The hype
Travelers love the aesthetic and the rooftop pool but consistently complain about the noise levels.
Freehand Los Angeles
$150-250/ night
Book this if You want a high-design social hub in DTLA where you can swap stories with strangers over excellent cocktails.
Why People Love It
- The rooftop pool deck is a legitimate scene with killer views
- Interiors by Roman & Williams make even the bunk rooms feel like a Wes Anderson set
- The Exchange restaurant serves some of the best Israeli-fusion food in the city
Quick Take: A vibey, beautiful hostel-hotel hybrid that trades sleep quality for social energy.
Reviewed by @stephlovestotraveluxlife: I spent the weekend at Freehand LA and the energy was incredible. My room had these cool, moody vibes with killer views of the downtown streets. If you want a social scene and a pool party right upstairs, this is definitely the spot.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
The 'resort fee' feels steep when the pool is too crowded to find a chair.
- You prioritize a cool lobby scene over dead silence
- You are traveling solo and want to meet people without staying in a grimey hostel
- You want to be walkable to Whole Foods, Shake Shack, and the Metro
Cleanliness & Maintenance
8.5
- Housekeeping: Daily service is reliable; shared rooms are turned over efficiently.
- Bathroom hygiene: Generally sparkling, though shared en-suites can get messy depending on your roommates.
- Maintenance: Historic building quirks—creaky floors and slow drains are occasional issues.
- Linens & towels: Crisp and clean, though some reports of 'scratchy' sheets in older reviews.
- Odors & scents: Lobby smells like palo santo and expensive candles; rooms are neutral to slightly musty.
Sleepability™
5.5MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Sirens and street noise through single-pane windows
- Bass from Broken Shaker rooftop bar
- Creaky bunk beds in shared rooms
Before you book
Good to know
- The 'Facility Fee' is ~$28/day for private rooms and ~$9/day for bunks
- The pool is heated year-round but chairs are first-come, first-served and go fast
- Luggage storage is available at the front desk if you arrive early
What to pack
- High-quality earplugs (the foam ones provided aren't enough)
- A padlock if you are staying in a shared room (lockers provided, locks are not)
- Flip flops for the pool deck and shared room showers
Room Genie
Best picks
- Corner Studio King for the best light and extra space
- High floor (8th-10th) facing the courtyard to minimize street noise
Rooms to avoid
- Rooms directly below the rooftop pool deck (11th/12th floor) due to foot traffic and bass
- Low floor rooms facing 8th Street (maximum siren exposure)
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I would love a room on a high floor (8th-10th) facing the interior courtyard or away from 8th Street to minimize noise. Please avoid rooms directly under the rooftop bar.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is it a hostel or a hotel?
Both. It has premium private hotel rooms and upscale shared bunk rooms.
Is the area safe?
It's DTLA. It's gritty. You will see homeless encampments and 'zombie-like' behavior nearby, but the immediate block is busy and generally fine during the day.
How much is parking?
Valet is expensive, around $61/night. There are cheaper third-party lots nearby, but they aren't affiliated with the hotel.
Can I bring a guest to the pool?
Technically no, the pool is for guests. Non-guests usually have to hit a minimum spend at the bar to hang out.
Is the wifi good enough for work?
Yes, it's free and generally fast enough for Zoom calls, especially in the lobby or basement lounge.
Do the bunk beds have privacy?
Yes, they are custom cedar bunks with privacy screens, reading lights, and outlets.
Insider Tips
- ✨
There is a quiet 'study hall' style lounge in the basement if the lobby is too loud for work.
- ✨
Happy hour at The Exchange is a steal for the quality of food.
- ✨
You can buy a padlock at the front desk if you forgot yours, but it's cheaper to bring one.
5 things to know before you go
💡The elevators can be painfully slow during check-out time.
💡The 'shared' bathrooms are en-suite, meaning they are inside the room, not down the hall.
💡The rooftop pool is actually quite small—it looks bigger on Instagram.
💡The lobby flower shop (Flowerboy) sells excellent coffee and local goods.
💡You might get a 'wristband' if you are staying in a shared room.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Freehand Los Angeles is located and what's nearby.