 © Photos courtesy of Hyatt Regency Century Plaza |
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5 STAR LUXURY HOTEL • 728 ROOMS & SUITES
Nicknamed "World's Most Beautiful Hotel" when it opened on June 1, 1966, the Century Plaza will thrill fans of mid-century modernism. After taking over management of the Century Plaza in October 2005, Hyatt has poured $30 million into renovating the property to its former glory.
Ever guest room and suite has been completely refurbished in soothing neutral earth tones. In the lobby too, creamy colors predominate. A splash of color is provided by the flat-panel televisions hanging behind the reservation desks that greet visitors with cheerful montages of swimming fish or swirling clouds.
Back up in the rooms, Hyatt has installed 32” flat-screen LCD high-definition televisions, iHome clock radios with built-in iPod docking stations and the chain’s supremely comfortable Grand Bed – a custom-made sleep system that includes a 13.5" pillow-top mattress perched on a 9" Shock Abzzorber Plus™ spring unit.
The man behind the elegantly curving shape of the Century Plaza was Japanese-American architect Minoru Yamasaki. Ten years after his work on Century Plaza, Yamasaki would win fame and fortune as the architect of New York’s World Trade Center. In the 1960s, Yamasaki was already celebrated for his work on an iconic St. Louis airport terminal and other achievements.
Yamasaki designed the Century Plaza to fit onto what was once a sprawling backlot for 20th Century Fox studios. Work began in 1964 and finished two years later. Entertainer Bob Hope hosted a lavish party on June 5th, 1966 to celebrate the opening of the Century Plaza. Since then, the hotel has played host to a number of celebrities including Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Scarlet Johansen, Tyra Banks and every U.S. president since Lyndon Johnson. When President Reagan was in office, he reportedly stayed so often at the Century Plaza that the hotel became known as the “Western White House”.
That star-studded glamour is still very much in evidence at the hotel. During a recent stay, the hotel’s X Bar (www.xbarla.com) was closed two nights in a row to host parties for the Emmy awards. The Century City area surrounding the hotel is home to some of Hollywood’s most powerful artist management companies – Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is right across the street, with International Creative Management (ICM) around the corner.
Since Century City is somewhat of an office neighborhood, X Bar has the best buzz early in the evening. Consider stopping by between 7 and 11 p.m., particularly on a Thursday or Friday night to find the best scene. That said, any night is a good night to sample some of the best bar food around. The trio of mini Burger Bites on brioche buns and the Tuna Sashimi Avocado Stack are two of the menu highlights. (Rumor has it that the One Pound Fiery Chicken Morsels are also out of this world.)
Finally, no review of the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza would be complete without a mention of its pool area. Originally designed by Yamasaki to contain Japanese gardens and koi ponds, the pool area now contains one spacious swimming pool, a Jacuzzi and several smaller decorative pools. The overall effect is both artistic and functional. The balconies attached to every guest room provide a marvelously relaxing vantage from which to survey the entire pool scene and the city beyond sprawling down to the sea.
© Written by Aaron Dalton for Luxury Travel Magazine, October 2007.
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ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Presidential Suite
Royal Suites
Traditional Penthouse
Junior Penthouse
Century Suite
Regency Club King
Regency Club Double
Urban Oasis King
Urban Oasis Double
Business Plan King
Business Plan Double
King Guestroom
Double Double Guestroom |
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ROOM AMENITIES
Private Lanai
Wired, state-of-the-art high-speed Internet
i-Home radio for i-Pod connectivity including am/fm alarm clock radio
32" LCD flat panel TV with in-room movies and satellite/cable channels
Internet capability through TV
Three telephones (one cordless and one in bathroom) with voicemail and speakerphone capabilities
Individual climate control
Electronic in-room safe
Marble bath, Hairdryer, Portico bath amenities
Plush terry cloth robes
Small refrigerator
Electronic mini-bar
Iron/Ironing Board
Coffee maker available upon request |
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HOTEL SERVICES
1-800-CHECK-IN®
Assistive devices for people with disabilities
Concierge
Currency exchange
Hyatt Meeting Connection®
Laundry and dry cleaning (Monday-Friday)
Same day laundry service (Monday-Friday)
Multilingual staff
Fast Board – print your boarding pass complimentary (located at Front Desk)
Gift Shop
Car Rental
Business Center - open Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 7:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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DINING
Breeze - The hotel's award-winning, signature restaurant serving seasonal California Cuisine and the freshest Sushi.
The Lobby Court & Lounge - A great spot for people watching, dining or relaxing with friends and business associates.
24-Hour Room Service. |
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ACTIVITIES
On-site: Fitness Club + Spa, Swimming Pools - infinity edge pool and three reflecting pools, Jacuzzi. A selection of cabanas are also available for relaxing in private, or if you need a break from the warm California sunshine. Pool Hours: Sunday through Saturday 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Nearby: Century City Shopping Mall (shops, restaurants, entertainment, movie theatres) - across the street; Beverly Hills / Rodeo Drive - 1 mile. |
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SPA
Spa at Equinox Century City - A 20-room oasis that delivers innovative & clinically based treatments - so you look and feel great. Entrance adjacent to the pool. |
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LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Century City Shopping Mall - across the street
Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive - 1 mile
Los Angeles County Museum of Art - 3.75 miles
Los Angeles Farmers Market - 4.25 miles
Getty Museum - 5.75 miles
Hollywood - 6.25 miles
Mann's Chinese Theater - 6.25 miles
Hollywood & Highland (entertainment, shopping) - 6.5 miles
Santa Monica beaches and pier - 7.5 miles
Griffith Park - 12 miles
Walt Disney Concert Hall - 13.75 miles
Disneyland - 38 miles |
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GETTING THERE
Hotel Address: Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, California 90067.
Airport: Los Angeles Int'l Airport (LAX) - 11 miles / 25 minutes.
Driving Directions: From LAX, take Century Boulevard East to the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405) North and exit at Santa Monica Boulevard. Turn right onto Santa Monica Boulevard, proceed 2 miles, and turn right onto Avenue of the Stars. The hotel is located 2 blocks ahead, on the right.
Valet Parking - $31.00 per day, includes in/out privileges. |
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