78 Best Hotels in Los Angeles, California

This citified Ritz-Carlton on the 23rd–26th floors of a 54-story tower within Downtown's L.A. Live entertainment complex features skyline views through expansive windows, blond woods, and smartened-up amenities including a flat-screen TV hidden in the bathroom mirror. Within steps of L.A.'s vast convention center, the Ritz has its own small lobby and rooftop pool separate from the JW Marriott, also in the same shiny skyscraper. The hotel recently completed an art deco--inspired renovation of the lobby, guest rooms and suites, corridors, and Club Lounge. Feather-topped beds are comfortable as can be and have handy bedside spotlights; most rooms have a sunken tub and shower. Club-level rooms include access to a large western-facing lounge (unequaled for sunset views) that offers a daily buffet of five light meals.

Super-contemporary design makes this hotel, rooftop pool, and Skydeck feel like an adults-only playground, and it's just a short walk to the shoreline, the local pier, and Manhattan Beach's lively downtown. Rooms come with features like luxe linens, a rolling desk that can be used in bed or on its own, a heavenly freestanding tub or sunken whirlpool bath surrounded by a movable shoji-like screen, a sculptural fireplace or daybed, and overhead "chromatherapy" lighting that changes color via digital touch plates. Enjoy meals and "Shade Hour" deals in the indoor-outdoor Zinc Lounge; the space also hosts DJs on weekend nights, and serves signature cocktails among the firepit tables.

LAX's swankier hotel had some serious work done to its already sleek look, yet the appeal is in more than just the style; in-transit visitors love the 24-hour room service, pool (with private cabana rentals) and hot tub, fitness center, and airport shuttle, making this the perfect option for an early-morning flight. (That's provided you don't use a car; while room rates are reasonable, parking is $75.) The soundproofed rooms are compact, with slightly softer aesthetics than the refreshed lobby, and have helpful details such as coffee makers, hooks for hanging garment bags, and oversize work desks, which act in tandem to make the guest rooms feel more sophisticated than corporate. An on-site brasserie, California bistro, indoor-outdoor bar and Starbucks offer culinary variety. Pets are welcome.

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.

With views of the Santa Monica Pier, this hotel with a friendly staff offers eco-minded travelers stylish rooms with a modern design, just steps from the sand and sea. The Shore was the first hotel in Santa Monica to receive the prestigious LEED Gold certification for its environmentally friendly design. Giant windows front the property, maximizing the sun's rays and inviting guests to look out onto the expanse of the Pacific below the bluffs. Rooms are awash in beach hues, with aqua throws, sand-color blackout curtains, and rich, wooden furnishings. The temperature automatically adjusts when you enter and exit. A see-through rainfall shower occupies a prime location in standard rooms, offering ocean and city views as you wash the sand out of your hair. Perks include champagne upon arrival, Wi-Fi, and beach cruiser use. Additional amenities include a gym, business center, solar-heated pool and hot tub, and a lobby bar.

Sleek meets desert retro at Silver Lake Pool & Inn, a boutique hotel located on a nondescript stretch of the neighborhood. Enjoy Los Angeles’ sunny climate in its tree-covered courtyards and serene pool. Handmade Moroccan and Italian tilework accentuates the space while the vintage stucco on the exterior spaces pays homage to the Mexican influence on L.A.’s architecture. Silver Lake Pool & Inn is a beautiful oasis with plenty of moments for relaxation away from the bustle of one of the most hipster neighborhoods in town.

Located near Beverly Hills and across the street from the Beverly Center, this elegant French hotel is known for its specialized services to guests and first-class amenities. They have a new specialized in-room "All-Be-Well" wellness program with nature-based restorative experiences, and a complimentary VIP pet package. Pets are welcome and can stay for free, no matter the size or weight. Special amenities for VIP guest pets include a luxury orthopedic dog pad and a discounted grooming session at a nearby pet salon. Breakfast and dinner are available at the ground floor and garden patio of Esterel Restaurant. The hotel has an outdoor heated pool and fitness center.

Built in 1927 as a dorm for silent-film actors, the Crescent is now a fanciful boutique hotel with a great location—within the Beverly Hills shopping triangle—and with an even better price (for the area). Low couches and tables, an indoor/outdoor fireplace, and shimmering candlelight at night give the hotel's public areas a welcoming and sophisticated look. Hallways are lined with Terry O’Neil and Douglas Kirkland portraits of famous stars (all for sale, by the way), while guest rooms feature custom headboards painted with large whimsical pictures of animals like hummingbirds and butterflies, as well as hanging blown-glass lights, sound machines, and splashy color schemes.

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.

Built in 1955 as the headquarters of Standard Oil, the building was completely revamped under the sharp eye of owner André Balazs to become a sleek, cutting-edge hotel with spacious guest rooms. The indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge in a stunning setting has a happening social scene, but be prepared for some attitude at the door. For a less exclusive scene, the Garden Bar on the roof has games and great beer. The Paddle Room lounge is a haven for people-watching.

A 1929 art deco landmark, this boutique hotel on the Sunset Strip brings out as many locals as it does tourists. The lobby sets the tone with dark wood and marble floors; vintage Hollywood star photos add retro glamour to the Tower Bar (a secret celeb favorite), where you can sink into couches and upholstered corners while taking in the dramatic city views. The indoor/outdoor restaurant is poolside and has equally impressive vistas. Guest rooms feature floor to ceiling windows, and some have deep soaking tubs in bathrooms.

Tropical casual meets urbane at this stylized, airy seaside escape, where the cozy rooms, which all have French balconies, draw quite the upscale clientele. The mostly marble bathrooms have seated vanities and supremely refreshing aromatherapy products. The restaurant, Sugar Palm Ocean Avenue, makes the best of its indoor--outdoor ambience with a matching ocean-inspired menu and a huge wraparound bar. At the wood-paneled lounge during awards season, you'll likely catch a slew of celebs air kissing. Glamorous socializing also takes place in the pool and cabana area amid all-white armchairs and divans. Though the Viceroy arrived in town with the new century, the rooms are newly refreshed, with a neutral palette and mid-century-inspired furnishings that are set off by works from local artists. Upper-floor, ocean-view rooms are brilliant at sunset. A $40 daily resort fee includes amenities like a welcome drink, yoga classes, and bikes, while parking is $58.

Fans of EDITION hotels will find a lot to love at this Sunset Strip iteration, thanks to its balance of a chic space and minimalist vibe alongside a pool table and hopping bar in the lobby. Amenities abound, including a lavish spa, a massive gym with Peloton bikes, multiple dining options, a nightclub, and a sublime rooftop pool. Guests can expect Le Labo products in the bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms with massive city views, and a pet-friendly policy in case you want to bring your four-legged friends. Locals and guests like to dine at Ardor for Sunday brunch and dinner.

This 1924 flatiron building smack in the center of Downtown contains a slice of Culver City's history—it was at one time owned by John Wayne, and also housed all 124 "munchkins" during the filming of The Wizard of Oz. The Grand Lobby restaurant, which doubles as a jazz venue, is decked out in wingback chairs and gilded paintings; gaze upward at the original murals and moulding along the ceiling. Rooms mimic the renaissance now occurring in Culver City, with antique furnishings set against modern artwork and flat-screen TVs. Rooms are airy with large windows and have rain-showers (but no tubs), Keurig coffeemakers, 24-hour room service, and free Wi-Fi. Splurge on the larger corner rooms, all of which are accented in purple and offer fun people-watching on Culver Boulevard.

Two blocks south of busy Colorado Boulevard, the Hilton Pasadena is still within walking distance of the city's vast convention center and close to Old Town's boundless options for shopping and dining. A light and airy sandstone lobby says California casual, as do the rooms done in soft beige and browns, complete with pillowy beds. Business travelers appreciate the chaise lounge with a movable desk to work from the chaise or standard desk area. Expect the typical technological gadgetry: flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and plenty of outlets for devices. The rooms with balconies are best.

A convivial lobby and smartly designed rooms set this Kimpton-managed hotel apart from other chains; because of its proximity to UCLA, the Palomar is perfect for friends and families of students. An ergonomic work chair and desk space plus a 24-hour business center aid efficiency; the on-demand yoga (plus a yoga mat in each room!), as well as meditation and Pilates channels promote relaxation. Recycling bins and eco-conscious practices abound. Complimentary coffee and tea in the morning, and a nightly wine hour bring guests together. Pets get pampered for free.

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.