A Boutique Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles: My Stay at The Delphi

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by Bev Posted on

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Where History, Modern Comfort, and Downtown Convenience Come Together.

  • The exterior corner of The Dephi hotel with the logo on the building in black and gold, a boutique hotel downtown Los Angeles.
    The Delphi, a historic building
  • A floating bed in a room, green and yellow striped bed spread, white pillows at the Delphi hotel, a boutique hotel downtown Los Angeles.
    A guest room with a floating bed
  • A modern gray domed art deco lamp on a table with greenery from the ceiling in the background and warm wood walls in the lobby of The Dephi, a boutique hotel downtown Los Angeles.
    The lobby

550 Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071

When I went to LA for a conference, I wanted a cool hotel that was affordable and had some character. I also needed to be close to the Los Angeles Convention Center and the Grammy Museum, since my events were there. That’s when I found The Delphi, a historic place that was once the Superior Oil Company headquarters. It has a modern art deco style and spacious, updated rooms. Here’s what I discovered about this boutique hotel downtown Los Angeles.

The Hotel

  • The original front entrance of the original Superier Oil HQ, with a geometric shaped backlit warm toned ceiling and a metal skyline of an oil field above the door, now The Delphi hotel, a boutique hotel downtown Los Angeles.
    The original entrance of the Superior Oil HQ. See the oil field skyline above the door?
  • A gold elevator door with geometric shapes at the opening, green stone walls and red carpet at The Delphi, a boutique hotel downtown Los Angeles.
    Remnants of the Modern Art Deco design
  • Jewel tone velvet chairs and couches, yellows and deep greens, tan floor in the lobby of The Delphi Hotel, a boutique hotel downtown Los Angeles.
    The lobby

When I arrived at this 1955 building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, I went around back for valet parking. I liked that the valet entrance was hidden from the main roads, making it easy to get in and out without any traffic hassle.

When you enter the lobby of The Dephi from the back, you immediately notice the greenery hanging from the ceiling and the plush velvet and gold accents in the lobby. The deep, rich colors give it a unique feel compared to most hotels. It’s moody, dark, and stylish.

The hotel has an interesting history as the former headquarters of Superior Oil. There are fun details throughout, such as the “S” on the door handles and a metal oil field skyline above the main entrance.

In 2002, the building became The Standard Hotel. It closed during the pandemic, but in 2023, investors renovated and reopened it as The Delphi.

The Rooms

  • A floating bed in the foreground and the massive room with seating area and huge open bathroom in the background in a room at The Delphi, a boutique hotel downtown Los Angeles.
    A floating bed in a large open guest room
  • A modern white plastic like chair with cushions in the foreground, a huge soaking tub and bathroom in the background in a room at The Delphi, a boutique hotel downtown Los Angeles.
    A large soaking tub
  • A few from within the huge shower looking into the open bathroom then thru to the bedroom beyond at The Delphi, a boutique hotel downtown Los Angeles.
    Looking from inside the large shower through the bathroom to the bedroom

The rooms have a modern style with platform beds, floating desks, open bathrooms featuring a large soaking tub, a spacious walk-in shower, and a cozy sitting area. They aren’t brand new, so you might notice a few signs of their past, but the new owners have made some updates, and everything is clean and very comfortable.

I especially loved the massive shower (two shower heads!) and how bright the bathroom was. The room itself was huge, so there was tons of space to spread out.

Food and Drink

  • A cocktail on a table in The Delphi Lounge, the lobby bar, looking outside through the glass doors to the lush greenery on the patio, at The Delphi, a boutique hotel downtown Los Angeles.
    The Delphi Lounge, looking out onto the patio with the firepit
  • Plush velvet yellow gold seating couch at The Delphi Lounge at The Delphi Hotel, a boutique hotel downtown Los Angeles.
    Plush gold seating at The Delphi Lounge, the lobby bar
  • Denae's Diner for breakfast, a coffee mug on the table at The Delphi, a boutique hotel downtown Los Angeles.
    Denae’s Diner for breakfast

I stopped by The Delphi Lounge in the lobby and traded in my drink ticket from check-in for a free cocktail. The plush chairs were super comfy, and my drink totally hit the spot. ÜCA Terraza is their rooftop spot. I didn’t get a chance to check it out (I know, right? I always get to check out the rooftops!), but it sounds awesome. Denae’s Diner was perfect for breakfast—great food and a chill vibe.

Final Thought

If you’re looking for a boutique hotel in downtown Los Angeles that feels stylish without being stuffy, The Delphi is a solid pick. Between its historic roots, art deco details, oversized rooms, and easy access to many of the downtown happenings, it strikes a great balance between character and convenience. Whether you’re in town for a conference or want a comfortable, cool home base in DTLA, this is one of those places that quietly exceeds expectations—and makes downtown feel a little more inviting. It’s certainly not your normal hotel room.

  • A view of downtown LA through the curtains and blinds from a guest room at The Delphi, a boutique hotel downtown Los Angeles.
    Downtown LA view from a guest room
  • A tall round sink in the bathroom sitting on a tiled ledge that extends the length of the room and a wall or mirrors, at The Dephi, a boutique hotel downtown Los Angeles.
    Guest room bathroom
  • The back entrance, the main entrance from Valet, stairs leading to the door and huge green bushes on either side at The Delphi, a boutique hotel downtown Los Angeles.
    Back entrance, main entrance from valet




Looking for another historic hotel in downtown Los Angeles? Read about this historic gem, The Biltmore Los Angeles. Or one of the AC Hotels in LA, AC Hotel Brand by Marriott.

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