The Standard Hotel Downtown Los Angeles

When it's time to let groups out of the box, The Standard, Downtown LA provides a hip, edgy vibe guaranteed to spark creativity. Planners with a large reception on their hands, for instance, might hold it in the lobby lounge, where hot pink Vladimir Kagan sofas set off a Jenny Holzer art installation, pool table, DJ, and photo booths.

Another example, the Bigger Loft, provides a more customizable backdrop, a fashion-show runway, and space for an audience of up to 160. Two almost-traditional venues, the Blonde and Brunette rooms, host meetings of 60 next to smaller, convenient breakout rooms. Naturally, Wi-Fi pervades every square inch of a hotel courting business-chic travelers in the City of Dreams.

Even the hippest guests may forget to check their e-mail on the roof, however. The twelfth-floor aerie provides a pool, red AstroTurf carpeting, and giant red waterbed cabanas edged by L.A. skyscrapers. Guests can dine on the roof or at the 24-hour brasserie downstairs, which features indoor-outdoor comfort food—as defined by the Hollywood set.

The accommodations hold their share of surprises as well. The loftlike Wow! rooms, for example, feature 14-foot work desks, L-shaped sofas, and art installations in the bathrooms. As a bonus, the location ensures easy access to the city's major art, music, theater, and conference centers as well as L.A.'s myriad other star-studded attractions.