2 Best Hotels in Los Angeles, California

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 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.