Finding a great hotel in Los Angeles is not difficult: the city offers thousands of places to stay. However, in such a large city, it’s essential to choose the best area for your stay. Therefore, I’ve explored the various neighborhoods of Los Angeles for you and will share why you should or shouldn’t stay in each one, as well as recommend the best hotels in those areas. The choice is vast, but I’m here to help you make the right one!
The Best Places to Stay in Los Angeles
Choosing a great hotel in Los Angeles can be challenging. Los Angeles is one of the largest cities in the United States, covering nearly 1,300 square kilometers. The city is divided into various neighborhoods, each with its own charm. If you’re visiting Los Angeles, you naturally want to see the highlights. That’s why I’ve researched the best neighborhoods around these highlights to make your choice easier.
The Best Neighborhoods in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has an enormous number of neighborhoods, but as a visitor or tourist, you likely want to stay in one of the more well-known areas. Therefore, I’ve compiled a list of the most popular and frequently visited neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
You’ll find information on why you should or shouldn’t stay in each neighborhood and what the best hotels and spots are. There’s plenty of choice, so feel free to explore. Each neighborhood has its own pros and cons.
Important Considerations
Do You Have a Car? If you don’t have a car and rely on public transportation or taxis, the choice is much easier: Opt for one of the beachside neighborhoods: Venice or Santa Monica.
Here, you can easily explore on foot or by scooter/bike, and you can take a bus for a day trip to other parts of Los Angeles. Conversely, traveling around the city without a car is much more challenging.
My Favorite Hotels in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has so many hotels that selecting a few can be overwhelming. Having stayed in LA several times myself, I’ve based my recommendations on personal experience. Here are my top favorite hotels in Los Angeles. They’re not prohibitively expensive (there’s no point in sharing hotels that are beyond reach), so take advantage of these selections!
The Hoxton Downtown
The 4-star Hoxton Hotel is one that we know from London and Amsterdam. They are always pleasant, stylish hotels in central locations, offering comfort and necessary amenities without absurd price tags. The Hoxton in Los Angeles is no different, located in the heart of Downtown LA.
Enjoy excellent dining in one of the fine restaurants, shed some pounds in the spacious gym, and pamper yourself in the spa. When you step outside, you’ll be at nearby attractions in no time or catch the metro while relaxing in your spacious, modern hotel room. It’s well-furnished, with a comfortable bed and a nice bathroom. What more do you need? Given the price level in Los Angeles, The Hoxton is definitely one of our personal favorites!
The Hollywood Roosevelt
If you want to stay in an iconic Hollywood hotel, you should head to The Roosevelt. This is the place where the very first Academy Awards were held in 1929. The hotel is right on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, offering an unbeatable location. There’s a stunning pool that has been used multiple times for fashion shoots in recent years, and of course, there are other amenities: a gym, several excellent restaurants, and a few trendy and popular bars including The Writer’s and The Spare Room.
The rooms are beautiful and filled with stories. Perhaps a celebrity has stayed in your room—who knows? What we do know is that The Hollywood Roosevelt is a landmark in Hollywood and staying in this gorgeous hotel is not as expensive as you might think. Expect to pay around €200 per night.
Freehand Los Angeles
Every hotel is proud of its design and decor, but at the 3-star Freehand Los Angeles, you’ll find a budget hotel with a unique design by the renowned architects Roman & Williams, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. Sip a cocktail under high ceilings in the tiled bar that has roots dating back to 1930, while sitting on Craftsman-inspired furniture, or enjoy a good meal in the restaurant where owl mosaics cover the floor (the Owl Drug Store was once located in the building). And, as with other Freehands, there’s an outpost of the James Beard Award-nominated Broken Shaker bar. You’ll only truly believe you’re in a hostel when you see the bunk rooms—they are better designed and more comfortable than some private suites we’ve stayed in.
Staying at Santa Monica Beach
Santa Monica Beach is undoubtedly one of the most popular areas of Los Angeles. And let’s be honest: it’s for good reason! This part of the city is characterized by beautiful homes, a charming and scenic boulevard, numerous excellent restaurants, the most famous pier in the USA, and a plethora of great hotels to choose from.
This neighborhood is world-renowned for the Santa Monica Pier, the beautiful beach, and the relaxed vibe. It’s the perfect place to unwind, take a walk along the beach, and spend time with family.
Santa Monica is also popular with foodies, as there are numerous good restaurants, affordable eateries, and fine dining options. If you decide to stay here, be sure to visit Street Food Tuesday, where you’ll find a range of food trucks, stands, and stalls.
Hotels in Santa Monica Beach are slightly more expensive than those at other Los Angeles beaches. Expect room prices to be about 20-30% higher. However, you’ll get a fantastic neighborhood in return that we highly recommend!
The Best Hotels in Santa Monica Beach:
Bayside Hotel
Located just a 2-minute walk from the beach, the Bayside Hotel is also within a 15-minute walk of both Pacific Park and the Santa Monica Pier. The hotel features a sun terrace, and some rooms come with a balcony and ocean views. Each room is equipped with a TV, free Wi-Fi, and a coffee maker.
Huntley Santa Monica Beach
The Huntley Santa Monica Beach is just a 3-minute walk from Santa Monica Beach, making it a great location! The Penthouse restaurant, bar, and lounge on-site offer stunning ocean and coastline views from the rooftop. Some rooms even have ocean views and a spa bath, making this hotel a luxurious choice.
Casa Del Mar
Casa Del Mar is just a minute’s walk from the beach, 5 minutes from the 3rd Street Promenade, and a 15-minute drive from Venice Beach. This luxury hotel features two on-site restaurants, an outdoor pool, a hot tub, and evening music. Each room also includes a hydrotherapy spa bath and floor-to-ceiling windows for the best views.
Staying at Venice Beach
Venice Beach is considered by many to be the best place to stay in Los Angeles. It’s close to both the popular Santa Monica and the laid-back Hermosa Beach, and the city’s highlights, including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Downtown LA, are easily and quickly accessible by car.
Venice Beach is also known for its iconic beaches, quirky shops, and a wide selection of unique and atmospheric restaurants. Additionally, there are numerous funky and popular beach clubs and several nightclubs in Venice Beach.
The Venice Beach boardwalk is a well-known hotspot, but Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Main Street, and the Skate Plaza are also notable attractions found in Venice Beach.
The relaxed atmosphere, excellent beaches, and prime location relative to other Los Angeles neighborhoods make Venice Beach truly one of the best places to stay in Los Angeles.
And in terms of hotel options, there’s a broad range: from affordable budget hotels to more exclusive and pricey beach hotels from renowned luxury chains. Venice offers the perfect mix of everything you’re looking for!
The Best Hotels in Venice Beach:
The Kinney – Venice Beach
The well-reviewed The Kinney Hotel is less than a ten-minute walk from Venice Beach and offers a wide range of amenities. Relax by the fire in the evening, enjoy a craft beer, take a dip in the pool, or just sleep well. If you’re looking for a good and affordable hotel in Venice Beach, The Kinney is your best choice.
Inn at Venice Beach
Located less than a 5-minute walk from the beach, the well-reviewed 3-star Inn at Venice Beach is a great place to stay with spacious and comfortable rooms featuring good beds, free Wi-Fi, a nice bathroom, and more. The breakfast is substantial and available at a low cost.
Hotel Erwin
The luxurious and beautiful Hotel Erwin is directly on the Venice Beach boardwalk. This guarantees a stunning view from your room if you choose an ocean view. The rooms are luxurious, comfortable, and spacious. There’s a good restaurant, and a rooftop lounge with a cocktail bar. If you want to explore, bicycles are available, and everything is well-organized, as expected from a 4-star hotel. A recommendation in Venice Beach.
