Where you stay in Los Angeles defines your entire trip. Choose Santa Monica and you will wake up to ocean breezes and a walkable beach town. Pick Hollywood and you will be steps from the Walk of Fame but miles from the LA most locals would recommend. This guide breaks down the best places to stay in Los Angeles by neighbourhood, budget, and the kind of LA experience you actually want.
Where to Stay in Los Angeles
Choosing where to stay in LA is the single most important decision of your trip. The city is vast – the wrong neighborhood can mean hours in traffic. Here are the best hotels by area and budget tier.
🏖️ Santa Monica
Perfect for: First-timers, families, beach lovers. Walkable, safe, iconic.
- ⭐ Luxury: Shutters on the Beach (Cape Cod-style beachfront), Casa del Mar (Mediterranean elegance), Fairmont Miramar (historic bungalows + modern tower)
- 🔹 Mid-Range: Shore Hotel (eco-friendly, ocean views), The Pierside (newly renovated, steps from pier), Hotel Casa del Mar (sister property, slightly less)
- 💲 Budget: HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel (great location near beach), Ocean Park Hotel (basic, clean, 2 blocks from ocean), The Seaview Hotel (simple rooms, great location)
⭐ Hollywood
Perfect for: Movie buffs, nightlife seekers, first-time tourists wanting the classic experience.
- ⭐ Luxury: The Hollywood Roosevelt (Old Hollywood glamour, poolside scene), Dream Hollywood (rooftop pool, modern), Thompson Hollywood (Vinyl District, rooftop bar)
- 🔹 Mid-Range: Loews Hollywood Hotel (connected to Hollywood & Highland), Mama Shelter (rooftop bar, playful design), The Dixie Hollywood (good value, walkable)
- 💲 Budget: Banana Bungalow Hollywood (hostel with tours), Hollywood Guest Inn (basic, great location), USA Hostels Hollywood (clean, social, free breakfast)
🏙️ Downtown LA (DTLA)
Perfect for: Foodies, arts lovers, urban explorers, convention attendees.
- ⭐ Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton (LA Live, sky lobby), InterContinental (tallest building west of Mississippi), JW Marriott (connected to LA Live)
- 🔹 Mid-Range: The Hoxton (Arts District, rooftop pool), Ace Hotel (United Artists Theater, hip crowd), Freehand LA (design-forward, shared and private rooms)
- 💲 Budget: The Wayfarer Downtown LA (hostel + hotel, rooftop), Stay on Main (historic Cecil Hotel building, basic), Podshare DTLA (co-living pods, very budget)
💎 Beverly Hills
Perfect for: Luxury shoppers, celebrities (or celebrity-spotters), refined travelers.
- ⭐ Luxury: The Beverly Hills Hotel (the Pink Palace, legendary), The Peninsula Beverly Hills (impeccable service, rooftop pool), Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills (modern luxury, rooftop dining)
- 🔹 Mid-Range: The Maybourne Beverly Hills (elegant, slightly less than top tier), SIXTY Beverly Hills (rooftop pool, modern), Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills (mid-century modern, pool scene)
- 💲 Budget: There’s no true “budget” in Beverly Hills. Best value: Crescent Hotel (boutique, more affordable), or stay in nearby West Hollywood for better deals.
🌈 West Hollywood (WeHo)
Perfect for: LGBTQ+ travelers, nightlife, design lovers, central location.
- ⭐ Luxury: The Edition West Hollywood (Sunset Strip icon, rooftop), Chateau Marmont (legendary, celebrity hideaway), 1 Hotel West Hollywood (eco-luxury, canyon views)
- 🔹 Mid-Range: The Charlie Hotel (charming former Charlie Chaplin bungalows), Palihouse West Hollywood (residential-style, courtyard), Le Parc Suite Hotel (spacious suites, rooftop pool)
- 💲 Budget: Bananas Bungalow (hostel, social), Park Plaza Lodge (retro motel, good location), The Orlando (boutique, more affordable)
