Where to Stay in LA: An Insider’s Guide

LA, aka the City of Angels, is a big city with tons of hotels for all kinds of people and budgets. To help you find a great place to stay we’ve picked some of the best hotels in LA’s most fun neighborhoods, downtown and Culver City. We’ve got hotels by the beach, in the city and everywhere in between. This guide will help you find the perfect spot, whether you want old Hollywood glamour, modern design or a spa. These hotels will give you a real LA experience. So pack your bags, grab your sunglasses and get ready to explore LA from a great place to stay.

One Of The Best Hotel to Stay in La: Conrad Los Angeles

Conrad Los Angeles

The Conrad Los Angeles is a new fancy hotel right in the heart of downtown LA. It’s a tall building with big rooms and huge windows so you can see great views of the city. There’s a pool on the roof where you can soak up the sun and really good places to eat inside the hotel. When you walk in you’ll see lots of art and feel the energy of downtown LA. Whether you’re here for work or play the Conrad has lots of nice touches to make your stay comfortable and it’s in a great location to explore the city.

  • Location: Downtown LA, near The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Arts District
  • Amenities: Rooftop pool with city views, multiple dining options including a signature restaurant by chef José Andrés, full-service spa, 24/7 fitness center, event spaces
  • Reviews: Guests love the stylish rooms, great service and location
    • Google Reviews: 4.6/5 (614)
  • Rooms: Modern and spacious with floor-to-ceiling windows, 50” HDTVs, Nespresso machines, luxurious bathrooms with tubs
  • Wi-Fi: Free high-speed Wi-Fi
  • Parking: Valet parking available for fee
  • Budget: Luxury, rates vary by season and room type but expect to pay a premium for the DTLA location and amenities
Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection

Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection

Among LA’s many great hotels the Hotel Bel-Air stands out for its character and quality. The hotel has 12 acres of gardens. There’s a lake with swans and flowers. It feels very peaceful and quiet like you’re far from the city. But you’re actually close to Beverly Hills, UCLA and West Hollywood where there are plenty of great restaurants and things to do at night. The rooms are very nice and comfortable. Many have their own outdoor space where you can sit and look at the gardens. The hotel also has a great restaurant by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck so the food is amazing.

  • Location: Bel-Air, a quiet residential area on the Westside, near Beverly Hills and UCLA
  • Amenities: Heated pool, full-service spa, Wolfgang Puck restaurant, bar with live music, fitness studio, gardens with swan lake
  • Reviews: Guests rave about the peaceful atmosphere, great service and luxury
    • Google Reviews: 4.7/5 ( 2429)
  • Rooms: Classic and modern design, marble bathrooms, high-end amenities like Diptyque toiletries and 65” flat-screen TVs
  • Wi-Fi: Free high-speed Wi-Fi
  • Parking: Valet parking available for fee
  • Budget: Luxury, rates are high but reflect the 5-star service and Bel-Air location
One Of The Best Hotel to Stay in La: The Hoxton, Downtown LA

The Hoxton, Downtown LA

Located in a converted 1920s building The Hoxton has cool vibes from every exposed brick and mid-century modern sofa. It’s a mix of old and new. The rooms are small but well designed, modern furniture and some nice touches like bookshelves and local snacks. The lobby is a popular spot where people come to work or have coffee. There’s also a restaurant with California food and a rooftop pool where you can chill and look out over the city. Good if you want to stay somewhere with character in the middle of downtown.

  • Location: Downtown LA, in the historic Broadway Theater District, walking distance to Grand Central Market, The Last Bookstore and other DTLA hotspots
  • Amenities: Rooftop pool with city views, multiple dining options including all-day restaurant and rooftop bar, co-working space, curated events
  • Reviews: Guests love the trendy atmosphere, friendly staff and downtown location
    • Google Reviews: 4.3/5(648)
  • Rooms: Cozy and stylish with industrial-chic design, local mini bar snacks and custom beds
  • Wi-Fi: Free high-speed Wi-Fi
  • Parking: Valet parking available for fee
  • Budget: Mid to high-range, good value for the location and style
Shutters On The Beach

Shutters On The Beach

If you want to stay by the ocean in LA Shutters On The Beach in Santa Monica is the way to go. It’s right on the beach with nice views of the Pacific and the Santa Monica Pier. The rooms have a beachy vibe, shuttered windows and balconies where you can breathe in the sea air. There’s a pool area to relax on sunny days and the hotel has several restaurants from casual to fancy. You can rent a bike and ride along the beach or just watch the sunset from your room. It’s a great spot to experience California beach life. Not far away is Venice Beach with its lively boardwalk, canals, and lots of cafes and shops to explore.

  • Location: Right on the beach in Santa Monica, steps from the Santa Monica Pier and Beach Bike Path
  • Amenities: Beachside pool, full-service spa, three restaurants including an upscale seafood restaurant and beachfront cafe, bike rentals, fitness center
  • Reviews: Travelers love the beachfront location, ocean views and service
    • Google Reviews: 4.5/5(2317)
  • Rooms: Coastal design with shuttered windows, balconies or patios (some with ocean views), marble bathrooms and high-end amenities
  • Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
  • Parking: Valet parking available for fee
  • Budget: High-end, prices reflect the beachfront location and 5-star amenities
One Of The Best Hotel to Stay in La: Casa del Mar

Casa del Mar

Casa del Mar, sister hotel to Shutters, is another great option right on the beach. It’s an old 1920s building with a classic look. The lobby is impressive with high ceilings and big fireplaces that remind you of its past as a private beach club. The rooms are comfortable and well designed, many with ocean views. The hotel has a pool by the beach, a spa and a nice bar. It’s a great choice for adults looking for a sophisticated beach stay. The old-school charm and modern amenities make Casa del Mar stand out among Santa Monica’s hotels.

Manhattan Beach, a nearby coastal town, has a laid-back beach vibe with long shorelines, great dining and outdoor activities.

  • Location: On the beach in Santa Monica, next to Shutters
  • Amenities: Beachside pool, full-service spa, Italian restaurant, elegant lounge, 24/7 fitness center
  • Reviews: Love the old-world charm, beachfront location and service
    • Google Reviews: 4.6/5(1507)
  • Rooms: Luxurious and spacious with four-poster beds, Italian marble bathrooms, unobstructed ocean views and high-end amenities
  • Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
  • Parking: Valet parking available for fee
  • Budget: Luxury, rates similar to Shutters and reflective of the beachfront location and historic charm
The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection

The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection

The “Pink Palace” is as iconic as LA hotels get. With its pink exterior, lush gardens and rich history, The Beverly Hills Hotel is a true Hollywood legend. Since 1912 this hotel has been a magnet for celebrities, from Hollywood royalty like Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe to modern A-listers. The rooms and bungalows are beautifully designed with a classic style using pink and green colors. They have marble bathrooms and private outdoor spaces that look out onto the gardens. The hotel has several popular restaurants, including the famous Polo Lounge where many business meetings happen and the Fountain Coffee Room which has an old-school feel and is open late. You might see some famous people in these places.

Just a short drive away is Sunset Boulevard with its nightlife and cultural attractions, connecting West Hollywood to Beverly Hills.

  • Location: In the middle of Beverly Hills, surrounded by celebrity homes and high-end boutiques
  • Amenities: Outdoor pool with private cabanas, full-service spa, iconic Polo Lounge restaurant, retro Fountain Coffee Room, fitness center
  • Reviews: Guests feel like they’ve stepped back in time to the golden age of Hollywood and love the service
    • Google Reviews: 4.6/5(910)
  • Wi-Fi: Free high-speed Wi-Fi
  • Rooms: Luxurious and spacious with pink and green color scheme, marble bathrooms, private patios or balconies and high-end amenities
  • Parking: Valet parking available for fee
  • Budget: 5-star, befitting its location in Beverly Hills
One Of The Best Hotel to Stay in La: Hollywood Roosevelt

Hollywood Roosevelt

Roosevelt has been a hot spot since 1927. It hosted the first Academy Awards in 1929. The building has a Spanish design and gardens that give it an old-school feel. But it also has modern amenities like a popular pool area with a David Hockney painting and a nightclub called Teddy’s. The Hollywood sign is close when go with car which adds to the area’s charm. The hotel has some one-of-a-kind features like a 24/7 restaurant, an old-school bowling alle. There’s always something happening at The Roosevelt so it’s a fun place to stay.

  • Location: On the Hollywood Walk of Fame, across from the Chinese Theatre and Dolby Theatre
  • Amenities: Tropicana pool with David Hockney mural, multiple dining options including 24-hour burger joint and upscale steakhouse, vintage bowling alley, Teddy’s nightclub, underground speakeasy
  • Reviews: Travelers love the old Hollywood feel, pool scene and location
    • Google Reviews: 4.4/5 (5167)
  • Rooms: Old Hollywood decor with modern amenities, some with balconies or patios overlooking the pool or city
  • Wi-Fi: Free
  • Parking: Valet parking available for fee
  • Budget: Mid to high-range, good value for the Hollywood location and historic charmTerranea Resort
Terranea Resort

Terranea Resort

When you want to really get away without leaving LA, check out Terranea. This big oceanfront resort on the Palos Verdes Peninsula feels like you’re miles from the city. The resort spans 102 acres of coastline and has everything you need for a seaside escape—from big rooms with ocean views to a top-rated spa, four pools and tons of outdoor activities. You can walk the resort’s trails, play golf on the nine-hole course or just sit on your balcony and watch dolphins in the water. With eight dining options from casual cafes to fancy restaurants you might not want to leave.

If you want to venture out to other areas, Manhattan Beach is a coastal hot spot for its laid-back beachy vibe, long shorelines, great dining and outdoor activities.

  • Location: Rancho Palos Verdes, about an hour from downtown LA on the Palos Verdes Peninsula
  • Amenities: Four pools (adult-only and family), full-service spa, nine-hole golf course, fitness center, hiking trails, multiple dining options, kids’ club
  • Reviews: Guests love the coastal views, luxury and tranquility
    • Google Reviews: 4.6/5 (6088)
  • Rooms: Spacious and luxurious with ocean views, balconies or patios, high-end amenities
  • Wi-Fi: Free resort-wide Wi-Fi
  • Parking: Self and valet parking available for fee
  • Budget: High-end, resort-style pricing for the grounds and amenities
One Of The Best Hotel to Stay in La: The Wayfarer Downtown LA

The Wayfarer Downtown LA

For budget travelers who want style and location, The Wayfarer is a good option. This downtown LA hostel/hotel hybrid has shared and private rooms in a DTLA location. It’s young and fun with shared spaces like a rooftop bar and kitchen where you can meet other travelers. Bunk up in a shared quad or spread out in a private suite—either way you’ll have access to all the amenities and activities from morning yoga to evening pub crawls. And with a location just a few blocks from the Staples Center and LA Live you’re in the middle of it all.

  • Location: DTLA, walking distance to Staples Center, LA Live and other top attractions
  • Amenities: Rooftop bar, communal kitchen, guest lounge, laundry facilities, co-working space, daily activities and events
  • Reviews: Travelers love the atmosphere, cleaness and value for the location
    • Google Reviews: 3.8/5(798)
  • Rooms: Shared and private rooms, all modern and comfortable
  • Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
  • Parking: No on-site parking, public parking nearby
  • Budget: Budget to mid-range, one of the most affordable downtown
One Of The Best Hotel to Stay in La:

Hotel Figueroa

With almost 100 years of history, Hotel Figueroa is a downtown LA landmark with a feminist legacy. Originally opened in 1926 as a place for women only, this historic hotel has been a haven for women pioneers throughout its past. Recently restored to its 1920s Spanish Colonial glory, the hotel looks like it did in the 1920s, with Spanish style and lots of beautiful art, plants and decorations that remind you of Morocco. The rooms are just as beautiful, with a mix of vintage and modern furniture and bold colors. And with a coffin-shaped pool, three dining options and a calendar full of events, there’s always something going on at The Fig.

  • Location: DTLA, across from LA Live and Crypto.com Arena
  • Amenities: Outdoor pool, multiple dining options including a coastal Italian restaurant and poolside bar, art collection, live music and events
  • Reviews: Guests love the restoration, rooms and vibe
    • Google Reviews: 4.2/5 ( 1510)
  • Rooms: Unique design with vintage and modern decor, Moroccan touches and high-end amenities
  • Wi-Fi: Free high-speed
  • Parking: Valet parking available
  • Budget: Mid-range, great value for the location and character

The Georgian

And finally, The Georgian is a Santa Monica icon that’s been around since 1933. This Art Deco gem is right on Ocean Avenue and has vintage charm and ocean views. You can’t miss the bright blue-green outside and glowing sign, it’s like old Hollywood. The rooms are bright and airy with a beachy palette of whites and blues and Art Deco touches. But the view is the real star – book an ocean view room and wake up to the sight of Santa Monica Beach stretching out before you. Downstairs the Veranda Restaurant serves all day dining with a side of people watching on Ocean Avenue.

Venice Beach with its boardwalk and canals is a nearby attraction that’s fun to explore and relax.

  • Location: Santa Monica, across the street from the beach and a short walk to the pier
  • Amenities: Restaurant, speakeasy-style bar, fitness center, in-room record players
  • Reviews: Travelers praise the historic charm, friendly staff and location
    • Google Reviews: 4.3/5 (610)
  • Rooms: Bright and beachy with Art Deco touches, some with ocean views
  • Wi-Fi: Free
  • Parking: Valet parking available
  • Budget: Mid to high range, competitive for the location

End

LA has hotels for every taste, budget and neighborhood. Whether you want to hang with the stars in Beverly Hills, sunbathe in Santa Monica or get your creative on in Downtown LA, there’s a hotel for you.

LA is a big city, so location is everything. Think about your itinerary and choose a hotel that’s close to what you want to see and do. Areas like Los Feliz and attractions like the La Brea Tar Pits have history, art and unique dining. Many of the hotels on this list have amenities like free Wi-Fi, on-site dining and fitness centers but check the details before you book.

Prices in LA vary by season so always shop around and compare rates across platforms. Many hotels offer packages and discounts for advance bookings or longer stays.

Whichever hotel you choose you’ll have an amazing time in the City of Angels. From the moment you step into your room you’ll feel the LA magic. So go ahead, book that dream hotel and start planning your LA trip. The stars are waiting.