends or major sports events) book up fast, so advance booking is advised. Group rates and meeting packages are available, and the hotel will often hold certain blocks of rooms for citywide conferences. Rates vary seasonally; the nightly destination/amenity fee of $35 (tax extra) covers high-speed Wi-Fi, bottled water and coffee in-room, access to the pool and fitness facilities, and other perks (www.hotelfigueroa.com) (www.hotelfigueroa.com).

Seating and Layout

• Gran Sala Ballroom: A 2,091 sq ft grand room with soaring 20-foot ceilings and chandeliers. This formal banquet hall (capacity ~150 for cocktails or 75 theater-seat) exudes Spanish colonial elegance (www.hyatt.com). It’s ideal for large sit-down dinners, presentations or dances. Acoustic treatments and built-in A/V make it flexible for speeches, panels and musical acts.
• Bar Alta & Casbah: A combined lounge comprising the 28-seat Art-Deco Bar Alta and the adjacent Casbah hideaway (speakeasy-style room entered via a secret bookcase). Together they accommodate about 50 guests in a private lounge setting (www.hyatt.com). Bar Alta features plush seating and cocktails, while Casbah offers mirrored walls and leather decor for intimate gatherings or VIP meetups.
• La Casita (Outdoor Terrace): A weather-protected 1,500 sq ft private patio on an upper floor, shaded by pergolas and plants (www.hyatt.com). With panoramic city views and a decorative fountain/faux fireplace, it fits up to 75 guests. This “hidden oasis” is perfect for al fresco receptions, brunches, or dancing under the stars (www.hyatt.com).
• Terrazza Rooftop: An open-air terrace on the 2nd floor, ~1,600 sq ft, with wrought-iron railings and sweeping skyline views. Accommodates ~100 guests. Its city vistas and lounge seating make it great for cocktail parties or an al fresco pre-show gathering.
• Tangier Ballroom: A 2,300 sq ft Moroccan-themed hall (named after Tangier, Morocco) featuring colorful tiles and hanging lanterns. It seats up to 200 (cocktail reception style) (www.hyatt.com). This was historically used for nightclub events and now hosts performances or large VIP events. (It famously appeared in music videos in decades past (www.hyatt.com).)
• Pool Deck (Driftwood): Ground-level poolside bar area with sunbeds and a DJ booth. While not fixed-seating, it holds ~50–100 people around the pool (depending on lounge setup). The bar’s stage area draws live DJs and hosts casual pool parties, so guests can mingle on lounges or dance on the deck.

For film or concert sound setups, the hotel provides standard AV packages (projectors, PA system, lighting rigs) when booking an event. The high ceilings in the Gran Sala and Tangier create bright, airy acoustics, whereas the Casbah’s low ceiling gives a private-speaker ambiance. For audiences, the mezzanine lobby and outdoor terrace offer interesting vantage points. In general, seats closest to speakers/stage in each room get the clearest sound, and outdoor areas are ideal for taking in panoramic views of the downtown skyline.

Getting There and Parking

Hotel Figueroa sits in central DTLA, steps from the LA Convention Center and L.A. Live. By car, it’s easily reached via the I-110 freeway: exit to Pico Boulevard or 9th Street and follow signs to Figueroa. From LAX, the drive is roughly 30–40 minutes (via the I-405 to I-110 north); an Uber/Lyft from LAX costs around $40–$60 depending on traffic. For public transit, Union Station is a major hub. Take the Metro D (Purple) Line from Union Station and ride just three stops to 7th Street / Metro Center, then it’s a 10-minute walk north to the hotel (www.hotelfigueroa.com). Several Metro buses also run along Figueroa/Pico nearby. The Expo Line’s Pico Station (on L.A. Live, ~0.3 mi) is another option from Santa Monica/Mid-City. If coming from the airport by bus, LAX FlyAway to Union Station and transfer to Metro. Rideshare and taxis can use the designated drop-off area curbside on Figueroa Street at the main entrance.

Parking: The hotel offers valet parking through a third-party service. Overnight self-parking is not available, but guests may valet park for $49 per night (plus tax) (www.hotelfigueroa.com). For short visits (lounge/dinner), valet rates are $18/hr for the first three hours, then $10 per additional half-hour (www.hotelfigueroa.com). Street parking in the immediate area is scarce, and nearby garages (e.g. L.A. Live or public lots) can be expensive. Ride-share drop-off at the hotel curb is usually the easiest option for quick visits. Note: the hotel’s parking is valet only, but there are ADA-accessible spaces and curb cuts for wheelchair access (www.hotelfigueroa.com).

Inside the Venue

Upon arrival, guests check in at the lobby desk (ID and credit card required; guests must be 21+ to register) (www.hotelfigueroa.com). The warm, art-filled lobby has plush sofas around a central fireplace – a nod to its original 1920s decor. ID checks are routine for any bar areas (dress is resort-casual, cocktail attire not required but no beachwear in dining spaces). All public areas and guest rooms have free high-speed Wi-Fi included (www.hotelfigueroa.com). The friendly staff can arrange luggage storage at no charge before check-in or after check-out.

Food & Drink: The hotel contains multiple eateries and bars, open to guests and visitors. Cafe Fig is the light-filled lobby café and lounge open mornings and afternoons for breakfast, lunch and brunch (roughly 7AM–3PM daily) (www.hotelfigueroa.com). Creative American fare by chef Blake Shailes is served on the cafe menu. Adjacent is Bar Magnolia, a grand lobby lounge serving cocktails and small plates from 3PM–10PM daily (happy hour weekdays 3–6PM) (www.hotelfigueroa.com). Upstairs by the pool is Driftwood, a laid-back ocean-themed bar and grill open midday till late (kitchen closes around 9–11PM depending on night) (www.hotelfigueroa.com). Atop the building is Lady & the Lamp, the rooftop cocktail bar and dance lounge (open evenings Thu–Sat) named in reference to Florence Nightingale’s “Lady with the Lamp” – fitting the hotel’s tribute to female pioneers. Guests can dine in-room via room service during restaurant hours. A 24-hour fitness center (on the 2nd floor) provides treadmills, Peloton bikes, weights and yoga mats, plus towels and chilled water (www.hotelfigueroa.com). No spa is on-site, but masseuses and yoga instructors can be booked for private sessions.

Special Facilities: The centerpiece pool (at ground level) is surrounded by 50-year-old cacti and bougainvillea, creating a tropical oasis amid downtown’s skyscrapers (www.hotelfigueroa.com). It’s open 8AM–8PM daily for swimming (with a courtesy CSW-approved pool lift for accessibility) (www.hotelfigueroa.com) (www.hotelfigueroa.com). The adjacent Driftwood bar has sun loungers and umbrellas for day use; on weekends it sometimes hosts DJ sets under the stars. An in-room safe is provided in every guest room for valuables. Tesla drivers will find two Tesla Destination chargers on-site (so your EV can recharge overnight). Security is discreet but vigilant: cameras monitor public areas and employees handle late-night after-hours entry. The hotel enforces a strict no-smoking policy indoors and in all guest rooms – violators incur a fine (www.hyatt.com). Pet lovers will note that Hotel Figueroa is pet-friendly: up to two pets (≤50 lbs) are allowed per room for a one-time fee, though animals are not allowed in the pool or restaurants (www.hyatt.com) (www.hotelfigueroa.com).

Nearby Amenities

Hotel Figueroa’s downtown address puts it within walking distance of many attractions. Directly adjacent (across the street) is the LA Convention Center. A block south is the L.A. Live entertainment complex, featuring numerous restaurants, bars, a movie theater, and the Microsoft Theater. Crypto.com Arena (home of the Lakers, Kings, Clippers, etc.) is just under a 10-minute walk, making the hotel a favorite with concert and gamegoers. For dining, the historic Original Pantry Café (a classic 24/7 American diner) is a few blocks northwest, and trendy spots like Bottega Louie, Perch (rooftop bar), and Sportsmen’s Lodge are also within easy reach. The Fashion District, Grand Central Market, and Little Tokyo are a short drive away for more shopping and food options.

Within the hotel’s own block are several cafeterias and retail shops catering to convention crowds. Nearby hotels include the landmark Hilton Checkers and Millennium Biltmore (a locally famous old hotel), the sleek Omni Los Angeles and JW Marriott at L.A. Live. Public transit is plentiful: besides Metro subway lines, the new Metro Regional Connector (opening 2023) will improve connections nearby. Late-night rides home are easy via Uber/Lyft (Figueroa has dedicated drop-off) or by grabbing a taxi around the corner at Pico Blvd.

For group guests, note the area’s safety and walkability. Downtown is busy and well-lit until late, but standard city precautions apply at night. The hotel staff can recommend trusted car services for late departures. If flying out, shuttle services by app or an executive car can reach LAX or Burbank Airport in ~30–45 minutes with typical traffic.

What Makes This Venue Special

More than a hotel, Hotel Figueroa is an iconic part of L.A. history and culture. It was the first large hotel owned and built by women in the United States (www.hotelfigueroa.com), and its spirit of social progress lives on. Within its walls many famous activists, artists and world travelers gathered: the venue hosted press conferences, rallies and salons on issues like women’s and civil rights (www.hotelfigueroa.com). Architecturally, it represents Los Angeles’s 1920s boom – built in Mediterranean-Spanish style with details like arched windows, handcrafted tiles, and lush patios. The current design balances that heritage with global flair: Morroccan and Moorish motifs at the Tangier and Casbah recall the Uno Thimansson era (1978–2014), while original Spanish Colonial features were carefully restored (www.hotelmanagement.net) (www.hotelmanagement.net). A quirky highlight is the coffin-shaped pool – unique in DTLA – behind a fountain and palms, giving guests a private “tropical getaway” feel on the ground floor (www.hotelfigueroa.com). The passionate emphasis on art and women is seen everywhere: murals of notable female figures, an art collection curated to showcase LA’s top women artists, and even female-owned suppliers – making Hotel Figueroa feel like a living museum of downtown’s bohemian past (www.hotelfigueroa.com) (www.hotelfigueroa.com). Audiences love performing or exhibiting here because the spaces are elegant yet intimate, and crowds enjoy the up-close, historic ambiance (unlike in a generic convention hall). In short, the hotel’s blend of history, design, and community focus gives it a one-of-a-kind personality in L.A.

Visitor Tips and Information

Accessibility: The hotel is fully ADA-compliant. Ramps and wide entrances ensure wheelchair access throughout the building. Elevators reach all floors and public areas. The ground-floor pool has a lift, and there are 29 accessible guest rooms (3 fully adapted with roll-in showers) (www.hotelfigueroa.com). Handicap parking is available via valet. If you need special accommodations, alert the staff when booking.

Check-In/Check-Out: Standard check-in is 4:00 PM and checkout is 12:00 PM (www.hotelfigueroa.com). Late checkout (until 1 PM) is complimentary if requested, or until 4 PM for an extra half-day fee. The front desk offers baggage storage free of charge if arriving early or departing late. The daily destination fee ($35/night) is added to folios and covers benefits like free coffee at Café Fig, bottled water, Wi-Fi and pool access (www.hotelfigueroa.com) (www.hyatt.com).

What to Bring: A valid photo ID and credit card are required at check-in for incidentals. Dress is casual at all venues; no formal attire or long gowns are needed unless specified by an event (no pool attire outside of the pool area). Swimsuits and sandals are fine by the pool. Sunscreen and sunglasses are handy for the outdoor terrace. Charge cables and adapters are also recommended; the hotel provides universal outlets but not plugs. Guests often bring their own workout gear or yoga mat, though towels and bottled water are supplied in the gym. For dining, reservations are recommended especially on weekends.

Items to Avoid / Rules: Outside food and large coolers are not allowed. Smoking is prohibited inside all rooms and indoor spaces (www.hyatt.com); a $500 fee applies if smoke is detected. Pets (other than service animals) must be registered and cannot enter restaurants, the pool area or furniture. If visiting an event, check the dress code (most events are casual). Avoid high heels on historic wood floors or around the pool. Notify the staff if any room issues arise; they are generally quick to assist. Tipping is customary: $1–$2 per bag for bell service, and 15–20% for food/drinks.

Age Restrictions: Guests must be 21+ to book a room. There is no minimum age to accompany an adult guest, but pool guests under 14 must be supervised by an adult. The lounges and bars are 21+ during evening hours, though children with parents may visit the Café Fig and afternoon pool hours. All guests must follow hotel curfews (quiet after 10 PM) and pool hours (8 AM–8 PM) (www.hotelfigueroa.com). Any childcare needs or late-night babysitting should be arranged with outside services.

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Many visitors don’t factor in the early 4 PM check-in time and arrive too early expecting a room; use the lounge or café to relax if needed. Others forget about the resort fee and are surprised by the extra nightly charge – however, this fee includes wifi, coffee and water, so factor it into budgeting. At the pool, note that lap swimming is not available; it’s for leisure only. If using rideshare, don’t try to self-park – always use valet. Finally, be aware that DTLA does quiet down after 11 PM; street parking becomes tight, so plan rides accordingly.

Insider Tips: On-site art tours (led by hotel staff) are sometimes offered at no charge – ask concierge. The fourth-floor terrace (La Casita) is a beautiful sunset spot frequently overlooked by casual guests. If dining at Café Fig, try the French toast or the seasonal veggie dishes. Late-night visitors find fewer crowds on Friday nights at the rooftop bar and swim spa. And if you want a lower rate, midweek stays (Sun–Thurs) are significantly cheaper than Friday/Saturday. Finally, don’t miss the photo-op at the lobby’s vintage Bar Magnolia and take a picture with the iconic lobby artwork honoring the hotel’s founding women. (www.hotelfigueroa.com) (www.hotelfigueroa.com).

Frequently Asked Questions