Drinking in LA (Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles)

Member Name: flodombey

Product:	Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles
Date:	29/01/09 (34 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amazing views

Disadvantages: Expensive for drinks

I wish we could have afforded to stay at this hotel on my recent trip to LA, however we couldnt so stayed at a budget chain hotel a mile or so away - but we used the hotel bars a lot and got to see the rooms due to a friend of ours being based here, we were very impressed.

Firstly - the rooms were lovely, big, clean and with cracking views over the LA skyline, these were particularly impressive at night. All the hotel staff we encountered were incredibly polite and our friend who was staying there was nothing but complimentary about them.

We used the downstairs sports bar a couple of time to watch basketball games, they are so hot on IDing you in there, I was 28 at the time of my visit but they would not serve me unless I had my passport with me, on the one night I forgot the same waiter who had served us a couple of times previously still refused, pointing out that he could be sacked for serving someone without ID even though he knew I was in fact over 21. So - tip number one, if you are fortunate enough to look young make sure you carry idea, they are hot on this all over the states but in LA particularly so.

Now the most magical thing about this hotel is the Skybar. Located on the top floor this is a cocktail bar with floor to ceiling windows and panoramic 360 degree views and it also ROTATES! This really does make for the most fantastic drinks experience, all round the edges of the bar are little groups of chairs and tables, all facing outwards so you can enjoy the view, on the 'inside' of the circular room are lots of booth style seats, again arranged facing the windows, so you can slowly watch Hollywood and Sunset Blvd and the rest slide by while you sip your drink.

Tip number 2 - make sure you check where you are sitting before you go to to the toilet, ie look at who is sat at the tables around you. This is because (as we rather humorously discovered) your table will not be where you left it when you return. Although it doesnt feel like you are rotating very fast its quicker than you think, the toilets are back on non-moving ground by the elevators in the central core of the room so its kind of like stepping on/off a moving roundabout and when you get back on it after 5 mins powdering your nose its completely disorienting! Very funny to watch your friends do it though.

Staff were excellent up in the sky bar too, its more pricey than the standard bars as you would expect, we were drinking Bellini's with champagne at around $7 per glass. We went back another night and stuck with beer though and this was much more reasonably priced, around $3.50.

It was never particularly busy when we were there, one saturday night we got relegated to the booth seats but this was no particular hardship anyway, I think maybe the prices put tourists/residents off but its too far from the trendy hangouts of Sunset, Hollywood and Vine to be full of yound wannabes. Despite being only half full at times the atmosphere is lively and enjoyable.

For a stunning place to catch up with friends, check out the city scape over drinks or just to (literally) watch the world slide by, this place is a fantastic choice. If you get the chance then check it out and have a peach bellini for me!

Summary: A real treat and a fantastic place for pre-dinner drinks