Los Angeles’ Century City neighborhood creates a distinctive skyline on the city’s Westside.
Home to Fox Studios, Westfield Century City shopping mall and high-rise hotels, we discovered a business district that’s all its own. And now after some major revamps, it’s also undeniably fresh for groups seeking a new experience in the City of Angels.
The most obvious transformation is the $1 billion makeover of Westfield Century City, which now caters to the shopper’s “experience” through dining outlets, pop-up stores and live events. All of this is great news for meeting planners who are looking for flexible outdoor spaces in a less traditional setting.
“Westfield Century City has completely transformed, creating an enticing option for planners looking to activate a unique space with its outdoor event areas like The Atrium theater, where attendees can enjoy L.A.’s year-round perfect weather,” says Darren K. Green, SVP of sales for the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board.
The Century City Experience
There are more than 200 shops and restaurants to choose from, but groups won’t want to miss Eataly, the 60,000-sf Italian marketplace that offers a combination of restaurants, retail items and a cooking school, ideal for group team building.
At The Private Suite at Westfield Century City, top execs and special groups can take advantage of private underground parking, seven private suites and a private elevator that allows access to the mall, or attendees can simply try on shopping items in the personal suite. The concept builds on the private terminal that redefined the airport experience at LAX by allowing Private Suite members to enter the airport through a private gate and be driven across the airfield directly to their commercial flights.
“The Private Suite provides planners with an unprecedented level of access, luxury and logistical planning for their high-end clients, catering to those who seek privacy, exclusivity and the ultimate VIP experience during their L.A. visit,” says Green.
Anchoring the neighborhood as the go-to meetings property is the 363-room InterContinental Century City at Beverly Hills. A recent multimillion-dollar renovation brought new one-bedroom Premier Terrace suites, with outdoor balconies, and the two-bedroom Royal Suite, complete with an LED fireplace, library and wraparound balcony. The property also recently opened Mari Los Angeles restaurant and Copper Lounge. Groups can dine on innovative Japanese-meets-California fare at Mari after sipping on delicious craft cocktails in Copper Lounge (like we did). Don’t miss the signature Copper Carrot, a just-right balance of bourbon and the sweet root vegetable. With 16,650 sf of meeting space, meeting planners can choose from the Grand Salon Ballroom or Glass Lounge that opens into the hotel’s expansive garden courtyard touting oversized couches and fire pits.
Joining the InterContinental next year in Century City will be the Fairmont Century Plaza, featuring Fairmont’s traditional upscale look throughout its 394 rooms and 63 luxury residences, as well as the 290 luxury residences in the project’s two new 46-story towers.
