Freehand Los Angeles

"Every hotel prizes its design, but Freehand's affordable hostel space in collaboration with Roman & Williams takes the category to a new level. Have a drink under soaring ceilings in the 1930s tiled bar as you sit in Craftsman-inspired furniture, or take dinner in the restaurant where mosaics of owls line the floor (the building used to house the Owl Drug Store). And of course, as at other Freehands, there's an outpost of the James Beard Award-nominated Broken Shaker bar. You won't really believe you're in a hostel until you see the bunk-bed rooms—which are better designed and more comfortable than a number of private suites we've stayed in." - Krista Simmons, Celeste Moure

"Named for the historic 32-foot-tall “Commercial Exchange” sign that marks its exterior, this watering hole defined by geometrically set glass panes and set inside the hip Freehand Hotel is an oasis of contemporary Middle Eastern cooking. Its bright and comfortable dining room is quite the looker, bursting with lush greenery, while wood paneling lends the space a 70s vibe. Mirroring the striking setting, Chef Narita Santos takes inspiration from Israeli, Californian and Filipino cuisines for this vibrant menu. Opt for the salatim platter, a rotating trio of items like rich hummus with a dusting of piquant Syrian pepper; or shredded red cabbage with peanuts and dukkah. Simple desserts, including a warm dark chocolate chip cookie, are especially satisfying." - Nancy DePalma

"How did it strike you on arrival?Stylish hostels are nothing new these days—but this Roman & Williams-designed space, which opened in summer 2017, takes the lowly genre to new levels. From the street, you can see through the expansive windows into the high-ceilinged lobby, with its stunning original 1930s tiled bar, an earthy and wood palette, and custom American craftsmen-inspired furniture. What’s the crowd like?In-the-know millennials, laptops aglow, who favor communal-style living to privacy. The good stuff: Tell us about the rooms.Freehand LA—located in Downtown's historic Commercial Exchange building—offers 167 private rooms (from studios to suites) and 59 shared. They're simple yet stylish, with vibrant hand-woven textiles, painted tiles, custom lights and furniture, and works by local artists. The shared rooms are better and more thoughtful than some private ones out there, thanks to custom cedar bunk beds that have privacy screens, outlets, and reading lights. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.As long as your expectations are calibrated. Tiled bathrooms have toiletries by Argan and have an elevated dorm-style feel, with built-in showers that have curtains. What should we be on the lookout for to eat and drink?Communal seating and lots of greenery set the stage for The Exchange's Israeli-influenced menu of shared plates. On the floor, you'll see original mosaic tile owls (from the Owl Drug Store that was located in the building). In the lobby, Rudolph’s Bar & Tea has loungey vintage furniture and creative tea-infused cocktails, while on the rooftop, the James Beard Award-nominated Broken Shaker serves up tropical drinks and killer views. There's also a rooftop pool. Bottom line: Why are we choosing the Freehand?For the Downtown location, affordable rates, designer interiors, and rooftop bar/pool." - Brooke Porter Katz

"The Freehand is a thoroughly modern, chic hotel in DTLA. Yes, some of the rooms are shared accommodation, but they feel more like stylish cabins with rustic wooden bunk beds, colorful quilts, and chic tiled bathrooms. The décor is full of personality, with quirky details, like pink loungers by the rooftop pool and a wooden hut for a cocktail bar—a James Beard finalist for best American bar, no less."

"Every hotel prizes its design, but Freehand's affordable hostel space in collaboration with Roman & Williams takes the category to a new level. Have a drink under soaring ceilings in the 1930s tiled bar as you sit in Craftsman-inspired furniture, or take dinner in the restaurant where mosaics of owls line the floor (the building used to house the Owl Drug Store). And of course, as at other Freehands, there's an outpost of the James Beard Award-nominated Broken Shaker bar. You won't really believe you're in a hostel until you see the bunk-bed rooms—which are better designed and more comfortable than a number of private suites we've stayed in." - CNT Editors