{
    "reviewer_name": "pillowsofwanderlust",
    "review_text": "I have stayed at The Proper DTLA a number of times recently, mostly in conjunction with the cookbook dinners held fairly often at their signature restaurant Caldo Verde. They actually encourage turning the special dinner into a staycation, offering a discounted rate to diners. The hotel has been open a few years, a stylish and carefully curated renovation of a former athletic building (YMCA?), led by famed designer Kelly Wearstler, who has done several Proper Hotels, including Santa Monica. The building's pool has been transformed into a signature suite, as has its basketball court floor. I have only stayed in their regular rooms, but have tried a number of configurations, from Deluxe Queen to Premier King with View. The design aesthetic is consistent through all room categories; the differences are in the room size and furnishings, even within a particular room category. The entry-level Deluxe Queens sometimes have the bed pushed against the wall; the table is a small, circular, café-style, the minifridge and safe are petite. The Premier Kings will have a small sofa at the foot of the bed with an oval marble-topped table, plus a larger fridge and safe plus a Nespresso machine. Bathrooms are quite variable in size, unrelated to the room category. Most have showers with a partial glass partition. My latest room's shower was petite so it had no partition or curtain, causing quite a splash on the bathroom floor. Toiletries are from Aesop, supplied in large pump dispensers. Drinking water is supplied in wine-bottle-sized glass bottles that housekeeping will replenish. Amenities include a decent-sized fitness centre, a rooftop pool (the size of a large hot tub) and sundeck, and yoga classes. There are 3 restaurants/lounges, all helmed by famed culinary team Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne. The aforementioned Caldo Verde is a beautiful airy space on the ground floor serving Portuguese/Mediterranean/California cuisine. The cookbook dinners, where guest chefs offer a special dinner for one night, often in conjunction with a cookbook, have been fabulous, but the restaurant's regular menu is also excellent, Even their breakfast is a step above. Dahlia, also on the ground floor, is a cozy cocktail lounge that just recently started offering afternoon tea on weekends. Cara Cara is the rooftop, pool-adjacent, open-air restaurant with fabulous views and an afternoon-evening menu. If you must eat off-site, I've enjoyed Pine and Crane (Taiwanese) 2 blocks west, and Cabra (Stephanie Izard) and Moonlark's Dinette, both in the Hoxton Hotel across the street. Service overall has been excellent for all of my stays, in every department. The hotel is one of Marriott Bonvoy's Design Hotels, which gives guests some Marriott benefits but is still kind of independent. I recommend reserving through the hotel's own website rather than through Marriott. I believe valet parking is $55. I've mostly used the public lot next door ($10 per 8 hours); be aware the spaces are compact and although the lot is unstaffed (pay at the machine or via QR code), they DO tow (I speak from experience). As a 'regular', I highly recommend The Proper.",
    "url": "https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g32655-d19900021-r948701253-Downtown_LA_Proper_Hotel-Los_Angeles_California.html",
    "review_response": null,
    "number_of_stars": 5,
    "rating": 4.33,
    "createdDate": "2024-04-28"
}