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My Review

My stay at Freehand in downtown Los Angeles far exceeded my expectations. From the first encounter with the valet, we were treated with such kindness and respect. The valet, front desk people, hotel manager, baristas, and bar workers were all friendly as can be. That top-tier hospitality is what I look for most in a stay, and Freehand delivered start to finish.

The rooftop pool was the highlight of my stay. Pink umbrellas and lounge chairs surround the water, and classic skyscraper views give the feeling of a New York City club. The Broken Shaker bar beside the pool was hopping all day long. The space oozed camaraderie and positive energy.

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Our Deluxe King Room boasted the most gorgeous natural light, with four giant windows letting in the sunshine and offering amazing views of the downtown historic district. The king bed mattress wasn’t anything special, but everything was clean and tidy. The pillows were perfect!

I was a fan of the old bathroom tiling and retro furniture. Some might consider it outdated, but the older accents and decor lent to the historic charm of the old LA Commercial Exchange building-turned-hotel. Besides, my attention was on the incredible views from every angle of our corner room.

I explored the Exchange Restaurant after-hours, which is gorgeously designed with original hand-tiled floors, hardwood tables, and live plants. I would have loved to dine there, but the timing wasn’t in the cards. The Paper8 art and apparel store next to the lobby was a delight to peruse, too.

We visited a sports bar to partake in March Madness across from Crypto.com Arena, which is less than a 15-minute walk from the Freehand lobby. I was surprised by how close we were to such an iconic attraction. If you’re a Lakers, Sparks, or Kings fan, this location is sports heaven.

Downtown Los Angeles has gotten a bad rap for years. I won’t deny that there are areas I don’t recommend visiting. Most big city downtown locations share that trait. However, the Historic Core, Financial District, and Arts District have changed my opinion of the place. These areas are vibrant and teeming with great food and fun things to do.

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I highly recommend staying at Freehand. I’ve seldom stayed at a place with such great value for such an affordable price. The hospitality, room options, and rooftop paradise made it one of my favorite stays in a long time. If you want to stay in Los Angeles on a budget, I don’t think you can beat Freehand.

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Pros & Cons

About the Location

Freehand is located in the historic district of downtown Los Angeles in the old Commercial Exchange building. Notable nearby attractions include Crypto Arena (hello Lakers, Sparks, and Kings!), Dodger Stadium, Koreatown, Chinatown, and Little Tokyo. There are many metro stations surrounding the hotel, and Union Station is 1.7 miles away.

I didn’t feel unsafe, but I did encounter a few strange characters while walking the streets around Freehand. Also, note that the homeless population is fairly large in the downtown LA neighborhoods. Don’t wander downtown alone at night; the areas get a little dicey after dark.