new otani hotel in little tokyo is now kyoto grand hotel
Little Tokyo’s landmark New Otani Hotel & Gardens at 1st and Los Angeles is being branded as the Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens.
The change comes as no surprise since last year many noticeable changes were being made to the property: a new paint job, remodeled exterior on Los Angeles Street, renovated valet court, and extensive repairs at the deteriorating Weller Court — the hotel’s adjacent three-level shopping plaza.
The property was subsequently sold to 3D Investments of Beverly Hills, who continued the renovation process. The hotel is now being managed by Virginia-based Crestline Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
An excerpt from the Los Angeles Times states that:
“About $8 million worth of improvements have been made to the hotel in the last 18 months and more are planned,” said Dave Durbin, president of Crestline. “It will become more upscale.”
Weller Court has seen a lot of tenant activity. Several small eateries and a cafe have recently opened. Also after extensive renovations, Marukai Market relocated to the other side of the plaza, and Bank of the West moved into Marukai’s former space.
As outside investment in Little Tokyo becomes more popular, its affects on preserving the Japanese community have come into question. Luckily, this particular investor has made a pledge to enhance the neighborhood’s cultural characteristics. Although, as a reader points out, their geography is a little off.
9 comments
This is supposed to be in Little Tokyo, not Little Kyoto. Wrong name.
What’s the big deal? Kyoto is a city in Japan, a former capital, with modern references to an enviornomental pact that got the world moving on controlling climate change (not the US, mind you). Yes, the name of the neighborhood is “Little Tokyo” but the area embraces “Japanese” culture in genera, right? I imagine the Japanese residents who live there don’t ALL hail from Tokyo. Get a grip. I like the name.
many of our out-of-town guests stayed at the new otani for our wedding. it is a nice hotel, although the miyako hotel down the street is also a good (cheaper) alternative. it’s a shame that weller court isn’t more lively. there’s a number of good restaurants in there, and the marukai market is great. it looks like they may have shuttered the marukai liquor store in weller court, though.
isn’t kyoto right next to tokyo anyway?
It was a joke, btw.
Found some cool pics of New Otani (oops, I mean “Kyoto Grand”) here: http://www.resideo.com/us/california/losangeles/42644303.hotel — looks cool…
For those who are unaware, there is a beautiful Japanese garden on the third floor. It is open to the public and accessible via elevator from the lobby. I’d highly recommend making a visit.
True, David! And it’s the perfect vantage point to get shots of the San Pedro Apartments under construction across the street.
LOL, “Kyoto” is an anagram of “Tokyo.”