A hotel that embraces it's surroundings: Hotel Intercontinental.

Designed as part of the $1.2 billion California Plaza development atop Bunker Hill, the Intercontinental is the first new hotel to be built downtown in more than 10 years. It shares space with the Museum of Contemporary Art, offices, a batch of condominiums, retail shopping and the 1.5 acre Watercourt performance plaza.

A window seat on the 17th floor Club lounge guarantees a view of the goings-on down on Grand Avenue. Guests on the south side of the hotel gaze onto the Watercourt, which features a timed fountain (similar to the one at the Music Center), contemporary sculpture, a 200-seat amphitheater used for lunchtime concerts, a pool and a dining and shopping arcade. Whimsical pieces like the glass umbrellas around the pool add to the uniqueness and interest of the scene.

On the other side of the hotel, diners at the Grand Cafe can step out onto a terrace bordered by the red slab of MOCA's walls and a cascading fountain, through which is visible the Hollywood sign. The soon-to-be released Angel's Flight funicular will also land beside the Angel's Flight restaurant.

In keeping with L.A.'s love for large, obscure, metal works of art, the hotel's focal point is a 3,000 pound steel sculpture entitled Yellow Fin. It anchors the rear of the lobby, a cool, inviting space that gleams with highly polished tile and matching curved staircases with brass banisters. The property itself is highlighted with Japanese and Korean antiques such as the wooden chests that fill the many alcoves, and an interesting collection of lamps (the ones at the check-in desk are actually carved bells from a Buddhist temple). Among the hotel's own artwork is a rotating display of paintings on loan from MOCA's permanent collection.

The hotel targets the business traveler, according to general manager Michel Tourniaire. "We try to be the top of the four-star hotels. We're not a five-star -- we're the hotel where the CEO would stay, not the chairman of the board." He says he's not worried about the current low occupancy rates in downtown. Instead, he's using the quiet time "as a dress rehearsal". Opening a hotel is "like putting a 747 together," he says. "You plan, then you fly it, then you fix it, then fly it again."

Banquet space

Tourniaire is hoping to attract associations, which can bring as many as 10,000 people into town. The Intercontinental adds 439 rooms to the downtown inventory which will help the city attract larger conventions. And with 20,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel will attract its share of local meetings.

The meeting rooms are named after the historic Los Angeles homes that graced Bunker Hill at the turn of the century, and each features a large pen and wash drawing of the original house. Most of the rooms have natural light.

The boardroom has a permanent honey-oak table and very comfortable toffee-colored leather chairs. A second boardroom with a double-width table seats up to 20 people and includes a small ante-room. All have direct kitchen access, so you won't see carts being pushed around the hallways.

The 8,820 square foot Bunker Hill Ballroom seats a maximum of 750. With its 19 foot ceilings, changing light displays and Roman-shaded picture windows, the room is bright and open.

Seven smaller rooms on the Grand Avenue side of the hotel can fit 10 people boardroom-style or up to 35 theatre-style. With floor-to-ceiling windows and wet bars, they work will as hospitality suites.

From the kitchen

Downstairs in the Grand Cafe, Executive Chef Eddie Fitzpatrick serves up American food with Pacific influences, such as a roasted Californian vegetable tureen with tomato and oregano coulis, seared ahi tuna with soy ponzu and wasabi, and Colorado lamb steak with grilled polenta and ratatouille. Try the grilled scallop salad with smoked Anaheim Chili and Lime juice -- you wouldn't be the first to request the recipe for the delicious dressing!

Over at the more formal Angel's Flight restaurant, an arrangement of booths and a floor-to-ceiling wine case break the room into intimate sections. A separate dining room is available for even more privacy. The soft green, beige and peach colors set a calming tone, making this sure to be a favorite spot for downtown business lunches.

The Angel's Flight lounge -- boasting the only working fireplace in a downtown hotel according to staff -- opens onto the Watercourt. Outdoor tables will offer warm weather patrons one of L.A.'s most striking views.

Accommodations and amenities

Guest rooms (50 percent of which are designated non-smoking) are spacious and feature the usual amenities including two dual-line telephones with computer or fax capability, voice mail, oversized work desk, hairdryers and terrycloth bathrobes. Club Intercontinental guests enjoy the more exclusive accommodations on the hotel's 16th floor and can take advantage of the complimentary buffet breakfast, hors d'ouevres and cocktails on the 17th floor club lounge.

The business center provides such services as cellular phone rentals, parcel service, printer and computer rentals for in-room modem hook-up and courier services in addition to clerical assistance such as typing, translation, binding and photocopying.

The hotel's health club features life-cycles, stair steppers, treadmills, free weights and a Nautilus machine. A heated lap pool on the adjacent patio offers city views while swimming. Saunas and a steam room round out the facility.

Rates are $195 to $225 for a double room. The hotel is offering a $119 introductory rate through May 31. Weekend and theatre packages will be available.