Recently, we did a post on hotels that were acting like airlines in all the wrong ways with infuriating fees. But the Custom Hotel near Los Angeles International Airport is imitating the airlines in a very good way, a sort of mod-60s, golden age of flying way.

We toured the airport hotel yesterday to look at the revamping that’s been going on since Joie de Vivre Hotels snapped up the place last year. The biggest change is the concept of Custom Hotel. Previously, under its old owner, the hotel was more of a dark, boutique, too cool kind of property that may have done better in Hollywood rather than near the beach.

But now with JDV’s guidance the hotel has embraced its location, opening up the property up people seeking not just a convenient airport hotel but a happy and recreational stay as well. Here’s how Custom has customized their hotel to fit its airport proximity.

For starters, the hotel’s logo is now a set of wings with a C planted in the middle. Next, the hotel’s staff uniforms and nametags are inspired by 60s airlines uniforms. Women will be sporting sleek blouses and pencil skirts while the men will don opened collar dress shirts with pinstripes. The unis aren’t completed yet but given that the new TV show Pan Am is about flight attendants in the 1960s, these outfits might be right on trend.

The lobby has been renamed The Layover Lounge and features two communal tables, a small bar, a mini-business center with two giant iMacs and that awesome photo booth we told you about yesterday.

Up in the guestrooms, things haven’t changed too much although those quirky dog blankets were done away with. But JDV did add the ultra-cool fixture of mood lighting which guests can control themselves and which makes the hotel stand out from the street. (You could probably even see the hotel while your flight is landing at night.)

All rooms come with 37″ flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations (which will be playing happy music when you enter the room), complimentary WiFi, Lather toiletries, OnDemand movies, cool-looking desks and most importantly, soundproofed windows. During our tour, we didn’t hear an airplane once while inside.

Adding to the airline theme are the floor names which include aviation lingo like Supersonic and the Elevated floors on 9-12 which give guests access to the LAX Lounge and the Stratosphere relaxation rooms. These floors also feature some of the best views of the Pacific Ocean and of course, LAX. (Yes, Elevated floors are totally reminiscent of Virgin America’s Elevate program.) While the Elevated floors will cost a little extra, all floors actually have their own lounges for guests to chill out in. These just happen to be a notch nicer.

The hotel also has a revamped outside pool area with five cabanas and a restaurant, Deck 33, which is now serving breakfast and dinner but should add in a lunch service next month. Locally reknowned chef Katsuo “Naga” Nagasawa is behind the menu which has a Pacific Rim influence. On the opposite side of the hotel is Hangar 39, a sort of bar/lounge/creative space that can be rented out for parties.

The hotel is still undergoing all these fun changes but general manager Chan Jin tells us the property is about 85 to 90 percent complete. The biggest change left to make will be the entrance of the hotel which used to be in the back of the hotel and is temporarily in the front but which will actually open up on the side of the hotel.

Renovated rooms are actually available now starting at $129 a night and that includes personalized shuttle service to and from LAX but if you want to wait until the hotel has completed its landing, remain seated in your seats until September 15th.

Source: HotelChatter.com