Hotels + Resorts Where to Stay in Los Angeles: From the Beach to the Hills and Everywhere in Between The City of Angels has a lot of hotels, but this guide will help you decide where to rest your head. By Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty Instagram Patricia Doherty is a writer who specializes in covering destinations, resorts, and cruises for Travel + Leisure and other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on April 25, 2019 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: iStockphoto/Getty Images The Los Angeles area has much to offer vacationers, from beaches to mountains, hip urban locales to natural open spaces, and museums to theme parks, making it a challenge to answer the question, "Where should I stay in Los Angeles?" Are you seeking sunshine and beaches, Los Angeles nightlife, trendy restaurants, theme parks, romantic spots, museums, or sports events? With so many options and so much ground to cover, it can be a bit overwhelming, especially if it's a visitor's first time in Los Angeles. L.A.'s reputation for traffic is well known, so many people want to know where to stay without a car. Others are planning a family vacation in Los Angeles, a couples' getaway, or a solo trip. We've created a guide that will not only inspire a visit to the City of Angels but will also help you figure out where to rest your head at night. 24 Fun Things to Do in LA That Are Totally Free Here's where to stay in Los Angeles, California. The Best L.A. Neighborhood to Stay in for Families: Hollywood For many, Hollywood embodies Los Angeles, with its iconic Hollywood sign, movie studios, and entertainment history. A visit to Universal Studios, the Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo, Paramount Studios, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame will make people of all ages happy. TV show tapings, double-decker tour buses, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, and movies with stage shows at the El Capitan Theater are also popular attractions. For nature lovers, a hike in Runyan Canyon or horseback riding in Griffith Park will round out a trip to Hollywood. Courtesy of The Kimpton Everly Hotel The Best Hotels in the Hollywood Area The Kimpton Everly Hotel The 216-room Kimpton Everly Hotel is conveniently located near all of the attractions, but just distant enough to provide a respite from the day's activities. Views of the L.A. skyline or Hollywood Hills, a 5th-floor pool, an inviting restaurant, and a rooftop bar enhance the experience. 1800 Argyle Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028, (213) 279-3532, everlyhotelhollywood.com To book: expedia.com Dream Hollywood In the midst of Hollywood's lively atmosphere, the Dream offers 178 luxurious rooms (including a penthouse suite), a rooftop pool with cabanas, trendy restaurants such as Tao, Beauty & Essex, and The Highlight Room, and 360-degree views. The pet-friendly hotel welcomes dogs under 25 lbs with treats and toys. 6417 Selma Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028, (323) 844-6417, dreamhotels.com To book: expedia.com The Garland The Garland offers 257 guest rooms, including family suites and kids' rooms with bunk beds and kid-friendly amenities. Courtyard family games, poolside "dive-in" movies, and a complimentary trolley to Universal Studios, along with its Front Yard restaurant make this an ideal family hotel. 4222 Vineland Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91602, (818) 980-8000, thegarland.com To book: expedia.com Sheraton Universal Hotel The Sheraton Universal Hotel is convenient for visiting Universal Studios and Universal CityWalk with its shops, restaurants, and movie theaters. It's a pet-friendly hotel and welcomes small furry family members. The newly renovated outdoor pool and terrace offer a place to relax with a snack or beverage. 333 Universal Hollywood Dr, Universal City, CA 91608, (818)-980-1212, starwoodhotels.com To book: expedia.com Amanda Blackard/Travel + Leisure The Best L.A. Neighborhood to Stay in for Sand, Sun, and Surf: South Bay This beachfront area just south of LAX includes the cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach, all with expansive shorelines, restaurants, shops, and walkable downtown areas. Surfing, paddle-boarding, volleyball, swimming, sunbathing, and people-watching will keep everyone busy. A 22-mile oceanfront bike path begins at Torrance Beach in the south, winds through beach towns, passes the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, and ends at Will Rogers Beach in the north. Manhattan Beach boasts restaurant choices from upscale to casual, and its pier includes the Roundhouse, a free aquarium. Courtesy of westdrift Manhattan Beach The Best Hotels in the South Bay Area Westdrift Manhattan Beach Just minutes from LAX, this hotel offers a casual beachy vibe with striking artwork and decor, blended with a cosmopolitan feel. The pool surrounded by comfy lounges, a nine-hole golf course, bicycles, a lobby bar, a restaurant, and 385 inviting guestrooms make it a destination in itself. 1400 Parkview Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, (310) 546-7511, marriott.com To book: expedia.com Beach House This all-studio suite hotel on the Strand in Hermosa Beach is steps from the sand and a short walk to restaurants, shops, bars, the pier, and Hermosa's Comedy & Magic Club where Jay Leno appears almost weekly. All 96 suites include a fireplace, balcony or patio, and continental breakfast. 1300 The Strand, Hermosa Beach, CA. 90254, (310) 374-3001, beach-house.com To book: expedia.com Portofino Hotel and Marina The 161-room Portofino Hotel and Marina in Redondo Beach — situated on its own private peninsula — offers a nautical environment, heated pool, complimentary bicycles, restaurant, fitness center, and a convenient location near Redondo's walkable "Hollywood Riviera" downtown area for dining and shopping. 260 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, CA 90277, (310) 379-8481, hotelportofino.com To book: expedia.com The Best L.A. Neighborhood to Stay in for Solo Travelers: The Westside Known for top restaurants, trendy boutiques, designer shops, and cultural attractions, L.A.'s Westside is an ideal destination for the solo traveler. The Getty Center high atop a hill offers stunning views and a remarkable restaurant along with its popular art collections. Other museums catering to every taste include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, La Brea Tar Pits, Peterson Auto Museum, Craft & Folk Art Museum, Skirball Cultural Center, Museum of Tolerance, and Annenberg Space for Photography. Rodeo Drive, Westfield Mall, and the Beverly Center welcome both browsers and shoppers. Courtesy of Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel The Best Hotels in L.A.’s Westside area Beverly Wilshire Beverly Wilshire offers glamour and history along with stunning restaurants, including Cut, Wolfgang Puck's Michelin-starred steakhouse, and The Blvd Restaurant and Lounge, overlooking Wilshire and Rodeo Drive. A visit to the hotel's spa would be a lovely vacation indulgence. 9500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, (310) 275-5200, fourseasons.com To book: expedia.com Courtesy of InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown Hotel Bel-Air Set among wooded hills in the canyons of Los Angeles, this hotel has attracted star-studded clientele for over seventy-five years and still oozes Hollywood glamour. It's private, comfortable, and luxurious, and boasts an outdoor pool where guests can enjoy ice cream, snacks, and food by Wolfgang Puck. 701 Stone Canyon Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90077, (310) 472-1211, thedorcestercollection.com To book: expedia.com Adrian Rudd/Travel + Leisure The Best L.A. Neighborhood to Stay in Without a Car: Downtown (DTLA) Named the "Most Walkable" neighborhood in Los Angeles, DTLA no longer clears out at the end of the workday, with a growing number of residents, loft apartments, luxury condos, great bars, and creative restaurants. Entertainment opportunities abound, from the Disney Concert Hall, the Grammy Museum, the Microsoft Theater, the Los Angeles Convention Center, and museums like The Broad and The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). Dine at upscale restaurants in skyscraper hotels or choose your favorite counter at the Grand Central Market. Valerie de Leon/Travel + Leisure The Best Hotels in Downtown L.A. The InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown Hotel The tallest building on the West Coast boasts a 7th-floor pool and several cocktail lounges, including Spire 73, its open-air rooftop bar. Breathtaking views, comfortable rooms, and a central location make it a great home base for exploring DTLA. 900 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017, (213) 688-7777, ihg.com To book: expedia.com The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles Set among restaurants, Cypto.com Arena, and other entertainment venues, The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles offers luxury accommodations, a rooftop pool with panoramic views, spa services, and world-class cuisine right in the thick of the city. 900 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015, (213) 743-8800, ritzcarlton.com To book: expedia.com Hotel Figueroa Hotel Figueroa was once a women's hostelry and the site of Moroccan-themed soirees. Now, this 14-story luxury hotel features 268 rooms and suites, a coffin-shaped pool, and four eateries and bars that show off the culinary skills of chefs Joana Cruz and AJ McCloud. 939 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015, (866) 734-6018, hotelfigueroa.com To book: expedia.com The Best L.A. Neighborhood to Stay in for Nightlife: West Hollywood The Sunset Strip, a nearly two-mile section of Sunset Boulevard passing through West Hollywood, has been known for music, entertainment, and nightlife for nearly a hundred years. Live music clubs like The Troubadour, the Roxy Theatre, Whisky a GoGo, comedy clubs including Laugh Factory, Comedy Store, and The Groundlings, and small theaters like Largo at the Coronet were the starting point for many popular entertainers. There are nightclubs, bars, lounges, and glitzy rooftops featuring music from retro to jazz to hip-hop. This LGBT-friendly area includes venues from casual to fancy as well as restaurants, shops, and boutique hotels. The Best Hotels in West Hollywood Mondrian Los Angeles The Mondrian, a glamorous boutique hotel in the heart of West Hollywood on the Sunset Strip, boasts one of the most popular nightlife spots, Skybar, with stunning views, a poolside bar, and world-class DJ's at night. 8440 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, (323) 650-8999, mondrianhotels.com To book: expedia.com Courtesy of Sunset Marquis Hotel & Villa Sunset Marquis Hotel The Sunset Marquis Hotel offers 152 suites and villas spread over three acres of gardens and private retreats, two heated pools, a recording studio, a photography gallery, a spa, and a live music venue. 1200 Alta Loma Rd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, (310) 657-1333, sunsetmarquis.com To book: expedia.com Kimpton La Peer Hotel Located in West Hollywood's Design District, this 105-room hotel is close to the action while offering a quiet escape on a small side street. The elegant lobby of this pet-friendly hotel opens to an outdoor pool and cocktail lounge. 627 N La Peer Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069, (213) 296-3038, lapeerhotel.com To book: expedia.com The Best L.A. Neighborhood to Stay in for First-Time Visitors: Santa Monica First-time visitors to L.A. have many options open to them. Are they interested in sightseeing, history, theater, music, beaches, or museums? Do they enjoy being in an urban or somewhere less crowded? Santa Monica has a bit of everything: beaches, a walkable downtown, shopping, parks, mountains, restaurants, an amusement park, art galleries, and an extraordinary weekly farmers' market. From Santa Monica, visitors can explore the mountains or enjoy nearby Venice Beach. They can head downtown for the day and then back for sunset over the ocean. The Best Hotels in Santa Monica: Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows Set on manicured grounds, this hotel offers 297 guestrooms, 54 of which are suites, and 31 modern bungalows. The hotel boasts the most ocean-view rooms in Santa Monica and an outstanding restaurant, Fig. 101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310 576 7777, fairmont.com To book: expedia.com Courtesy of Fairmont Miramar Hotels & Bungalows Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit