Landing in Los Angeles for a short business trip often feels familiar: the line of palms, the city hum, and the small comforts that make travel easier. For this stay I deliberately chose a property built with solo travelers in mind, the Moxy Downtown Los Angeles, part of the Marriott Bonvoy family. My aim was to convert a routine trip into a manageable workcation where professional obligations and personal recharge could coexist. The building shares services with its sister property, the AC Hotel, which means a cluster of restaurants, a pool, a gym, and other amenities are all within easy reach, giving options for both connection and solitude.
Staying smart: arrival, check-in and the room
The short car ride from LAX helped speed up arrival, and a quick check-in in the softly lit lobby set the tone for a relaxed stay. A friendly concierge outlined the property highlights and reminded me I could comfortably spend most of my time on-site if I preferred. My corner room with a king-sized bed and a sweeping city view became a quiet retreat between calls and meetings. I deliberately prioritized a corner room for the extra light and perspective; that visual separation from the street can make a business trip feel less like an airport layover and more like a temporary home.
Eating well even when dining alone
Dinner: leaning into comfortable hospitality
Sitting down for dinner alone can be a little unnerving, but choosing a lively spot with welcoming staff changes the equation. The AC Bar & Bistro offered an environment that felt sophisticated without being intimidating. I ordered small plates to keep things simple: marinated olives to start, followed by a hearty hanger steak frites dressed with arugula and chimichurri. To round the meal out I sampled an Oaxacan Sour made with Banhez mezcal, lemon, egg white, and Angostura bitters. The combination of attentive service and good food made that solitary dinner feel like a deliberate self-care moment rather than something to rush through.
Morning: coffee and toast at Bluestone Lane
Starting the day early on east coast time had me downstairs at Bluestone Lane, conveniently located in the hotel lobby. I couldn’t decide between two classics, so I enjoyed both: a peanut butter and berry toast with strawberries, raspberries, honey, and mint on multigrain toast, and an avocado toast topped with cherry tomatoes, feta, prosciutto, and a sprinkle of chili flakes. Choosing small indulgences like a thoughtfully prepared breakfast helps shift the tone from work-only to something more balanced and pleasurable.
Getting out: mixing company and solo exploration
Knowing I had one free day before my meetings, I planned a mix of social time with a friend and pockets of solo wandering to stay energized. We browsed a vintage furniture store called Pop Up Home, spent time at the Damson Madder pop-up, and walked through Little Tokyo, pausing for groceries and people-watching at Erewhon. Small detours, like sampling a talked-about smoothie, add flavor to a short trip and create shared memories without derailing work commitments. That balance between company and quiet time is the secret to feeling recharged rather than drained by travel.
Practical tips for a less lonely workcation
Choose a hotel with on-site options so you can decide when to step outside and when to stay in; properties in the Marriott Bonvoy network often provide that flexibility. Invite a local friend for at least one outing, accept friendly recommendations from staff, and treat solo meals as intentional pauses rather than obligations. Keep clear blocks of time for focused work and match them with walkable breaks or a short shop visit to reset. Lastly, use loyalty points to access upgraded rooms or club spaces that make downtime more comfortable and social opportunities easier to find.
Final thoughts and author background
Short business trips don’t have to be purely transactional; with a few deliberate choices you can craft a stay that supports both productivity and personal well-being. Planning for a mix of hotel-based amenities, solo moments, and at least one social outing turned this Los Angeles stop into a satisfying workcation rather than a lonely commute. The experience and recommendations here come from Emily Zirimis, who is an associate creative director at Popsugar. Before joining Popsugar, Emily worked as creative design director at Teen Vogue for nearly six years, holds a BFA in Communications Design with a minor in Art History from Pratt Institute, and has been active in digital media since 2014.
