My wife, young son and I stayed at the Bonaventure in August 2003.The hotel looks great from the outside but it is a little tired once you get inside. Reception staff were okay but nothing to write home about.
The first room we were given was far too small for three people and we were rather concerned. However a trip to the front desk got us an upgrade to a suite (we had to pay extra of course but never mind). The suite was on the 28th floor and was fine - although it was oddly laid out and had very little (insufficient) storage space for clothes.The hotel boasts shops on the fourth floor which we visited. If I were the hotel I would keep them quiet and indeed would get rid of them altogether. They were very poor shops generally staffed by people who dont really know what customer service is and who mostly dont speak English! Very scruffy and very cheap merchandise. In my view they gave a very poor impression of the hotel. Also the food outlets (and the gym) are outsourced to third party organisations. Once again this brings the hotel down. It also presents a hassle because you can't charge things to your room as at other hotels.Valet parking is the only option and whilst it is efficient it is also expensive at $23 per day.
Also it is a bit of a pain being in downtown LA unless you are on business (we were on holiday) because there is simply nothing there and no where to walk to. Final complaint is about the pool. Very scruffy and very small concrete area to sit in. Quite surprising for what seems to be a good hotel and very disappointing. Don't be fooled by the latest film with Eddie Murphy when at the end in a top floor suite they shoot through the floor and end up flooding the room from the roof-top pool at this hotel - it was all done with smoke and mirrors - the pool I saw is on the fourth floor and is not really worth visiting unless you are desparate.Would I stay there again? If on business for a short time then yes. Otherwise I would try to find somewhere else. Sorry Westin - you will have to do a little better.