Pillow Talk: Between the Sheets of the Hoxton Hotel, Downtown LA

It’s the epitome of Downtown LA cool, fusing old-world Hollywood glamour in the old HQ of the Los Angeles Railway with contemporary style – all at fairly approachable prices, too. You’ll no doubt want to spend a chunk of time catching rays by the rooftop pool, but peel yourself up from the comfy loungers and you’ll be rewarded with social brunches in the foliage-filled Sibling Rival bistro or private parties with your pals in the Apartment. When it’s time to hit the sheets, you’ll find rooms with House of Hackney prints, nodding back to the London brand’s roots, and big windows, illuminated with Cali rays.

Calling all shopaholics: Downtown LA’s most popular fashion hotspot is only a five-minute walk from the Hoxton. Every day of the year, rain or shine, bargain-hunters descend on this market-style strip to stock up on flashy jewelry, men’s suits, lush fabrics or children’s toys. It can be a bit of a scrum, so come armed with patience and a readiness to haggle – and remember that everything is final sale. Bring an energy for people-watching, too: the unofficial second sport of a visit to this strip.

In this historic quarter of LA, a lot of the most exciting must-sees have been born from crumbling old buildings – and City Market South is a perfect example. Once home to LA’s oldest produce market, the brick-fronted hall, a 10-minute walk from the Hoxton, was revamped a little under a decade ago into a dining and shopping hub, stuffed with trendy eats such as Superfine Pizza and Cognoscenti Coffee. After you’ve had your fill of grazing, sink a couple of cocktails at Dama. Make ours a margarita…

For more than a century, it’s been supplying bountiful blooms to the city and its surrounds – so, the Los Angeles Flower Market, a 15-minute walk from the Hoxton, is a colorful stop on your neighborhood tour. It’s technically a wholesale market, so you might not be in the, er, market to purchase – unless you’re in town to supply a wedding. But you can still pop in for a morning browse, any time from when doors open at the crack of dawn. Remember, cool morning climes = fresh, perky flowers.

Don’t let the name confuse you: this isn’t a Mickey Mouse-style themed attraction, but rather a grand, landmark performance venue, home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil). The eye-catching Frank Gehry-designed exterior is enough to justify a visit – a vision in geometric steel, it’s a distinct contrast to the crumbling old-school architecture that fills much of Downtown. A quick five-minute taxi ride from the Hoxton brings you in for a concert. Whatever you book will be a musical feast, in one of the most acoustically advanced concert halls in the world.

When it’s time for a nightcap – or, for that matter, a sundowner – whiskey lovers need look no further than Seven Grand, a 15-minute walk (or stumble) from your room at the Hoxton. Live music, pool tables and elegantly dressed bar staff will welcome you as you step into the low-lit space, home to the best collection of international whiskies in Downtown LA. A connoisseur? Make for Bar Jackalope, tucked behind Seven Grand, for 120 varieties, including rare Japanese, Scotch and Irish bottlings.

After a night on the (down)town, there’s nothing that blows hangovers away quite like a plate of fried chicken. The trendy set make for Poppy + Rose, a stylish comfort-food haunt with dishes both healthy (avo toast) and not (pork hash or the aforementioned buttermilk-fried chicken and waffles). Do book ahead; it’s been named the best breakfast in the city more than once, and if you leave it late you might be denied a sought-after seat.

The Grammys, the music world’s biggest awards ceremony, epitomize LA glamour. Just a 10-minute walk from the Hoxton you can take a deep-dive into their intricacies at this themed museum, boasting exhibits on acclaimed bands, as well as regularly scheduled expert discussions. There are live performances, too: keep an eye to see who’s slated to perform next, so you can book tickets as soon as they’re released.