Hotels in Los Angeles
In L.A., hotels are more than temporary shelters for out-of-towners or traveling businesspeople. Los Angeles hotels hold old Hollywood history and serve as the playground for today’s glitterati. While this is especially true for the high-end luxury hotels of Los Angeles, it’s possible to get great atmosphere and stellar service at every budget.
Budget Beds: There’s no need to give up ambiance for a reasonably priced stay in Los Angeles. A fun option is the Magic Castle Hotel, which is attached to the famous Magic Castle club and restaurant that serves as a showcase of the area’s most talented magicians. One of the biggest bonuses of staying at the hotel is the guaranteed admission to the club, as locals can tell you that it can be difficult getting an invitation in otherwise. The hotel rates are mid-range, with a junior suite going for under $200 a night and plenty of impressive amenities. The hotel’s pool is open 24 hours a day — perfect during the sweltering summer months in L.A., and the front desk even offers a hearty supply of snacks free for guests.
For a more exotic vibe, try the Figueroa Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, a Moroccan wonderland in the heart of L.A.’s events and business districts. Just steps away from Staples Center, the hotel provides a distinct change of pace, with sultry lighting and comfy couches scattered throughout to lounge upon. Locals often frequent the hotel’s small bar, sipping affordable drinks by the small pool area.
Mid-Priced Manors: For just a bit more per night, there is an even wider range of hotels to choose from in some of the most scenic parts of the Los Angeles area. The Georgian Hotel, an art deco beauty in Santa Monica, is just steps from the ocean and some of the top tourist destinations in the city. The gorgeous building and many of the structures, including the famously creaky old elevator, are original, but the rooms and accommodations are modern and comfortable. The hotel is just steps away from the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica’s shopping area, and provides great views of the beach. Local and visitors alike love to grab a drink or meal on the hotel’s veranda while people-watching.
For those looking to be away from the ocean and in the middle of the action, the Sunset Tower Hotel is a historical landmark that’s still making its mark on the Hollywood scene. Once the playground of old-school movie stars, the hotel had a long downtime for several years and went through many reincarnations before settling as the Sunset Tower. The rooms provide plush goodies including Kiehl’s bath products and iPod alarm clocks. The pool area is great for kicking back, with plush lounge chairs and canopies.
Luxury Lairs: For those with impressive expense accounts or just in the mood to splurge, Los Angeles has no shortage of high-end delights. Perhaps one of the most famous of L.A.’s many luxury hotels is the Chateau Marmont, a magical getaway tucked in the Hollywood hills. While many visit the Chateau just for drinks at the bar in hopes of spotting a big-time celebrity, those who actually book rooms are in for a treat. Unlike many high-end hotels that place all of the emphasis on modern furnishings, the Chateau embraces its old-school charm, with poolside bungalows that resemble beautiful California homes from the 1960s. The place is so homey, in fact, that many of its most famous guests became residents, and the hallways and pool are laden with scandalous stories of the rich and beautiful misbehaving.
If quirky modern is more your thing, try the Standard in dowtown Los Angeles. More fun than its Hollywood sibling due mostly to its amazing rooftop bar, which boasts some of the best views of L.A. the décor is loud and in your face, with primary colors splashed about and mod furnishings scattered throughout.