Los Angeles is not known for being the easiest city to navigate as a tourist. However, what it lacks in simplicity it more than makes up for in accommodations. Simply put, LA has some seriously epic hotels, which have seen some seriously epic people do some seriously epic things over the years. The New York Times once asked if any American city does hotels as well as Los Angeles, and the answer was most assuredly “no.”
If you think you’re going to come to Hollywood and see stars on the street, you’re probably wrong. However, you can see them in your hotel’s restaurant, lobby or pool if you plan properly. Or, you can opt for a less celebrity-centric (but just as fabulous) experience—stick your toes in the sand in Santa Monica, do a little trend-spotting in east LA or explore the revitalized downtown area.
Whether you’ve been dreaming of the beach or would prefer to shack up somewhere with paparazzi parked outside, we’ve got you covered; here, the best of LA’s impressive selection of one-of-a-kind hotels.
Chateau Marmont
If you want to behave a bit on the naughty side during your stay in Los Angeles, this hotel is probably a good choice for accommodations. The Chateau Marmont has a storied past: members of Led Zeppelin once rode motorcycles through its lobby; James Dean allegedly jumped out of one of the Chateau's windows to impress the director of Rebel Without a Cause, who was there having an affair with a then-underage Natalie Wood; and so on it goes.
Gaining access to the hotel's shared bar and restaurant areas are perhaps the best reason to stay at the Chateau, however, whether you plan on debauchery or not. Within their exclusive walls, you'll be able to casually star gaze—A-listers included. Plus, the Chateau is pretty centrally located in the event you're motivated to explore off property.
Book a room here.
Beverly Hills Hotel
Long before it was ubiquitous everywhere on Instagram, the Beverly Hills Hotel made banana-leaf wallpaper iconic. Much like the Chateau, if the hotel's walls could talk, they'd have a lot to say about celebrities. (Fun fact: Elizabeth Taylor had six different honeymoons with six different new husbands here.)
Even those stars who don't stay at the "Pink Palace" might be spotted breakfasting downstairs at The Fountain Room (aka The Counter) or eating at the Polo Lounge. If you join them doing the latter, order the McCarthy salad. For drinks, Nineteen12 doesn't quite compete with the Chateau in terms of scene, but it'll do nicely nonetheless given you can get your fill of Hollywood's elite pricey pancakes the next morning, should you so choose.
Book a room here.
Shutters On The Beach
Perhaps you came to California for the ocean, in which case this famed beachside property in Santa Monica may be well worth consideration. Note, however, that not all rooms face the beach, so you'll want to request one specifically when booking (or, you know, just be sure to actually go out onto the beach as much as possible).
The vibe here is beach cottage-chic, though contemporary artwork by big-name players such as Roy Lichtenstein betray the fact that this is actually a very posh place. So, too, do the A-listers often seen brunching on the terrace. Though nightlife isn't really the thing here, Shutters is next door to a sister hotel called Casa del Mar, which has a bit more of a bar scene. The neighborhood is also dense and very walkable if you're interested in a party (or simply venturing off property).
Book a room here.
Hotel Covell
For a different—and yet equally scene-y—scene, go east instead and stay at this boutique hotel located in Los Feliz. Hotel Covell has just five apartment-style rooms, and they're usually full so be sure to book well in advance.
Downstairs, Bar Covell offers an extensive wine list and a chance to watch LA's young and hip as you sip. Plus, a stay at the hotel gets you discounts at its owner's other trendy, eastside establishments including L&E Oyster Bar, Hermosillo, El Condor and more.
Book a room here.
The LINE Los Angeles
The LINE is located in what its proprietors call LA's "only 24-hour neighborhood," which may be accurate. Koreatown is one of the most happening spots in the city right now—only downtown, to which it is close, is buzzier—but that doesn't mean it's all trend and no substance. On the contrary, this hotel epitomizes the ways in which the neighborhood manages to mix the contrived and the authentic into a one-of-a-kind experience.
For an uber-LA vibe, lounge near the hotel's second-floor pool while ordering food from menus designed by famed local chef Roy Choi. Or, move into the Commissary to dine while surrounded by plants—the restaurant is located in an actual greenhouse. After, grab a bike from the lobby and peddle around town in order to earn the requisite Korean-barbecue-crawl-culminating-in-karaoke you'll inevitably embark upon later in the night.
Book a room here.
Sunset Tower
The Sunset Tower is another hotel with a storied past—it was once an apartment building which famously housed Marilyn Monroe, Howard Hughes, Elizabeth Taylor and more. In 2004, the then-dilapidated hotel was bought and renovated to become storied once more; anyone who is anyone has dined at its restaurant, which was once Bugsy Siegel's old apartment.
Expect floor-to-ceiling windows in your room, freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies at turndown, and a fast friendship with famed maître d Dimitri Dimitrov.
Book a room here.
Hotel Casa del Mar
Casa del Mar is Shutters' next-door neighbor, and you really can't go wrong with either. This hotel has somewhat Italian vibes, albeit mixed with a dash of California cool to keep the property feeling relaxed. There's a pool and a hot tub overlooking the ocean, restaurants with floor-to-ceiling windows which also look to the sea, and a lounge which boasts nightly entertainment.
Book a room here.
The London
The London, located centrally in West Hollywood near the action on Sunset, offers a grown-up environment which seamlessly mixes the chicest of London and LA culture. Picture rooftop yoga classes and shopping sprees on Rodeo Drive alongside food by Gordon Ramsey, an English bulldog mascot who greets guests in the lobby, and complimentary calls to London.
Rooms here are large and luxurious, which means they're great for relaxing into after a day spent upstairs at the rooftop pool (which is a hotspot for travelers and locals alike). You may also catch a glimpse of a celebrity or two during your stay, as the hotel has its own screening room which is often used for junkets and small premieres.
Book a room here.
Ace Hotel
Once dusty downtown Los Angeles is now hopping, and the Ace hotel—carved out of the old United Artists building—is in the center of the action. Its 182 rooms are topped with a rooftop bar and plunge pool, and on the bottom floor you'll find a bistro which attracts too-cool locals as well as spillover guests from the Ace Theatre next door.
Book a room here.
Montage
If location is everything to you, and you've long dreamed of living that 90210 life, this is the hotel for you. Though several of the other hotels on this list are technically situated in Beverly Hills, only the Montage is walking distance from Rodeo Drive and also surrounded by some of the fanciest restaurants in town.
And if you don't want to leave? Well, that's easy enough, as the Montage also somehow simultaneously feels like its own zip code. There's an outdoor garden area where visiting couples lounge and agents working nearby lunch as much rosé is served along the perimeter. The property also boasts several restaurants—which rival the famous establishments populating this neighborhood— multiple bars, and a rooftop pool.
Book a room here.
The Roosevelt Hollywood
Here is yet another hotel with a storied star-centric history. The first Academy Awards were held here, and the party hasn't stopped since. As the Roosevelt is known for its nightlife, it's not necessarily the place to go in order to unwind. On the contrary, stay here if you prefer not to have to leave your hotel at night in order to get some of the city's best after-dark offerings. Bars include the Tropicana (poolside), the Library Bar and the Spare Room, which is a celebrity-beloved bowling alley. For food, options include a party-perfect 24/7 diner and an upscale brasserie, highlights from which can be ordered up to your room any time of day or night.
And speaking of the rooms... they're nice, too, but does it really matter? Probably not, if you do the Roosevelt right.
Book a room here.
Hotel Bel-Air
Hotel Bel-Air is where the rich and famous go to not be seen... while still being seen. It's tucked away in the hills of the swanky Bel-Air neighborhood, which lends the hotel a truly exclusive vibe, but that doesn't stop local heavy hitters from visiting its glam bar or the hotel's Wolfgang Puck-helmed restaurant.
Oh, and there's a lake. With swans. Because, of course there is.
Book a room here.
Malibu Beach Inn
Malibu isn't your average beach town, catering to tourists with tacky souvenir shops and endless resorts. In fact, this sweet spot was, for a long time, pretty much the only chic accommodations option in Malibu for out-of-towners until recently.
Stay here for one reason: Carbon Beach. This isn't to say the rooms aren't nice, or that the guests-only restaurant doesn't make excellent food—they are and it does (e.g. grilled avocado, seafood bowls and more). It's just that unless you have rich friends in the hood, it'd be hard to get this experience otherwise.
Book a room here.
Surfrider Malibu
New to the Malibu scene is the Surfrider, a recently renovated 1950's motel (now, posh). Designed to look like a beach house, the hotel's motto is "Make yourself at home." All but one of its rooms overlook the ocean, and there's a guests-only rooftop restaurant (its menu featuring local and organic dishes) and bar with an epic view, too. Because Malibu is nothing if not a haven for the surf crowd, custom boards are available for guests to borrow if they want to join those braving the waves.
Book a room here.
Waldorf Astoria
One of LA's newest hotels, the Waldorf Astoria is about as extra as you'd expect of the brand's foray into Beverly Hills. On its ground floor is a Jean Georges restaurant, but it's the rooftop bar and restaurant which provide's the main draw when it comes to the hotel's dining options—it's one of the few places in this part of the city offering this sweeping view. It's also, as you might expect, an excellent place to go people watching.
Book a room here.
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
For locals, this hotel is a hotspot due to its bar, known as The Bungalow, which is one of the few really scene-y watering holes on this side of town. They also favor Fairmont's Fig restaurant, which offers an epic happy hour.
For visitors, the main draw might be the Fairmont's location near Santa Monica's bustling, tourist-drawing Third Street Promenade and, of course, the beach.
Book a room here.
Petit Ermitage
Out of all of the hotels on this list, we'd have to say that this is one of our favorites. It's quirky in a way most hotels in Los Angeles aren't, and it retains a sort of insider-y vibe despite extensive press.
Most notable is the hotel's rooftop bar, restaurant, and heated saltwater pool. This area is so coveted that some locals pay a membership fee for access. And though Petit Ermitage is centrally located in West Hollywood, near the action on Sunset, you'd be forgiven for spending the bulk of your holiday here among the hummingbirds and butterflies on the roof.
Book a room here.
Freehand LA
This new hotel, situated in buzzy downtown, is located in a historic building just blocks from the must-visit Grand Central Market. It caters to a younger crowd by offering both private and shared, dormitory rooms. Notably for this very same demographic, the Freehand's rooftop bar—The Broken Shaker—is quite popular (and even award-winning). On-property Israeli restaurant The Exchange provides a draw for locals, too.
Book a room here.
Beverly Wilshire Hotel
If you're the type of person who wants lobster, Wagyu beef and wheatgrass shots served to you as you lounge poolside, this is your spot. The Four Seasons hotel is located in an ornate building—which looks a little out of place in LA, TBH—on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, just south of Rodeo Drive, and service of all stripes here is exceptional. The Beverly Wilshire is known for its luxe spa as well as for its scene-y patio restaurant, THE BLVD.
Book a room here.
Four Seasons Beverly Hills
This Four Seasons—located just a bit Northeast from the Beverly Wilshire—is a local favorite for drinking, dining and relaxing poolside. It's also a celebrity haunt. Stay here to rub elbows with the rich and famous and enjoy an oasis-type setting conveniently located in an area that's about as central as things come in LA. New wellness-oriented rooms may also provide a draw—they come equipped with Peloton bikes, air-purifiers, circadian lighting and more.
Book a room here.
Nobu Ryokan Malibu
This new hotel, like the other Malibu spots on this list, was converted from a 1950's motel by yet another heavy hitter—Larry Ellison. Stay here if you like living your best life... and have a budget of $2000 per night (in the low season). Nobu Ryokan has a serene vibe borrowed from Japan, and one of its best details is its room's soaking tubs, situated under skylights. Also, room service is from famed sushi spot Nobu... if you're into that sort of thing.
Book a room here.
The Rose Hotel
If you don't have thousands of dollars to spend per night but still want to post up near the beach, here's an option located one block from another of LA's most famous sand spots: Venice. Here, expect cool customers in every sense of the word—the vibe is chilled, but hip. (Staff wear custom Rag & Bone uniforms, for example, and only Stumptown coffee is served.) At The Rose, it pays to be choosy about your room—some rooms have claw foot tubs, and second floor abodes offer stellar views.
Book a room here.
Intercontinental Hotel
The Intercontinental is the tallest building west of Chicago, and its rooftop bar, Spire73, is the highest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere. The resultant sweeping views of the city are the hotel's main draw, though its location in the midst of everything downtown doesn't hurt, either. Plus, there are myriad dining options attached to the Intercontinental's 889 rooms—a French-inspired steakhouse, a sushi restaurant, Spire 73 and an all-day buffet restaurant which is a lot more luxe than it sounds.
Book a room here.
The Mondrian
If this is your first trip to LA and you want to stay somewhere with quintessential Hollywood (Sunset Strip, more specifically) vibes, this is a good choice. Its daytime pool scene is cool enough to draw locals and at night, Skybar is always a good time. Plus, you're within walking distance of all that this busy section of Sunset has to offer—restaurants, hotel bars and infamous spots like Saddle Ranch Chop House, the Whiskey a Go Go, and The Viper Room, all of which are must-visits for LA virgins.
Recently remodeled rooms here are gorgeous, too, so you won't be sacrificing style or comfort in exchange for the party.
Book a room here.
The Beverly Hilton Hotel
The Golden Globes take place here, if that gives you any sense of the scope of the hotel. It's got kinda kitschy '60s vibes, which may provide an Instagram draw to those in that way inclined (the pool area, especially). It's also located within walking distance of Rodeo Drive and, as is appropriate given the hotel's Beverly Hills location, service is impeccably decadent. On-property dining is limited to Circa 55, which offers local and organic takes on California classics, but there are tons of Beverly Hills hotspot restaurants within a stone's throw.
Book a room here.
