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Los Angeles Athletic Club
Categories: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Gyms Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Gyms, Hotels [Edit]
431 W 7th StLos Angeles, CA 90014
Neighborhood: Downtown
(213) 625-2211
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 5 am - 10 pm
Sat 8 am - 5:30 pm
Sun 9 am - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
65 reviews for Los Angeles Athletic Club
Review Highlights
"The facilities are awesome."
(in 18 reviews)
"The locker room attendants could not be more helpful or..."
(in 17 reviews)
"There is an amazing lap pool on the 6th floor overlooking..."
(in 3 reviews)
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65 reviews in English
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Review from Lisa B.
Los Angeles, CA
2/9/2012
Great club all around. This review is specifically for the squash.
I've been a squash player on and off since college. The squash group that plays here is really warn and welcoming, no matter your level. Even if you are a beginner they want you to play and get better.
The squash courts are first-rate. Members can rent court time free of charge and there is a round robin Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings. Everyone has very good sportsmanship and is willing to share tips.
There is a new club pro, JP, who is very young and energetic. League play is a bit more serious but your game will improve.
The rest of the Club is a downtown institution. You'll meet some great people and get access to a huge network of facilities. If you work downtown like I do, it is a huge increase in your QOL to have a base in this part of the city. I've used the reciprocal clubs in SF as well. -
Review from Cristian G.
Huntington Park, CA
1/13/2012 39 Check-ins Here
This review is for the gym...
As a member all i can say is i love this gym. Yes it is pricey yes its an older crowd and yes its worth every penny. There never is a line on the machines. The pool gets crowded sometimes, but everyone is more than willing to share a lane. Simply put this place is awesome i highly recommend it. Hope to see you there. -
Review from Amy T.
12/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
This gym is a treat. It's more than a gym. It's a club. The LAAC is filled with history and days of yore yet has adapted well to the 21st century. The building is amazing. Take a dip in the skylit pool and you'll instantly know why this place is a treasure. Upstairs, hop on a treadmill and find that you can actually watch videos off of your ipod. The gym is clean. The classes are great. It never gets overcrowded.
Done working out? There are two restaurants and a pool room to hang out in.
The club hosts events from tournaments to kid's camps. I don't have kids, but I can imagine that if I did I would take advantage.
The hotel is very nice. I've had my parents stay there several times and they love it. The rooms are pretty cheap for LA (around $130 for members) and they're on par if not nicer than the Marriott down the street.
One of my favorite things to do is park at the club and walk to Bottega Louie for dinner. $1.50 parking in downtown anytime? What more can a girl ask. -
Review from miss k.
Los Angeles, CA
11/24/2011
Gym Review: The club has some really gorgeous areas, is rarely crowded and really convenient parking. I like the ambience, the architectural detail, the courteous staff and the convenience.
What I don't like:
-I suspect that due to building infrastructure (big skylight and old building) and possibly due to the fact that the majority of the members are seniors, the gym is kept at a pretty warm temperature. Some people may like this but I feel uncomfortably warm, especially in the summer months.
This also means that when people get stinky BO or if someone near you is wearing perfume (happens at this club a lot with older clientele), the AC isn't on strong enough to whisk the smell away and it can be overpowering. I have changed machines more than once because I was bothered by odors.
-Old fashioned membership structure. I wanted to join this club, not my husband, and I decided that since I was joining I would pay the small fee to "add on" my spouse so we could both go. He could care less where we go to the gym. When we signed up, they said my husband must be listed as the primary member even though I was paying for everything. This means he gets a big locker free of charge while I must pay extra for a locker a third of the size and go on a waiting list for a normal size locker. All bills and club correspondence come to our house in his name. Also, they ran a credit check on him even though I was the one paying! You can't use a credit card for your membership either, you have to link to your checking account.
-Details! When you are paying this much for a club membership, the details matter. The towels are small and have seen better days. I get some new ones and I also get some that have holes torn in them. The cushions on the chairs by the pool have permanent butt indentations in them, they need to be changed out. The cups provided for water are weird coffee styrofoam cups. The shampoo is so thin it is like water. The curtains in the women's showers aren't changed out frequently enough. The spa area is outdated and has cracked tiles. The women's locker room has a waiting list that is a mile long for normal size lockers (men's locker room offers plenty of large lockers).
I probably won't stay here much longer, I gave the club a try but I don't feel like it is worth the money. -
Review from rumblyinmytumbly c.
Los Angeles, CA
10/31/2011 49 Check-ins Here
As a member of LAAC, this review is for the gym and club facilities, not the hotel.
LOVE this place!!! I kind of don't want to write a review because I don't want to give away the "secret". This is the best gym that I've ever been a member of!! Staff and fellow-members are very friendly and helpful. There's always clean towels. There's a large lap pool, basketball court, 2 work out rooms, squash courts, classes (yoga, kick-boxing, muy thai, cardio, bike, etc.)..and the best part, it's never really crowded (the reason why I don't want to write the review). If you're a Downtown LA resident or work in the area, this is a great gym to join!
The club also offers dining, including Happy Hour on Mon-Fri with free finger food starting at 5pm until it runs out (about 7pm). There's a game room with a pool table and some TVs as well. ..and I'm sure there are still some things that I have yet to discover! -
Review from Helen N.
Santa Clara, CA
10/10/2011
Pros: Friendly staff at the front desk; nice, small, clean room that came with frig, clean bathroom, and I should totally mention how comfortable the bed and pillows are!
Other pros: complimentary wi-fi and fruit plate, not sure if that was part of the company package, but thanks for the apple, banana, and crackers to go!
Cons: the room lighting was a little off.... so sometimes it felt kinda creepy... been to Hearst Castle? That's the feeling I got... alone in a dark room. The desk lamp was unstable so I couldn't position it correctly, there's two bed lamps and ceiling light but they were too dim. There's also a picture of a ghostly looking man with his shirt off framed next to the desk, I guess it's to promote fitness or something, but it's sorta creepy... I stayed here for a business trip attending classes for three days at the LA conference center. So after classes, I had to come back and work some more... the picture of the man just stares directly at me, and traveling alone can get me paranoid, so I had to avoid looking at it, ha!
Also, the room walls are gray and furniture is dark brown, and I'm a person that wears a lot of black, and with the dim light and dark furniture... everything seemed like it blended in together that I had to make sure I kept all my stuff in one place so I wouldn't forget anything when I left, yea seriously! Give me light!
Other cons, the first night had some weird scratching noise coming from the ground under. It was the weirdest sound and it went on for about an hour near midnight and then in the day it happened again, thank goodness it was just the first day cause if it continued I would have asked to get another room. Also, no bag for ice, no tea packets (only coffee), no room service after ~9pm so I had to make sure I ate dinner before getting back. Someone recommended to order ahead of time which was smart of them to do that and room service delivers it to your room.
Overall, I would stay here again, just some little things caused some inconvenience; maybe it was just my room? Never got the chance to check out the gym! -
Review from Sarah G.
Los Angeles, CA
6/12/2011
I am a member of LAAC (Gym) and I love it. It's gorgeous and easy and the people there are normal. No actors, not a bunch of ripped young guys drinking red bulls... it's an older crowd, very classy. The classes are free once you are a member. You can DRINK at 2 separate bars at the same place where you work out... SOLD!
It's like a poor man's Jonathan Club but I LOVE it and I think it's definitely the best gym downtown.
The price varies depending on your age bracket and downtown residents get a break on registration fees. -
Review from LALA D.
Los Angeles, CA
5/2/2011
My loft had a flyer from this place, so because I have been thinking of joining a gym, I decided to tour this place. It is very convenient to my job, and the parking alone would probably be worth it. There is a lot of history to this place, apparently the same family has owned this club for over a hundred years, which makes you wonder when the last time they remodeled. The advertisements show these young people looking "fierce", but really they are mad at the age of the locker rooms, the rough towels, and they pay a premium price. I would be mad too.
Now the machines are modern and new, and there is a separate area if you prefer a little privacy, and the women's lounge area has a nice place to unwind and relax. The sauna was tiny, only 2 chubby people or 3 super thin people would be able to fit at any one time. There is no view if you want to look out the window. I thought because the work out area was (I think on the 9th floor), you will be able to view the outdoors. No such luck
The amenities outside of the work out area seem nicer. Like I said, the parking is super convenient (1.50 for 5 hours) there is quite a bit of history here. I would not go in believing the hype of how wonderfully nice this place is, perhaps the men's area is much nicer.
what surprised me the most was they will want a credit report on you. You are already paying an initiation fee and a monthly fee which you pay in advance. what is up with the credit report? I'm not financing a house or car, and my membership is month to month. I don't get these places that want a credit report to use their facilities, even the utility company wants one. I have an excellent financial history, so I don't understand why this gym must know about my finances. I am not asking them for a extended credit for a prolong period of time.
I came from the Bay Club in Marin, so I don't mind paying extra for a nice place. LAAC is not in the same league. -
Review from Emil A.
Washington, DC
8/17/2011 1 photo
I visited the Los Angeles Athletic Club in July and stayed there for 3 nights. The sales manager was extremely helpful and offered me a great deal on the rooms and even late checkout versus charging for an extra night.
Once I arrived, I was greeted by Ernie who was extremely helpful and friendly when checking me in. When I went upstairs, I was pleasantly surprised at the size of the enormous room and the fruit platter that awaited me. I was offered a corner unit with lots of natural light and sleek modern furniture. The only issues with the room were that the curtains were dusty and the water closet was old while the rest of the bathroom was quite modern and updated. Every night there were chocolates left in the room-- a nice touch.
Since I was quite busy, I did not get to use the gym facilities but I did take advantage of a massage which was both well priced and well performed. The masseuse was extremely professional and did a great job working around my shoulders where I had broken my collar bones and it was probably one of the most painful--but best-- massages I have ever had.
The room also included a breakfast which was good and available in the bar/pub. I went there for dinner one night as well and the food was extremely interested. The servers were wonderful and even offered me a special hot sauce which really hit the spot.
Overall I would definitely stay here again mostly because of the wonderful service, great price, and convenience. It's great to see businesses striving for the best. -
Review from Ms M.
Los Angeles, CA
4/7/2011
I miss the days between jobs and before children when I could call into the club's concierge and request to reserve a lane for my afternoon swim.
Here, you are truly in a former LA. Where, like Charlie Chaplan, you can hide from the press. I really don't know anything more splendid than having a game of paddle tennis rooftop while the sun sets and you work through your 2nd gin and tonic.
Here, you can work out hard, have a steak and cocktail, and then take a yoga class.
I love the racket ball courts and the staff. I love the old-timers mixing with the new downtown crowd. I love seeing teens and their parents. The club room reminds me of the Atheneum Club in London- with two exceptions- they admit women member and most people sitting in the leather club chairs here are awake.
This place is great if you work downtown and need a lunchtime hide out!
(shhhh) -
Review from Amanda B.
Las Vegas, NV
6/5/2011
I stayed here as a guest during the setup for E3. I worked generally from 8 AM, had to leave the hotel by 7 AM and then until 5-6 PM each night. I am going to book my hotel room next year, because it is close and about $50-100 less than nearby hotels to the convention center.
Pros:
Rooms are nice sized, didn't feel cramped at all like many older hotels
Bed was very comfortable with enough pillows to make it so I felt like I was sleeping on a pillow pile
Morning buffet is good, with yogurt, omelets, bacon, and fruit
Close enough to walk to the convention center within 25-30 minutes
Being in an Athletic Club made me want to work out while I was here
A no tipping policy
Friendly staff
Cons:
The pool/gym/sauna closes at 5 PM on weekends so those days I did not get to work out at all. Very annoying when in other hotels their workout rooms are 24 hour or close to.
The morning buffet is labeled as casual but you are seated at a table and it feels a little too much like 'ladies who lunch' for me. I have to be quick in the morning. Plus there is a no cell phone policy which I am both a fan of and loathe. It means I get a quiet meal, but at the same time it means that I can't really take advantage of the buffet since I need my cell on for work.
Not enough free weights for the women: I would have liked to have seen more smaller free weights.
Overall it was a good hotel and I think next year I might take advantage of the spa on site if the hours work with my schedule. -
Review from Tyler V.
San Diego, CA
12/21/2011
Great wood bar and dining rooms that takes you back in time. The rooftop was a nice place to relax on a sunny day and our hotel room was clean and spacious. Too bad the surrounding area is still in need of some TLC.
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Review from PuppyCat K.
Los Angeles, CA
2/22/2011
I so so so wanted to love this place! It really is 2 things. If you want a social club, sometimes work out and more of a sort of country club type deal - then this place would probably get 5 stars. LAAC has a great history, the building is beautiful and the pool is amazing.
BUT...
If you want a gym - with good cardio equipment, great trainers and up to date shower facilities - go down the street to Gold's. It's considerably cheaper and it's more the standard gym atmosphere.
At over $100 a month - I really feel I just wasn't using it enough to warrant the price. And when, yet once again I couldn't get a machine I wanted, I felt it was time for a switch - to a gym that has more machines - in working order that is only $25/month. -
Review from Chris C.
Toluca Lake, CA
12/10/2010
When did I become so blessed? Consecutive visits to what-has-to-be two of the finest Art Deco structures in Los Angeles has me feelin' like I'm trapped in some sort of film noir (minus the murder plot, rapid-fire dialogue, and 40's backdrop, that is).
Came here for an office party. Was enamored with the interior design from minute one. Fueled by two Mai Tai's, I decided to explore as much of the building as possible before being ejected or questioned. Lucky for me, I was never detected. Lucky for you, this means a comprehensive review.
Upon entering the 2nd floor (the area in which our gathering was held) the words 'Hunting Lodge' immediately popped into my brain, as wooden walls adorned with scenes of victory greeted my arrival. This level seemed to primarily cater towards visitors and mixers as it contained two great rooms, one bar/lounge area, one ballroom, one horde of older gentlemen in orange sport coats (though, I'm assuming they weren't part of the permanent surroundings) and one men's bathroom large enough to comfortably fit a horde of older gentlemen in orange sport coats.
The requisite swimming pool, basketball court, free weights, spa, etc. were all huddled on the 7th or 8th floors. Aside from the fact that one would be able to stare at a portion of the Los Angeles skyline while pumping iron, I really didn't notice much difference between this gym and one operated by 24 hour fitness.
Apparently, a hotel consumes much of the building's upper half. But, believing I had pushed my luck enough, I 'chickened out' and retreated back towards the single digit floors.
As expected, you will pay handsomely for a cocktail within this establishment. Those Mai Tai's I was referencing were $12 a pop...minus tip! Also, the drink was incredibly weak (I feel bad saying this because the bartender was so nice, but...). Anyway, any shortcomings about their libations were quickly eradicated by their food. I will tell you one thing: Somebody in the Los Angeles Athletic Club knows how to cook! If you are ever fortunate enough to dine here, I would highly recommend either the pork roast or tilapia.
However, the greatest thing about the Los Angeles Athletic Club was not its view or its food, but, rather, the wing footed logos which adorned the door of every public elevator. For a fan of 1930's era design concepts, these emblems, alone, were worth the price of admission (which I'm guessing is a $12 Mai Tai). -
Review from Dakota D.
Chicago, IL
10/1/2011
I love everything about this club. They've got everything and the employees are the most amazing team out there. Each team member at LAAC treats their members with respect and kindness. The gym is clean and in the center of town. Tonight, I worked out until 6, then went and had dinner, then ran over to Big Lots. I just love Downtown LA and without LAAC it wouldn't be the same.
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Review from Charles K.
Aliso Viejo, CA
12/17/2010
LAAC, why are you so awesome?
I don't get how they do it; maybe it's the ambiance, the decor, the amazing staff--I don't know, the list goes on and on. But only good things can be said about this place.
My friend and I had to find lodging for a week or so in the downtown area, and, after much soul searching, we concluded that the LA Athletic Club offers the best prices for what you get. Our assumptions weren't too far from the truth.
After parking, we proceeded to check-in. Stepping into the lobby felt like stepping back in time; did I all of a sudden get transported to Gilded Age New York or something? What's up with the decor? What happened to all the ritzy minimalist lines and overly excessive use of marble? Where did the Sheratons and Ritz-Carltons go? Well, not that I'm complaining; the decor was absolutely wonderful. Gave the place an eloquent air without it being pretentious. The whole place feels a bit out of place in the grand scheme of Downtown LA, like someone went back to the early 1900's and warped in the building back to the 2000's. Again, I totally don't mind; LA could use more places like this anyway.
The staff gets high marks for...well, everything, pretty much. It's clear that many of them take pride in what they do, as they should; almost every staff member did their job extraordinarily well, from the people running the check-in counter to the maids that cleaned our room.
We were greeted by a welcome basket full of goodies upon entering our room. The basket had pretty standard fare; a handful of fruits and some chocolates were inside, along with a knife for cutting some of the fruit. The room itself was a throwback to the 1900's, in line with the ambiance/decor of the rest of the building. Among the amenities included were a nightstand, desk, closet, bathrobe (which I was very tempted to purchase), a TV, and, of course, room service. Everything one needs to live comfortably, more or less.
Breakfast was always a treat. Along with the typical continental breakfast fare (muffins, cereal, yogurt, yadda yadda), they had chefs working on hot plates, preparing custom-made omelettes. To sweeten the deal, it's AYCE, and entirely complimentary. Couldn't get much better than that.
Even though we were allowed to make use of the athletic facilities during our stay, we never really got around to it. On the last day of my stay, I decided to look around the place a bit just to get a feel for what the facilities were like. Some of the stuff is a bit dated, but the facilities were all well-appointed nonetheless. You could definitely get a full-body workout here, without a doubt.
Overall, if I had to stay in the downtown area again, I'd pick LAAC without giving it a second thought. -
Review from Sylvia L.
Anaheim Hills, CA
9/11/2010
My boyfriend hasn't been feeling well and thought it'd be a good idea to stay at this hotel and use some of the athletic amenities. We got a pretty good deal on travelzoo and the stay came with a complimentary breakfast buffet. Eh. My bf's sausage was still pink on the inside and the scrambled eggs were very watery. I nibbled on some of the bacon and we both ended up having Raisin Bran- just don't eat the breakfast buffet I guess.
The hotel room was average. It had a flat screen t.v. and a king sized bed. No extra room and not really much of a view but I guess that's what you get for it being downtown L.A. -
Review from Tina T.
Honolulu, HI
Just checked in here and boy was I pleasantly surprised. The facilities are awesome! For $160 a night for a single king size room and $170 for a double queen bed I think this is the best deal in town. Also the staff have been enormously friendly and helpful. Jose at catering, Ernie at Front desk, Enrique at Duke's restaurant are all great people and it shows that they care about their patrons' satisfaction with the club. The gym and the pool is unbeatable, wifi is complimentary with the room. The meeting rooms are very spacious and gives an classy East coast feel. I just stayed at the Yale Club in NY and this is pretty similar in style if not more updated and better. Parking is also the best deal in town, $12 for a full day. If I'm ever in town again in need for a hotel room this is the place I want to be.
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Review from teri r.
Santa Rosa, CA
12/29/2010
The rooms are nice.
The "spa" experience was atrocious. To begin with to make an appointment you have to write it in their book but the girl didn't know how much time to block out becuase she didn't know how long it would take. So my sister's appointment, (which was after mine) was at an undetermined time. Very unprofessional.
Then when I went into the room the nail technician didn't have her license posted! Very shady!
The whole experience was very uncomfortable as I had to put my feet in her lap for the pedicure part and bend my knee. Not my idea of relaxing!
I could get a better mani/pedi at the mall! -
Review from Tanja F.
San Jose, CA
9/7/2010
This review is of our stay in the hotel. Besides having breakfast, we had a full agenda elsewhere so we did not get to check out the rest of the facilities.
I found this hotel through a promotion on http://travelzoo.com. I was not disappointed. Everyone who worked here was so nice, friendly and welcoming. The hotel was very high end without being obnoxious or pretentious. The room was spacious, clean and tastefully decorated.
Through our promotion, we had vouchers for a free breakfast. Other hotels, that I have stayed at, when you walk in with a voucher they basically ignore you and hope that you go away quickly. Not this place! Our servers were attentive and super friendly. I can't emphasize enough how impressed I was with not only the food but the staff.
My only regret was that we couldn't stay longer. Next time that I am in town, I am definitely going to book with the LAAC again!Listed in: Places that make me smile
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Review from john n.
Los Angeles, CA
4/16/2011
Poor parking, fees that reflect age discrimination and hidden costs abound. It has a good bar with a mediocre restaurant and an Ok hotel but with not for the price. Hours are unfriendly for folks that work unusual hours (i.e. 10 hours per day).
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Review from taryn b.
Culver City, CA
10/2/2010
This place is the nicest gym I have encountered in LA. It is older, but all of the equipment is up to date and it never seems to be crowded, at all. I haven't actually utilized most of the things in the gym since I am not a member, but come here for physical therapy. By doing so, I am allowed to use the facilities on the day of my appointments and I wish I had time to take advantage of them!
There is an amazing lap pool on the 6th floor overlooking the jewelry district's old buildings. The women's locker room is HUGE with everything you could ever imagine: blow dryers, big fluffy towels, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, lemon infused water, coffee, tea, women painting their nails after they shower....literally everything!
I wish membership was cheaper, I don't know exactly how much it is, but my guess by the looks of the clientèle is that it is too expensive for me. Oh well, I get to enjoy the amenities for another 2 weeks while I get my back straightened out :) -
Review from Johnny R.
10/18/2010
I stayed here while in town for a conference. I had my misgivings as we rolled through a dingy transitioning section of LA... But in actuality the neighborhood was safe. I actually went to Octopus, a Japanese restaurant a few blocks away and it was fine.
The hotel/club itself is pretty cool. The room I had on the 10th floor was really nice, and it was $159 per night. It came with complimentary buffet hot breakfast, and I partook of the custom omelets on all three days of my stay.
I would definitely stay there again if it's convenient to my travel plans. I did not use the work-out facilities but it seemed like they were very popular. -
Review from Not M.
Los Angeles, CA
7/19/2010
I came to the gym on a free pass, and at the going rate of $90 a month for members under 30 years old, I was really surprised by the deteriorated shape of the women's locker room. It was pretty clean, but it was old, dark, and run-down; cloth shower curtains hung on metal hooks, dark lighting, old dark carpet, etc. Maybe the men's locker room is better kept. There was a gaggle of older women on the couches watching TV and drinking free coffee and talking about how to work out while traveling, but no one was actually working out. Maybe it's THAT kind of place.
However, the pool is pristine, large, uncrowded, and deep. Everyone else in the gym can watch you swim from their cardio machines, though, so if you're shy, you may not be a fan.
Their website and their ads are way hipper, cooler, and nicer than this place itself actually is, if that tells you anything. -
Review from Scott M.
Los Angeles, CA
12/19/2010
If you are coming to LA for a business trip or a trip for a Lakers/Clippers/Kings game, this is a great place. The hotel retains all the charm from when it was a members only location and still has that feel about it.
I don't know if I would stay here as a vacation hotel, but for a road warrior business man, it is hard to beat. It has a great downtown location. -
Review from Christina M.
Somerville, MA
5/31/2010 5 photos
This review is for the hotel only. My sister and I were in LA for the Annual Conference of the Association of Museums this past week. We wanted to stay somewhere that was close to the convention center, but also near public transportation. After researching a few of the area hotels, I decided on the LAAC, and I am soooooo glad that I did. From the reservation process to the actual stay, everything was wonderful.
My experience started positively with a friendly phone call with Teri Oronato. She was very nice on the phone and set up my reservation for a double queen room with no problems, and at a discounted rate of $144 a night. Compared to the other downtown hotels in the area, the LAAC offered so many wonderful amenities that could not be beat. These included an affordable nightly rate, $8 overnight car parking, free wi-fi internet, complimentary buffet breakfast, complete access to the athletic facilities and classes, and a complimentary plate of cheese,crackers, and fruit to welcome you on your first night.
On top of all of this, the hotel rooms were very snazzy, and I liked the gentleman's club decor. Since everything has been recently renovated, the hotel floors look new and stylish. The beds were super comfortable...in fact I wish I could take the bed home with me because I can't remember when I slept so well! Each room is also equipped with your standard desk, night stand, arm chair, mini fridge, and safe, which was nice too. I especially liked the radio clock which had the capability to connect your iPod and listen to music.
The buffet breakfast was tasty, and the service was great. They have everything you could possibly want to eat, including cereal, pastries, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, french toast, hash browns, fresh fruit, yogurt, coffee and juices. Plus, if that weren't enough, they also have a mini waffle and omelet station, where the cook is happy to make any combination of ingredients you want.
Proximity-wise, the hotel was also centrally located, right in downtown LA, with multiple main bus lines taking you all over the city, and the Metro 7th Station a short 5 minute walk away. Everyone told me I was crazy to think I could get around LA via public transportation, but it really wasn't a problem at all, and I was able to get to places like the Convention Center, Hollywood Blvd and the La Brea Tar pits with no problem. There are also a lot of great restaurants nearyby, the Macy's Plaza (Macy's, Express, Victoria's Secret, etc.), 7-11, Bank of America, etc.
If I ever go to LA again in the future, I would book with the hotel at the LAAC in a heart beat. It really was such a comfortable and wonderful experience, and I can't recommend it enough. Trust me...it's the best kept hotel secret in town! -
Review from Peggy K.
Orange County, CA
5/12/2010
If looking for a gym to join in DTLA look no further. (And don't get turned off by its "private membership" status.)
Despite having a small, fully functional gym at our building, I needed classes to keep me motivated and my husband needed a true lap pool. I was a little worried that the classes would be "blah" - catered to busy corporate-types - but I was thoroughly impressed with the quality of instructors and quality of the classes. Each class I took was on par with any good gym in LA. Cardio Kick Boxing, Yoga, Spinning etc. There are a ton of cardio machines, a fabulous pool, a running track, and plenty of free weights and machines.
If you live in DTLA and are under 30 years old, the membership price is very competitive with the major fitness club chains. -
Review from Matt P.
Los Angeles, CA
1/26/2008
For this review, I'd like to begin by drawing from one of my statements in a recent talk thread: "Man bush is never okay. Having just spent a particularly scarring afternoon in the LAAC men's locker room, I can say with some confidence that if your penis is wearing an afro, you (and it) are living in the past." Yes, hairy old men put their hirsute equipment on full display for everyone to enjoy here in the men's locker room. You wanna see ass to couch? Go check out the buck naked seating area around the TV. Bring your cigars. And by all means, enjoy the fine patina of the gym towels here at the LAAC, which like so many things here at the club, have not changed since the 1940s... Man, if these towels could talk? "Please take me home and burn me."
So apparently this place has been around for a long time. Like a real long time. And boy, let me tell you, it looks like it. And it definitely smells like it. This is absolutely on my list of "Places that make me feel like I've stepped into a Kubrick film" simply for the fact that it's got a Hotel which nobody ever uses (great place to cheat on your wife!) and raging rivers of blood that occasionally erupt from the elevator doors whenever a child rides his tricycle through the lobby... well, maybe not the last part, but you get the idea.
One time I dined at the little sports bar downstairs and partook of the fried chicken sandwich. I do not believe I will be partaking ever again.
For what it's worth, Jordan M loves this place. I mean LOVES this place. Probably because of the many elitist nonsense rules like "Casual and workout clothing is not permitted in the lobby." And seeing as you can't get to the gym without first passing through the lobby, there's allegedly no getting around this (and in case you're wondering: jeans, sneakers, and t-shirts do indeed fall under the banner of "casual" wear). Now, whether or not anybody is actually enforcing this rule is beyond me because every single time I've been dragged to this place, Jordan has nearly had a coronary about the dress code so I've never tried getting past the front desk in anything but my tuxedo. Maybe that's just Jordan, though.Listed in: I feel like I'm in a Stanley…
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Review from Jim M.
Altadena, CA
2/6/2007
Like many of you, I wasn't born here in California. In fact, growing up, I held the standard East Coast-y belief that California, and particuarly Southern California, was populated by kooks.
Ok, I turn out to have been right about that, but in the most fun and awesome way possible. I came for a visit when I was 22 and was hooked on everything about the place, especially the way traditional things get tossed aside and replaced by barbeque chicken pizza, the Internet, and Frank Gehry designs.
Still, and I know other East Coasties will relate, there's something about the wood-paneled, traditional atmosphere of some of the great old clubs, restaurants and buildings in Boston or NYC that is hard not to love. Settling down into a big, overstuffed leather club chair next to a heavy granite table near the billiards room while sipping a gin martini should be part of everyone's life sometimes.
For me, the LAAC provides that. It's a gorgeous old building (1918) that the new owners are gradually renovating. In the last year or so, the pool, basketball court, walk-in humidor and a few other places have gotten Extreme Makeovers, and I understand that the 70's-rific snack bar is due to be turned into a super-fancy new millenium juice bar shortly too.
Let me say that if you're just looking for a cheap, adequate place to sweat off your Scoops, you don't need the LAAC. It is a top-notch athletic facility, with lots of treadmills, bikes, weights, climbing machines, and rowing machines, plus two pools, plus a full-size basketball court, plus several racquetball and squash courts, an excellent indoor running track, pilates and yoga studios and full-size locker rooms with saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, big fluffy white towels and all the rest. It's got everything for athletes.
As Lucien-frederic pointed out though, the other big benefit of membership in LAAC (yes, it's expensive) is the social side. As a way to entertain for business or as a place to organize events, LAAC is great. The location is central, and downtown is getting more and more popular. The club is very flexible with helping get events set up in no small part because of Cory Hathaway's hard work. I've done several large events there for my alumni association and on behalf of the L.A. Press Club and it works very well. The catering is good and the service is so much better and more attentive than you find in restaurants.
I also have had many informal gatherings and just business lunches, and the atmosphere is very conducive to building good business relationships.
In short, I strongly recommend membership to anybody who needs to entertain for business, likes Downtown or is looking for an excellent athletic facility.
The club has a great heritage, too. In addition to being a supporter of the Olympic movement from before the games started and sending tons of members to the games as athletes, it's also a club that has been a leader in non-discriminatory admissions policies with minorities and women. -
Review from Sid P.
Los Angeles, CA
1/27/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Hands down the best gym experience and hotel value in Los Angeles - if you are a man (it originally was a men's club which only recently in the club's history started allowing women members as a side venture due to a court ruling).
Thus - the men's locker room and facilities are far superior to the ones offered to the ladies (maybe rather than complain they should try Curves...?).
Where to begin...
The steam room, sauna, jacuzzi and cold dip pool - all first class.
The locker room attendants could not be more helpful or cordial.
The entire facility is kept clean and tight.
The restaurants for a gym/hotel are top notch (please don't tell me about how it's not the Four Seasons or L'Ermitage - those places are four times the price for a room and should be that much better - but neither have the workout/sport facilities).
Squash and raquet-ball courts are some of the best in the city.
The hotel rooms for the money are one of the best values in LA.
The art deco olympic swimming pool is amazing to look at as well as to swim in.
This is just overall a very top notch facility.
And it's the few gems like the LA Athletic Club that truly shine in a second rate town (c'mon - admit - LA is nowhere near London/Paris/New York/Chicago/Shanghai/San Francisco or Rome - and if you think it is then you sincerely need to get out and about more). -
Review from Jay S.
Fremont, CA
6/4/2009
This review is specifically for the gym.
I gave it 3 stars because I think it is just an "A-OK" gym. Based on the reviews given here I decided to try out this club assuming it to be one of the better gyms in Los Angeles. I checked out the website and it certainly exaggerates how nice this gym is. As a USC student it was $100 initiation fee with a monthly fee of $61. It was up to my discretion how many months I planned to be with the Club.
I took the tour and checked everything out. I certainly must disagree with other reviewers who say that this club has virtually every weight machine known to man. LAAC definitely has a good selection but I felt that it lacks some useful machines. The machines that they do have are really good but I have seen better.
The weight room area is just one floor above the open pool. Perhaps I'm just not that used to it but I did find the smell of the pool to be a bit nauseating during my work out. I do want to note that the pool and the basketball court is absolutely amazing and very well done.
Architecturally the LAAC is gorgeous. Personally though, that is not a selling point when I'm choosing a gym.
By far the biggest disappointment of this gym is its locker rooms. For the men the locker rooms immediately reminded me of those in the Lyon Center. The lockers were much smaller than those I have used at other gyms and I found it to be a bit cramped. Also the whole showering ordeal seemed a bit weird to me because there were no curtains. I didn't have any psychological problems exposing myself to the middle aged scuba man next to me but I did make the walkway wet because the water kept spraying outside of my tiny showering space. Finally, I did find the club to have a bit of an odor. It wasn't bad...maybe it was just the smell of "old."
Overall this club is "A-OK." The weight room I would give a 7/10, basketball court 9/10, swimming pool 10/10, and the locker room 5/10. The people working here are really nice and helpful. The impression I got from this gym was that the owners are committed to improving this gym and I wouldn't be surprised if the flaws I've pointed out are improved in the next couple years. It is a bummer that you do have to pay for parking ($1.50 for 5 hours) but I guess that's expected in LA. I've been a member of the Wellbridge Club in Cambridge and Club Sport in Fremont and I'm comparing the LAAC against both of those.
I know it may be expensive but if you are looking for a more up to date, and in my opinion better, gym go to the LA Sports Club. They have better equipment, more space, cleaner facilities, and more amenities.
I hope I didn't offend any of you LAAC lovers; this is just my take on the gym. -
Review from ... ..
CA
2/5/2007
A friend of mine invited me there ...and it's really cool...huge amenities, well designed, clean spa, confortable and quiet, clean large cotton towels everywhere, shoe shining service, they often organize party's and stuff and you have your own locker with your name on it ! yuhh ! it's just a gym like they all should be . (Ok the deco is sometimes kind of Los Angeles neo-psychedelic 70's style Jacky Brown influence but It's Ok with me...)
The only problems are their short and narrow schedule + their monthly fee which is around $150 according to the deal you made with their office.
I just wonder if I will sign up to this place...because that the only gym where I felt asleep on my rest chair in the spa area after some sauna, jacuzi and cold bath. -
Review from amanda b.
Carrboro, NC
4/17/2009
This review is for the hotel only. LAAC has an attractive lobby and dining room which fit nicely with the art nouveau heritage of the building. The location is also reasonably convenient- right in the business district. There's not a ton going on in the way of nightlife but it's close to the metro. I found the staff to be extremely friendly, outgoing and helpful, especially in the dining room. However, I'm told that I'm an uptight East Coaster, and that this is the norm for California (Along with easygoing drivers.. suddenly *I* was the aggressive jerk on the road!). The complimentary breakfast is full service, with an omelet bar and other high quality hot food along with a yogurt and fruit bar. There is also a business center ie alcove with internet access and printing, also complimentary. I had it all to myself until 6am. Must not be many other uptight East Coasters there..
Unfortunately, the standard fell dramatically when it came to the rooms themselves. My room was large, but very dim. Even with every light on- including the fluorescent light in the bathroom- getting ready was awkward and ironing was worse. I was also unimpressed by the un-cushioned caving-in mattress. The windows actually opened though, which was a tremendous plus and worth a star on its own. There's also rooftop access.
The fruits and cheese and crackers they left in the room were also appreciated. -
Review from L W.
Los Angeles, CA
10/7/2011
The equipment is good but the gym has a strange feel. Maybe because its run down in certain parts and stiff. I usually look forward to going to the gym, but not to this one. It does get the job done though.
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Review from Chris S.
Los Angeles, CA
5/17/2007
Duke's (located with-in the club) is an awesome place to grab lunch. I had the Pastrami sandwich. It was pretty amazing, it's grilled to perfection, not too greasy and not too dry. It comes on a roll that has been grilled lightly on the inside and braised with a wonderful mustard seed sauce. The cheese is lightly melted and clings perfectly to the pastrami.
From what I have heard other menu items, such as the steak sandwich are delicious as well. If you ever find yourself with-in the L.A. Athletic Club, make a stop inside Duke's, you'll be glad you came.Listed in: It's Going Down...
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Review from Katie K.
Los Angeles, CA
7/2/2007
I went here on Friday afternoon for an office party. The room we had was the perfect size for the event - big tables, room to mingle around, soft comfy couches- everything we needed was in there.
The servers were good, but the good was just okay. I had the vegetarian dish which was veggie ravioli. Everyone else had the salmon, and said the same. The parking was a little confusing, too, but we figured it out eventually.
They did, however, allow us to be as loud as we wanted, and we were a pretty rowdy bunch. So points for that. -
Review from Doris C.
New York, NY
8/3/2007
I grew up in this gym, and when i went to USC i practically lived here. It's everything you need in a gym, decent food, full bar, and a place to work on your fitness. It might sound ironic that i go to this gym to just eat, sleep, and occasionally go on the elliptical, but i love it!
LAAC gives you the option to go food hop. They have a sports bar that serves a good french dip with curly french fries, and if you want something healthy you could get the turkey pita sandwich. Then you have a lounge area on the 3rd floor, where they serve free snacks from 5:30- 8! And if you're still hungry you could hit up the 8th floor for the complimentary popcorn and get a smoothie.
The workout classes are really good here too. I took a boot camp here and it really kicked my ass. The yoga class is good, but the pillates with Cheryl is amazing. She really knows how to kick your butt. They have enough cardio equipment and there's a mini gym on the 6th floor, where the olympic size pool is.
Plus, they provide a skin care lady in the women's locker room. She's really good at waxing and facials at a reasonable price! And also, you can park your car at the gym and walk to the local bars. -
Review from Tiffany R.
Boise, ID
3/29/2008
This is such a great place to workout as well as have an event.
We are members of the facility and also had out wedding on the roof top. What a beautiful view and dancing under the few stars that were able to show through that night was Divine.
The service was spectacular as well as the food... ask for the choc. hearts...yummy
This is also great place to stop and have an drink before heading out on the town. -
Review from Maria F.
Los Angeles, CA
4/21/2011
What a cool hotel. The rooms are gorgeous for a very reasonable rate. Plus it's like a block away from Bottega Louie and Seven Grand.
Yes, you have to pay for parking, but it's much less than you would pay at a place like the Standard. -
Review from Nikki U.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 6/14/2009
Okay -- I just had my wedding here... a gay wedding at that (we did the legal one before California voters brought prop 8 upon us) -- and it was fantastic.
The wedding and event staff were absolutely darling to work with. When we had trouble with our cake (they were switching vendors), Kelly actually drove to Hansen's to pick up cake samples for us. We had a great tasting and tried nearly everything in our price range and some things above, even though we weren't considering. We had a great experience with Kelly and Jose coordinating our vendors for the event - the florist and the DJ they recommended actually gave us the best deals and really knew the club. The day before the event, we had a super fun rehersal and the day of - it was just magical, if it weren't so personal, I'd post my wedding pictures here...
Everyone loved the classy bar and the class event space. The conference rooms are so old school that they made for awesome bridal suites (they had no problem putting together two of them!)...
But for the first time, we got to stay in the hotel instead of being just members of the club and coming in for events and to work out. The hotel is not a tre luxury hotel but it's old and charming. The wedding suite was great - warm fluffy towels, great bathrobes, huge huge bed and a great place for all of our gifts to be brought up to (thanks) before we got up there for our big night...
The hotel staff and the club staff are great. Maria and George at the bar are just classy classy folks - and one of the great things about being a member is that tip is always included (and drinks are always fairly reasonable) so you never have to worry about shorting anyone for their great service. Everyone is courteous and lovely.
As for the gym - the trainers are great even if you don't work out with them. The only negative- there aren't TVs on each cardio machine except two of the newer ones - so it's a little bit old school. But the pool is absolutely divine - it is the oldest indoor pool in LA, I believe, and there is this fantastic celing that lets the light beam in. Eddie and Mohammed are great.
Plus if you ever get injured, there's PT right inside the gym - which is pretty nice. And I've been injured. The PT guys work with the training staff, and if you want, they'll keep an eye on you even after you're well...
Generally, everyone at this place makes you feel like you are a wealthy socialite, but the price of belonging is really reasonable, especially if you live downtown. I really heart this place and the staff - it's a gem.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/2/2008
I love the LAAC -- every visit feels like a mini vacation. What some posters haven't noted is that… Read more »
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