Citizenm Los Angeles Downtown

Small but perfectly formed. Downtown is indeed quite chaotic, but the area around this hotel is decent. You need to swipe your card to enter the hotel, and there's security at the entrance. The only peculiar thing is the purple light in the bathroom.

This hotel is perfect for solo travelers. The room size is just right for one person, and it offers a city view. I loved that I could adjust the room's theme color. Plus, there's an iPad mini to control the air conditioning, lighting, and curtains, which was incredibly convenient!

This hotel is in a great location in Downtown LA. From LAX, I took the FlyAway bus ($12.75) and then two subway stops ($1.75, flat fare) to Pershing Square, and it was just across the street. There's a paid outdoor parking lot opposite the hotel (I don't recommend renting a car in LA – traffic can be bad, parking is expensive, and California gas prices are high, around $2/liter. Public transport is only $1.75 per ride, with a $5 daily cap, and a $20 refill on a Tap Card is usually enough to get around LA). Safety-wise, I'd say it's decent. It's in a transitional area between the more dangerous Skid Row and the safer Financial District in DTLA. I'd advise against coming back too late or wandering around at night. If you do come back late, it's best to take an Uber. If you're walking, try not to stare at the homeless, and don't engage if they talk to you. The hotel has a live front desk and security. You need to use your key card to enter after 6 PM and also to use the elevator. It feels very safe during the day, so you can confidently go out and explore. Theft and robbery aren't as prevalent in the US as some might think; you'll see plenty of people playing on their phones while waiting at traffic lights, and people carry their backpacks normally. The hotel rooms, while not huge, have distinctive lighting. There's a tablet by the bed that allows you to activate a 'sleep mode' with one tap, and you can control the lights and TV channels through it, which is very cozy and comfortable. However, there's no kettle for hot water. For someone like me who likes hot drinks, you can go to the bar on the first floor and ask the staff for hot water for free. They also have various free tea bags. Coffee and alcoholic drinks are extra, though. If you don't feel like going out at night, ordering a drink and chatting with an American is a great way to experience the nightlife – Americans are really good conversationalists!

Pros: The location gets full marks – right in the city center, very close to Union Station and Angels Flight, making transportation incredibly convenient. Cons: 1. No parking available. You have to find street parking, and the nearby public parking costs $25 for half a day. 2. Luggage storage is only available on the check-in and check-out days. For example, if you go to Vegas for a few days and then return, even if you have a new reservation, you can't leave your luggage here. They say it's due to limited space. 3. No self-service laundry facilities. Despite the minor drawbacks, the hotel is very new, and although the rooms are small, the facilities are very smart and comfortable to stay in. The bed is just the right firmness, the shower water pressure is excellent, and the hotel provides 24-hour hot and cold water. The breakfast offers great value for money, and the staff are enthusiastic with a good overall vibe!

It's a bit small, but perfectly fine for a solo traveler. It's clean, sunny, and the bed is comfortable. However, there are quite a few homeless people nearby, so it's safer to avoid going out at night.