Freehand Los Angeles
Best for travelers who want downtown history, a prominent rooftop bar/pool scene, and a more casual, social hotel experience.
Hotel comparison guide
Freehand Los Angeles vs Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
Freehand Los Angeles is a 1924 landmark hotel in Downtown LA focused on social rooftop life and affordable-design rooms; read this if you want historic character, a lively rooftop bar, and easy access to downtown attractions. Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles at Beverly Hills is a large, renovated 5-star hotel in Century City; read this if you want full-service luxury, a big meeting footprint, and a more polished suburban-LA location.
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Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
Best for travelers who want a large, full-service luxury hotel with extensive meeting space, an on-site spa, and a Century City address near Westfield Century City and Rodeo Drive.
Quick Verdict: Freehand Los Angeles vs Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
When Freehand Los Angeles wins: choose Freehand if you prioritize downtown location (walking distance to museums, Crypto.com Arena, and Grand Central Market), a celebrated rooftop bar (Broken Shaker) and a lively, social atmosphere with more affordable, design-forward rooms.
When Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles at Beverly Hills wins: choose the Fairmont Century Plaza for a traditional luxury stay—larger rooms with private balconies, a full-service spa, 24-hour fitness, valet and electric car charging, and a property designed for big meetings and events.
Bottom line: pick Freehand for downtown energy, rooftop socializing and character; pick Fairmont Century Plaza for classic, full-service luxury and conference/event capabilities in Century City.
Freehand Los Angeles vs Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles at Beverly Hills – At a Glance
| Category | Freehand Los Angeles | Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles at Beverly Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Historic downtown, design-forward, social rooftop scene | Renovated large-scale luxury hotel with polished, full-service amenities |
| Location | Downtown Los Angeles — near Crypto.com Arena, L.A. Live and Grand Central Market | Century City — steps from Westfield Century City and close to Rodeo Drive |
| Size | 226 rooms in a converted 1924 Commercial Exchange Building | 400 guestrooms |
| Built / historic age | Housed in a 1924 landmark building | Not published |
| Pools | Rooftop pool deck with 360-degree city views (open daily; pool hours published) | Outdoor pool with poolside bar and cabanas (number of outdoor pools: 1) |
| Restaurants & bars | Four outlets including The Exchange restaurant, Broken Shaker rooftop bar, Rudolph's Bar & Tea and The Exchange Coffee Co. | Lumière Brasserie (French) plus a poolside bar and at least one coffee shop/cafe |
| Wellness & fitness | 24-hour fitness center; no standalone spa listed | Full-service spa, sauna/Turkish bath/Hammam and 24-hour fitness facilities |
| Meetings & events | Multiple event spaces including rooftop Broken Shaker (large outdoor capacity) and indoor venues; total outdoor/indoor meeting space listed on sources | About 23,500 sq ft of conference/meeting space across 14 meeting rooms, ballroom and banquet facilities |
| Accessibility & family policy | Family-friendly; minimum check-in age 18; children welcome | Family-friendly (adultsOnly: false) with many wheelchair-accessible features listed |
| Sustainability & policies | Not published | Multiple sustainability practices listed (reusable tableware, composting, recycling, LED lighting) |
Location: Downtown energy vs Century City polish
Freehand Los Angeles – Location
Freehand sits in the 1924 Commercial Exchange Building in Downtown LA within walking distance of museums, theaters and Crypto.com Arena.
- Short walks to L.A. Live, Crypto.com Arena and Grand Central Market
- Near the Fashion District and the 7th Street/Metro Center station for Metro access
- Good for visitors focused on downtown nightlife, culture and events
Choose Freehand if you want to be in the middle of Downtown LA attractions and transit.
Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles at Beverly Hills – Location
Fairmont Century Plaza is located in Century City, a commercial and shopping district with Westfield Century City a few minutes' walk away.
- Within a 5-minute walk of Westfield Century City; short drive to Rodeo Drive
- Set in a business/retail neighborhood rather than Downtown entertainment districts
- Convenient for UCLA, studios and upscale shopping in Beverly Hills/West Hollywood
Choose Fairmont Century Plaza for a quieter, upscale Century City base near shopping and business centers.
Rooms: smaller design-led rooms vs larger hotel rooms
Freehand Los Angeles – Rooms
Freehand offers 226 individually styled rooms in a historic building with Roman & Williams interiors.
- Room mix includes private Kings, Studios, Suites and family rooms (listed room names included)
- Rooms emphasize design and character rather than large, traditional luxury footprints
- Guests receive complimentary Wi‑Fi and access to the rooftop amenities
Freehand’s rooms appeal to travelers who want characterful, design-forward accommodation in a city landmark.
Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles at Beverly Hills – Rooms
Fairmont Century Plaza has 400 guestrooms with features like minibars, espresso makers and private furnished balconies.
- Rooms include 65-inch TVs, complimentary Wi‑Fi and pillowtop beds with Egyptian cotton sheets
- Private furnished balconies are available on guestrooms
- Property emphasizes larger room inventory suited to business and group travel
Fairmont Century Plaza works well for guests who want a full-service, traditional luxury room experience with balcony options.
Dining & drinks: local-focused rooftop bar vs brasserie and formal dining
Freehand Los Angeles – Dining & drinks
Freehand’s food-and-drink scene centers on four venues, highlighted by the award-recognized Broken Shaker rooftop bar.
- Broken Shaker: rooftop bar with cocktails, small bites and DJs on weekends; priority access included in facility fee
- The Exchange restaurant offers Israeli/Mediterranean-influenced California cuisine for lunch and dinner
- Lobby cafe and Rudolph’s Bar & Tea provide coffee, light bites and tea-infused cocktails
Freehand is for guests who want a lively, locally minded food-and-drink program with a notable rooftop bar.
Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles at Beverly Hills – Dining & drinks
Fairmont Century Plaza features Lumière Brasserie for French-style dining plus poolside and bar options.
- Lumière Brasserie serves French cuisine with garden-view and alfresco dining options
- Poolside bar and at least one coffee shop/cafe are available on site
- 24-hour room service is offered
Fairmont Century Plaza suits guests looking for full-service hotel dining with brasserie-style and room service options.
Pools & signature amenity: rooftop pool deck vs resort-style pool
Freehand Los Angeles – Pools & signature amenity
Freehand’s signature amenity is its rooftop pool deck integrated with Broken Shaker and city views.
- Rooftop pool with 360-degree views and poolside bar access
- Published pool hours and guest/non-guest policies (pool passes available for non-guests)
- Pool area used for events and as a social hub
Freehand’s rooftop pool is a social centerpiece best for guests who want downtown skyline views and a lively atmosphere.
Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles at Beverly Hills – Pools & signature amenity
Fairmont Century Plaza features an outdoor pool with poolside bar and rentable cabanas (cabanas may incur a surcharge).
- One outdoor pool listed with sun loungers and a poolside bar
- Pool cabanas available for a surcharge
- Pool area positioned as a relaxed amenity for luxury guests
Fairmont Century Plaza’s pool is a more traditional hotel pool experience paired with luxury service and cabana options.
Wellness & nightlife: gym plus rooftop partying vs spa and comprehensive wellness
Freehand Los Angeles – Wellness & nightlife
Freehand offers 24-hour fitness and active nightlife through its bars and rooftop DJ programming.
- 24-hour fitness center available to registered guests
- Broken Shaker hosts DJs and is a nightlife draw on weekend evenings
- No full-service spa is listed for Freehand
Freehand mixes round-the-clock fitness with a strong nightlife presence but no dedicated spa.
Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles at Beverly Hills – Wellness & nightlife
Fairmont Century Plaza provides an on-site full-service spa plus extensive wellness facilities.
- Full-service spa with massages, body treatments and facials; reservations required for treatments
- Sauna and Turkish bath/Hammam listed among wellness amenities
- 24-hour fitness center and fitness classes on site
Fairmont Century Plaza is the better choice if you want in-house spa treatments and a broader wellness program.
Who Wins? Best Pick by Travel Style
Freehand Los Angeles
Freehand — Broken Shaker on the rooftop pool deck is a major draw and a focal point for social life.
Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
Fairmont Century Plaza — roughly 23,500 sq ft of conference space and 14 meeting rooms make it suited to larger events.
Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
Fairmont Century Plaza — full-service spa, sauna and Turkish bath/Hammam provide a fuller wellness offering.
Freehand Los Angeles
Freehand — walking distance to major downtown cultural sites, sports and transit.
Frequently asked questions
See all FAQs →Freehand Los Angeles vs Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles at Beverly Hills: FAQs
Which hotel is better for nightlife and downtown sightseeing?
Freehand Los Angeles — it sits in Downtown LA with a lively rooftop bar, easy access to museums, theaters and Crypto.com Arena.
Which hotel has a full spa and more traditional luxury services?
Fairmont Century Plaza — it lists a full-service spa, sauna and Turkish bath/Hammam plus 24-hour fitness and valet services.
Are either of these hotels adults-only?
No — both properties are family-friendly and do not market themselves as adults-only.
Which hotel is better for business groups and meetings?
Fairmont Century Plaza — it offers a much larger dedicated conference footprint (about 23,500 sq ft and 14 meeting rooms).
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Book your stay
Rooftop pool access & $10 F&B credit
- Lowest rate guarantee
- Complimentary perks & upgrades
- 24/7 concierge