This luxurious business hotel is located in the L.A. LIVE center, an enormous restaurant and entertainment complex that's helping to revitalize downtown L.A. But the Ritz's built-up surroundings belie the quiet, intimate luxury found within. From the wood-paneled lobby to the big, beautiful rooms, it's clear that no corners were cut at this 123-room hotel. It's the extras -- decadent bathrooms, orchids throughout the building, boldly colored modern art, sleek restaurant design, and rooftop pool with beautiful views of L.A. -- that make the hotel feel truly elegant. The location next to the Staples Center and Microsoft Theater make it a good option for leisure travelers as well.

The 877-room hotel JW Marriott is located in the L.A. LIVE center -- also home to the smaller, 123-room Ritz-Carlton -- as well as many restaurants, a bowling alley, nightclub, Grammy museum, the Staples Center, and the Microsoft Theater. The hotel is sleek and tastefully decorated, with an inviting and modern atrium-style lobby and splashes of color spicing up the predominantly white rooms. While it’s certainly a step up from a regular Marriott (as you would expect from the nicer JW chain), it falls short of being truly luxurious, like its neighbor the Ritz-Carlton.

The L.A. Hotel Downtown's upscale elegance is immediately clear -- impeccably manicured landscaping surrounds a sweeping reflective-glass facade. Inside, the expansive lobby is chic, with cream marble floors, large black columns, and multiple glass chandeliers. The 469 spacious rooms have a contemporary style with a soft color scheme that's contemporary and attractive, while not being over the top. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers, but not minibars, like at JW Marriott. The hotel draws a business-traveler crowd, and the style is definitely a step above most corporate hotels, though couples are also frequent guests and can be seen congregating at the bar. 

The 176-room Luxe City Center Hotel is an upscale property that attracts business travelers as well as concert-goers because of its location in downtown Los Angeles, near L.A. LIVE and Staples Center. Its guest rooms are stylish and equipped with 42-inch flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffeemakers, and spacious walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. The on-site restaurant and patio lounge offer scenic city views, and other features include a small gym and an on-call spa technician, but no pool. There's no outdoor pool or 24-hour fitness center here, like at L.A. Hotel Downtown, but that hotel charges for Wi-Fi (which is free in all areas of Luxe City Center).