I've Lived in Los Angeles for 47 Years, and These Are the Best Places to Stay

The City of Angels has hundreds of hotels, but this guide will help you narrow down where to stay.

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. But choosing a place to stay in Los Angeles can be overwhelming, especially if it's your first visit. As a Hermosa Beach resident who has lived in Greater Los Angeles for 47 years, I've curated this guide to help you figure out where to stay depending on the kind of vacation you're after. Trying to avoid traffic and stay somewhere without a car? There's a neighborhood for that. Planning a family vacation, a couples' getaway, or a solo trip? Los Angeles has you covered. Here, the perfect neighborhood and hotel choices in L.A. for every kind of traveler.

Related: 24 Fun Things to Do in LA That Are Totally Free

The Best L.A. Neighborhood to Stay in for Families: Los Feliz

Looking for a neighborhood that's close to Griffith Observatory, from which you can hike to the iconic Hollywood sign? You're looking for Los Feliz. "Not only is Los Feliz a charming, family-friendly village, but it's right next to the excitement of Hollywood without any of the crowds," says Maya Kachroo-Levine, a senior editor atTravel + Leisure who's been based in the Los Feliz/Silver Lake area for seven years. "Have brunch at All Time, or if you need some quick sustenance before a hike, grab breakfast tacos at Homestate." Los Feliz is close to Universal Studios, the Los Angeles Zoo, and Hollywood, where you'll find Paramount Studios and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "Don't miss the Hollywood Farmers' Market on Sundays," Kachroo-Levine added. "And Barnsdall Art Park is a classic — it's perfect for a picnic and has wide-open play spaces for the kids, plus great views and Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House for the adults."

The Best Hotel in the Los Feliz Area

Cara Hotel

Cara Hotel, a relatively new boutique property near the border between Los Feliz and Hollywood, was a Travel + Leisure It List winner in 2021. It feels like an "unexpectedly serene oasis in one of L.A.'s hippest neighborhoods," says Nina Ruggiero, T+L's editorial director, who stayed there and reviewed the hotel. Ruggiero notes each of the 60 rooms have balconies, and there's a chic tranquility pool in the center of the property.

That said, a vacation rental may be the best way to go for families in this neighborhood. Homes within walking distance of top attractions, including Griffith Park and the shops and eateries lining Hillhurst and Vermont Avenues, abound on Airbnb and Vrbo.

The Best L.A. Area to Stay in for Sand, Sun, and Surf: South Bay

This region just south of Los Angeles International Airport includes the cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach, all with expansive shorelines, great restaurants, shopping, and walkable downtowns. As a long-time Hermosa Beach resident, I can promise the surfing, paddleboarding, volleyball, swimming, sunbathing, and people-watching will keep you and any travel companions busy. The 22-mile Marvin Braude Bike Trail starts in Torrance and runs north along the entire South Bay beachfront before curving around Marina Del Ray, passing the Santa Monica Pier, and ending at Will Rogers State Beach. Manhattan Beach boasts restaurant choices from casual to upscale, and its pier includes the Roundhouse, a free aquarium.

The Best Hotels in the South Bay

Westdrift Manhattan Beach, Autograph Collection

Just minutes from LAX, this hotel offers a casual, beachy vibe along 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 guest rooms — makes it a destination in itself.

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.

Portofino Hotel and Marina

The 161-room Portofino Hotel and Marina — situated on its own jetty in Redondo Beach's King Harbor — offers a nautical environment, a heated pool, complimentary bicycles, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a short drive from Redondo's walkable Riviera Village for dining and shopping.

The Best L.A. Area 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 in Brentwood, offers stunning views and a remarkable restaurant along with its popular art collection. Other museums catering to every taste include the Eames Foundation, Bergamot Station Arts Center, the Museum of Flying, the Skirball Cultural Center, and the Museum of Tolerance. Meanwhile, fashion enthusiasts can head to Santa Monica Place, Rodeo Drive, or the Beverly Center to shop or browse.

The Best Hotels in L.A.’s Westside area

Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel

The Beverly Wilshire offers glamour and history along with stunning restaurants, including Cut, Wolfgang Puck's Michelin-starred steakhouse, and THEBlvd, a restaurant and lounge with outdoor seating that overlooks Wilshire Boulevard. A visit to the hotel's spa is a lovely vacation indulgence.

Hotel Bel-Air

Set among the wooded foothills of the Santa Monica mountains, this hotel has attracted star-studded clientele for over 75 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.

L’Ermitage Beverly Hills

L'Ermitage Beverly Hills is a sophisticated hideaway just steps from Rodeo Drive. It was named the best hotel in Greater Los Angeles in Travel _ Leisure's World's Best Awards. "Many travelers — including VIPs like celebrities and foreign officials — choose this 116-suite hotel, located on a quiet residential street, for the sense of privacy it provides," reports Sarah Bruning, special projects and surverys editor for Travel + Leisure and a Southern California native.

Related: The 15 Best Hotels in Greater Los Angeles

The Best L.A. Neighborhood to Stay in Without a Car: Downtown (DTLA)

With a growing number of residents, loft apartments, luxury condos, great bars, and creative restaurants, DTLA – one of the city's most walkable neighborhoods – no longer clears out at the end of the workday. Cultural opportunities abound, from the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Grammy Museum, and the Microsoft Theater to 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.

The Best Hotels in Downtown L.A.

Conrad Los Angeles

The 305-key Conrad Los Angeles, which made T+L's 2023 It List, has gorgeous modern interiors, a rooftop terrace and pool, and two restaurants by celebrated chef José Andrés. "Our spacious one-bedroom corner suite had a prime city view and was tricked out with smart technology (blackout curtains, motion-activated lights beneath the bed)," reported Bruning, who stayed at the hotel in early 2023. "The food was outstanding, but if I were pressed to pick a favorite, Agua Viva (the property’s casual, alfresco option) was the spot I’d return to time and time again for its grilled skewers, smashed txule burger, and build-your-own hand rolls"

Hotel Figueroa

Hotel Figueroa, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, 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.

The Best L.A. Area 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 its energetic nightlife for nearly a century. Live-music clubs like The Roxy Theatre and the Whisky a Go Go, and comedy clubs like the Laugh Factory and the Comedy Store, have been the starting point for many popular entertainers. So have other WeHo staples like the Troubadour or Largo at the Coronet. This small, LGBTQ-friendly city has an array of nightclubs, bars, lounges, and glitzy rooftops featuring music from retro to jazz to hip-hop, as well as restaurants, shops, and boutique hotels.

The Best Hotels in West Hollywood

Pendry West Hollywood

Occupying an entire block on the Sunset Strip, Pendry West Hollywood comprises 149 rooms and suites, a rooftop pool, a spa, a private social club, and multiple restaurants by Wolfgang Puck. After dinner, head to the property's 100-seat live-music venue or its private bowling alley.

The West Hollywood Edition

Situated on Sunset Boulevard, where West Hollywood meets Beverly Hills, the 190-room West Hollywood Edition offers a perfect location for easily exploring the area. Guests can look forward to a stylish rooftop pool and terrace, a full-service day spa, and a restaurant focusing on vegetable-forward California cuisine.

The New 'It' Destination to Stay in: Culver City

Nicknamed the the "Heart of Screenland", Culver City is deeply rooted in the filmmaking industry. The area is still home to the landmark Sony Pictures Studios (formerly the M-G-M Studios), but a recent revitalization has led to its current label as the Los Angeles area's new "it" destination. Located less than 10 miles from both Santa Monica and DTLA, Culver City is an ideal base for travelers eager to explore the city and the beach. And with a slew of design-forward restaurants, mom-and-pop shops, cafés, and boutiques, its five-square-miles is buzzing with creative energy.

The Best Hotels in Culver City:

The Shay

Since its opening in 2021, The Shay has been one of the developments spearheading Culver City’s renaissance. The Destination by Hyatt hotel features 148 modern rooms, an industrial-style lobby with towering spaces, and the only rooftop pool in Culver City. Carve out a morning to lounge poolside while enjoying the Canopy Club’s all-day menu and views of the Downtown skyline and the Santa Monica mountains.

The Culver Hotel

Located in the heart of Culver City, this beaux-arts landmark first opened in 1924 and quickly became a hot spot among stars like Judy Garland, Clark Gable, and Greta Garbo. After closing and undergoing a 15-year restoration, the property reopened in 2022 as a boutique hotel inspired by the building’s Old Hollywood history. Today, it boasts 46 individually designed guest rooms, a bistro specializing in French cuisine, and pop-up events ranging from intimate concerts to art exhibitions.

The Best L.A. Area to Stay in for First-time Visitors: Santa Monica

First-time visitors to L.A. have many options. Are they interested in sightseeing, history, theater, music, beaches, or museums? Do they enjoy being in an urban or somewhere less crowded setting? 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 to watch the sun set over the ocean.

The Best Hotels in Santa Monica:

Santa Monica Proper Hotel

Located at Wilshire Boulevard and 7th Street within walking distance of the beach, the 267-room Santa Monica Proper Hotel offers a design-forward base for exploring the area's boutiques, farmers' markets, and health-conscious cafés. Inside the hotel, you’ll find Surya Spa, which focuses on Ayurvedic treatments, and a rooftop pool and restaurant with impressive sunset views.

Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows

Set on manicured grounds, this hotel offers 297 guest rooms, 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.

Viceroy Santa Monica

The Viceroy brand’s flagship hotel has been a landmark on Ocean Avenue for more than 20 years. Many of its 162 rooms come with ocean vistas, while its two sparkling outdoor pools with cabanas allow guests to make the most of sunny Southern California.

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