Cara Hotel

"This tranquil newcomer’s location on a ho-hum stretch in LA's Los Feliz makes passing through its olive-and-palm-tree-lined courtyard all the more delightful. The name Cara means “friend” in Gaelic, and the idea of warm, convivial hospitality is played up throughout its 60 breezy rooms. The lobby’s custom crown molding, pearlescent plastered walls, and sky-high cove ceilings carry an Old World grandeur that’s mellowed by modern local artwork and plenty of honeyed SoCal sunlight. The outdoor restaurant is perfect for Angelenos’ favorite pastime—alfresco cocktailing— with seating that spills out around a long reflecting pool, creating the feeling of a Moroccan riad. Though the Cara was once a 1950s motel, this is far from the typical flip. The down-to-the-studs renovation expanded rooms to include courtyard- facing balconies, and the decor eschews midcentury nostalgia for a strict shades-of-white approach that amplifies the texture, shape, and quality of the materials: nubby upholstered headboards, crisp linens, matte ceramic lamps. The only real accents come from the black of the leaded windows and curlicue wrought iron. The overall result is an elegant, restful retreat in a town that usually goes all in on drama." - Krista Simmons, Celeste Moure

"Here's my review of Cara, which I wrote when it opened in 2020: “While first-time visitors to a city might seek out its marquee hotel..." - Vogue

"Cara is a buzzy hotel restaurant in Los Feliz where we can almost guarantee you’ll see several strangers posing poolside under the palm trees lining their photogenic courtyard. Waiting over an hour for a boring egg white frittata or some soggy pancakes during brunch here is normal. So we’d recommend coming for dinner, ordering a simple pasta and  a cocktail, and enjoying some prime people watching. " - nikko duren, kat hong, brant cox

"Situated smack dab between Los Feliz and Thai Town, the Cara Hotel couldn’t have picked a more unassuming location. But pass through the courtyard lined with centuries-old olive trees, through the oversize arched doorway, and you’ll step into an urban oasis. Rooms include private courtyard balconies, eye-pleasing natural linens, and earthy finishes that bring the outside in. The hotel’s airy lobby, with its custom crown molding, pearlescent Venetian plaster walls, and sky-high arched ceilings, is the perfect backdrop for a Zoom call at your enviable remote office. Cara’s outdoor restaurant is suited for LA’s most popular competitive sport—al fresco cocktailing—with seating surrounding a swimming pool-sized water feature that lends the feel of a Moroccan riad." - Krista Simmons

"The 60-room Cara Hotel is putting Los Feliz firmly on the map by embracing its surroundings; hidden in plain sight, it sits discreetly at the foothills of Griffith Park, in the shadow of the Hollywood sign. Designed to bring the outside in, breezy patios and private courtyard balconies enveloped by 100-year-old olive trees and palms pay homage to the Gaelic translation of Cara, meaning “friend,” where a sense of conviviality and warmth beams through like the L.A. sun itself."