20 Best Hotels in Los Angeles, California

Bordering the Strand (SoCal's famous bike path on the beach), Beach House looks like a New England sea cottage from a century ago but has contemporary amenities in its bright studio suites. Oceanfront rooms facing the Strand have terrific sunset views and small balconies. All rooms have two TVs, a fireplace, and a wet bar. Expect to pay more for ocean-view rooms and weekend and summer stays. Rent bikes nearby or stroll on the Hermosa Beach pier. A full continental breakfast with yummy muffins and coffee awaits you in the pleasant breakfast room each morning. Many guests book an in-room massage.

The Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island are within view at Terranea, L.A.'s only full-service oceanfront resort straddling 102 terraced acres at land's end on the scenic Palos Verdes Peninsula. Its location gives it the feel of a retreat. A fun pool slide, children's center, and kids' programs allow the youngsters to play, while giving parents time to relax. Walk to the rocky beach, chill out at the extravagant spa, or unwind beside an adults-only pool. There is also a par-3, 9-hole golf course on-site. Every room has a balcony for taking in the splendid location. There's an understated beach vibe to the Spanish Revival architecture and decor, which includes red-tile roofs, wrought iron, and substantial wood furniture. Beds are pillow-topped and have fine Egyptian cotton sheets. Bathrooms are spacious and deluxe. Splurge on a villa or casita if you want more privacy and space. Dining ranges from upscale California cuisine at catalina kitchen, Asian fusion at bashi and gastropub fare at Nelson's (which has amazing views and sunsets) to high-end dining at the signature restaurant, Mar'sel, as well as a selection of more casual options.

This Valley cool kid—a 7-acre hideaway that lures locals and out-of-towners with a stellar restaurant, fun bars, fabulous retro flair, and too many amenities and programming to list—comes with Hollywood pedigree as it was originally opened by '70s TV mom Beverly Garland and her husband in 1973. Lovingly restored and injected with kitschy life by her son and his husband a decade ago, rooms, all of which come with private balconies or patios, double-paned windows, are set in two separate buildings and brimming with pops of orange and loud mid-century patterns. Kids rooms have partitioned areas with bunk beds and DVD players while wellness suites are fitted with a Peloton Bike, BowFlex adjustable weights, white noise machines, and a Mirror fitness system. Spending the entirety of your vacation here would be easy with the large pool, hot tubs, fireplace, a park-like lawn where they hold yoga classes, live music on Thursday and Friday, a taco cart, great gift shop, and games in the courtyard. Want to explore beyond its borders? An adorable trolley can take you to Universal Studios or a metro station for free.

Each apartment-style room at this nine-room boutique hotel is unique, thanks to its designer handpicking custom-made pieces and vintage furnishings to create a cute and modern pad that you'll wished you owned. Set in the middle of Los Feliz's bustling section of Hollywood Boulevard, the Covell is a convenient walk to bars, cafés, and restaurants. Each room also features a kitchenette complete with a Smeg fridge (with microwaves on request), ideal for a quiet meal in. Families—including pets—are welcome, and can be accommodated with cots that are available upon request and larger rooms with pullout couches. There's a rooftop deck and a street-level coffee shop. Unlike other hotels in the city, parking is free.

Cosmopolitan and chic, the London West Hollywood is known for its large suites, rooftop pool with citywide views, and luxury touches throughout. British whimsy includes two bulldogs as hotel mascots (Winston and Churchill). Splurge for a luxury suites and work out in the state-of-the-art fitness center. Due to the 110-seat screening room off the lobby, it can sometimes be a celebrity scene. The talented chef Anthony Keene oversees the cuisine at several dining spots here, including the signature restaurant, Boxwood, and the London Bar. He is an expert at sauces with grilled proteins.

Set right on the sand, this Cape Cod--inspired inn has become synonymous with staycations, with the beachfront location and show-house decor making it one of SoCal's most popular luxury hotels. There are three dreamy dining and entertaining options: The flagship 1 Pico restaurant has launched a refreshed menu under Chef Sean Runyon; come for the blue fin toro steak and stay for the salted caramel popcorn sundae. Prefer something more casual? The Living Room has couches, live entertainment, and spectacular sunset views. Or you can dine beachside at Coast and watch the world go by. The cozy lobby evokes a New England getaway, with a fireplace and tall windows opening out to the Pacific Ocean. Guest rooms have those namesake shutter doors, pillow-top mattresses, small balconies, and built-in cabinets filled with art books and curios. Bathrooms are luxe, each with a deep whirlpool tub, a raft of bath goodies, and a three-nozzle, glass-walled shower. But if you want a more immersive experience, there's also the ONE spa and fitness center. Check out the picture-perfect cabanas in the ocean-view pool area. A $55 daily resort fee includes a welcome drink, daily yoga on the beach, bicycle rentals, a beach concierge, a house car, and more.

Fronted by the historic Horseshoe Garden, this 1907 grande dame spans 23 acres and includes an Italianate-style main building, Spanish Revival cottages, a lanai, an azalea-filled Japanese garden, and several dining options. Traditional guest rooms are handsome. Brocade fabrics are found throughout, as are flat-screen TVs and CD players. Restaurants include the contemporary Cal-French restaurant Royce, with a glass-walled wine room and showy chef's table, and California bistro, The Terrace. The Tap Room hosts Thursday night jazz, and other live music on weekends. The Chuan Spa, L.A.'s skin-technology destination du jour, features treatments derived from Chinese medicine and chemistry labs around the globe.

Andaz on Sunset is Hyatt's fun younger sister, catering to hipsters, techies, and rock stars lounging in the lobby. Sip a cup of tea or a glass of wine in the lounge and admire the artwork. When hungry, wander over to the wide-open hotel restaurant, Riot House, with an open viewing kitchen preparing a variety of dishes made with California ingredients. Guest rooms are large offering ample work space with a task chair, a comfy seating area, and comfortable Hyatt beds. Check out the rooftop pool deck for jetliner city views. Andaz West Hollywood is pet friendly, welcoming dogs up to 50 pounds.

Nicknamed the "Pink Palace," this luxury spot with giant marble bathrooms continues to attract Hollywood's elite after more than 100 years. Celebrity guests favor the private bungalows; others come for the royal treatment by staff. Standard rooms house original artwork, custom-made linens and duvets, and walk-in closets. The hotel's swanky day spa specializes in de-aging treatments, while the Polo Lounge remains an iconic Hollywood meeting place and Bar Nineteen 12 serves swanky sips. The pool (complete with a lifeguard and swim lessons for kids) features cabanas and the Cabana Cafe, popular on warm L.A. afternoons. Canine guests are also pampered here; 24-hour dog-walking service is available.

Home to the Golden Globe Awards, the Beverly Hilton is glitzy and polished, offering spectacular views of Beverly Hills and sizeable balconies in many rooms. In-room bathrooms feel expansive thanks to an opaque glass wall that faces the room and sliding door. Furnishings include versatile leather-top work desks with chairs that swivel to the side. Flat-screen TVs are standard in every room. The iconic pool offers guests an array of bites and drinks while Circa 55 is the hotel's mid-century, modern-styled rooftop restaurant serving California cuisine.

This sophisticated resort with its wide range of amenities—indoor and outdoor pools, multiple delicious restaurants, art gallery, and a sprawling spa and salon—and whole-life wellness programming is technically one L.A. County valley over from The Valley. But as its where quiet luxury-loving denizens in the know go for self-care staycations through the Center For Health & Wellbeing (or to carb-load on the extremely talented pastry chef's breads and desserts in both the all-day café and California brasserie Coin & Candor), it counts. With ample meeting and event spaces, it's also popular with the conference and team-building crowd, which often takes advantage of included fitness classes, meditation sessions, the teaching kitchen, and hiking excursions in the bucolic Santa Monica Mountains seen out the windows of most well-appointed rooms. (Lower levels stare more directly at the lush landscaping and towering rock waterfall.) Although most of the hotel is aimed at pleasing adults such as live jazz at the speakeasy or in-room G&T stations, children will get a kick out of the game room with ping pong and free arcade games, kids' club, and The Cove, a sun-worshipper's dream sanctuary complete with mammoth pool, several hot tubs, hammocks, a bocce court, daybed- and lounge-covered terraces, and a restaurant serving house-made paletas, Wagyu cheeseburgers, and lobster tacos. Sure, it's far from the Hollywood and downtown sites but you'll be enjoying indulging too much to want to leave.

Contemporary style and a central Hollywood location combine for a low-key, casual stay at this Kimpton located just off the busy 101 Freeway. Rooms have large windows with either city or scenic hillside views including the nearby Hollywood Sign. Expect ample counter space and cozy seating. Bathrooms feature eco touches like large refillable bottles of toiletry essentials. Sizable TVs include the ability to log into all the streaming services. There are some friendly guest perks in the art-filled lobby lounge: daily morning coffee and a wine hour. On the ground level, Jane Q is hotel’s bustling coffee shop. Jump start the day with a favorite beverage from cappuccinos to matcha lattes paired with house-made pastries or go for a hearty full American breakfast. Proximity to the Pantages Theatre and the Hollywood Bowl makes the Everly very popular on performance nights. At night, the lobby transforms into Written Hand, the hotel’s upscale dinner spot. Art throughout is from local artists and photographers. 

Part of the massive Ovation Hollywood shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, the 20-story Loews is at the center of Hollywood's action but manages to deliver a quiet night's sleep. Contemporary art and sleek furniture greet you in the lobby and in the rooms, which are graded with large windows overlooking Hollywood. The hotel's restaurant and lobby bar cater to the influx of conventioneers and corporate travelers who visit the property. Meanwhile, the outdoor heated pool comes with stunning sunset views of the neighborhood.

There's nothing thematic about the guest room decor, but guests at this hotel can secure advance dinner reservations and attend magic shows at the Magic Castle, a private club in a 1908 mansion next door for magicians and their admirers. (The club requires jacket and tie for men; kids are allowed only during brunch on weekends. Advance reservations a must.) This former apartment building faces busy Franklin Avenue and is a quick walk to the Metro Red Line stop at Hollywood & Highland. Larger rooms have full kitchens with eating areas. The decent-size heated pool is always open, and the patio has lots of greenery. Continental breakfast (often with a magician performing), 24-hour snacks and soda, and laundry service are complimentary.

Hollywood's best-value property housed in a former motor inn caters to young partygoers, who breeze in and out of the lobby (where coffee is served daily). Black-and-white Hollywood-theme murals line the hallways. Standard rooms are on the small side and are decked out in splashes of purple, orange, or green; each offers typical amenities like flat-screen TVs, rain showers, and air-conditioning. Splurge on the suite, which has a pullout couch, a sitting area, and a private balcony. Easy access to the Sunset Strip and Hollywood's nightlife.

Walk to the ocean side of the soaring atrium at this family- and pet-friendly hotel (formerly the Loews) and you feel like you're on a cruise ship: massive windows give way to the expansive sea below, and sunny "experience managers" are just a text away. All rooms are a minimum of 720 square feet and offer soaking tubs and rain showers, marble counters, and walk-in closets. Rooms come with a complimentary "refreshment center" stocked with drinks and snacks (you can even choose what you want before you arrive). Higher rooms have arched ceilings with side skylights. The state-of-the-art fitness center is joined by the West Coast's only Guerlain spa for true L.A.-grade training and primping. The experience managers are joined by beach butlers to plan out and enhance your stay. Meet friends in the clubby lobby, take in the ocean views over fresh Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare at the dreamy Orla by celebrity chef Michael Mina, or enjoy tableside cocktails at the Orla Bar. If you're seeking something simpler, try Sweet July Cafe (featuring another hot chef collab with Ayesha Curry) for warm drinks, pastries, and other quick bites. Kids and pets go first-class at the Regent, with loaner gear, amenity kits, and special activities.

You might have a sense of déjà vu here—this resort, overlooking L.A.'s largest marina's boats, is a favorite location of dozens of TV and film productions. Traditionally styled rooms are decked out in warm gold tones with French doors, marble baths, and feather beds. Dine outside for a waterside view at Cast & Plow, the hotel's farm-to-table restaurant, or kick back in the clublike lobby lounge or the seasonal poolside Wave Bar and Grill. Families love the 24/7 pool's saline purification system as well as the welcome gifts and scavenger hunts for kids. Club-level rooms are worth the price as food and drinks are available throughout the day in the private lounge. Some rooms come equipped with their own Peloton. Be sure to check out the lovely Sisley Spa.

With a free guest shuttle to Universal Studios and CityWalk and large meeting spaces including a top-floor ballroom with a 270-degree panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills through floor-to-ceiling windows, this Sheraton buzzes year-round with both conventioneers and families. On-site is a huge outdoor pool area with a bar, plenty of seating and games. Rooms come with many useful amenities including flat-screen TVs, high-speed internet, oversize desks, and swiveling office chairs. Purchase access to the club lounge for complimentary food and beverages.

This sprawling five-story hotel, a San Fernando Valley landmark just a short jaunt over the Hollywood Hills, has an updated contemporary look highlighted by the Olympic-size pool and summer patio with an outdoor bar. Slip into sleek booths in the coffee shop for a great affordable breakfast. The adjacent event center is famed for its Hollywood connections.

Retreat to this quiet and artful oasis steps from UCLA, where you can find a cabana-lined pool and sleek lounge, two on-site restaurants with regional cuisine, and a spa that serves brownies and champagne post-massage. This all-suites hotel aims to bring the outdoors in, with mirrors depicting gown-wearing models submerged in the sea, photos of L.A. traffic, and fog-hued interiors. All suites are sizable, and bigger suites include offices and sitting areas. The fern and palm tree-hugged pool area is the place to be on Sunday in summer, when free pool parties lure the young and beautiful locals to line up for free yoga, followed by fruity cocktails.