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Astrid Taran, Forbes Staff
Keri Bridgwater, Contributor
Forbes Vetted
A patchwork of cities within a city, Los Angeles covers more than 472 square miles and spans several household-name neighborhoods, from glamorous Beverly Hills to beachfront Santa Monica. From travelers touching down for a glimpse of Hollywood to those seeking a beach escape in Venice or an evening gallery hopping in downtown Los Angeles (known to locals as DTLA), the city’s diverse spread of distinct enclaves truly provides a little something for everyone. The best hotels in Los Angeles understand and help define these neighborhoods while providing quintessential laid-back California living.
In the City of Angels, there’s a hotel for every taste, but it’s best to choose your desired side of town first to spend less time traversing the freeways. If you’re staying downtown, our top pick is Conrad Los Angeles, which is close to cultural hotspots like The Broad, the Philharmonic and the Mark Taper Forum. For romance, the prime beachfront views at Santa Monica’s Shutters On The Beach or Casa del Mar are sure to set the mood. And those looking to treat themselves on vacation should head to Bel Air, where one of our favorite high-end stays, Hotel Bel-Air, masters quiet luxury. Below, our selections for the best hotels in Los Angeles of 2024.
Editor’s Picks:
- Best Hotel In Los Angeles Overall: Conrad Los Angeles
- Best High-End Hotel In Los Angeles: Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection
- Best Value Hotel In Los Angeles: The Hoxton, Downtown LA
- Best Boutique Hotel In Los Angeles: The Georgian
- Best Hotel For Families In Los Angeles: The Garland
- Best Hotel For Romance In Los Angeles: Shutters On The Beach
- Best Hotel For Foodies In Los Angeles: Downtown LA Proper Hotel
- Best Hotel For Business Travelers In Los Angeles: The London West Hollywood At Beverly Hills
- Best Beachfront Hotel In Los Angeles: Casa del Mar
- Hotel With The Best Pool In Los Angeles: The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection
Best Hotel In Los Angeles Overall: Conrad Los Angeles
Terrace at Conrad Los Angeles.
Courtesy of Conrad Los Angeles
Conrad Los Angeles
Who Will Love It: Museum hoppers; foodies; visitors with tickets to the Philharmonic or the Mark Taper Forum
All-Star Amenities: Byredo toiletries; spa featuring Augustinus Bader products; complimentary coffee and tea
What Not To Miss: A meal at José Andrés restaurant San Laurel
Location: DTLA
The 2022 opening of the Frank Gehry-designed Conrad Los Angeles was the culmination of 15 years of anticipation—and it was well worth the wait. Featuring floor-to-ceiling views of Los Angeles icons like the Hollywood sign, DTLA’s most beautiful hotel stands walking distance from the Broad Museum, the Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Hall and the Mark Taper Forum, as well as a less than 10 minute drive from Dodger Stadium and Crypto.com Arena, making it an excellent overall hotel choice for every type of trip.
In addition to the 305 guest rooms featuring luxe amenities like Byredo toiletries, the hotel is also home to a stellar spa featuring high-end products like those from beloved skincare brand Augustinus Bader. Following some relaxation time after a day of exploration, make sure to take advantage of one of the city’s best hotel culinary line-ups: five different dining experiences from world-renowned chef José Andrés. Dinner at San Laurel, where heavenly Spanish dishes are served in front of dazzling views of the cityscape, is not to be missed.
Best High-End Hotel In Los Angeles: Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection
Grand Deluxe King room at Hotel Bel Air.
Courtesy of Hotel Bel Air
Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection
Who Will Love It: High-profile types who seek to unwind unseen
All-Star Amenities: The VIP Concierge Team who can arrange anything from pet sitting to personal shopping; Fili d’Oro Egyptian cotton sheets; poolside “treats” from The Restaurant at Hotel Bel-Air
What Not To Miss: A Bel-Air Picnic beside the hotel’s iconic Swan Lake
Location: Bel Air
Built in 1946 to attract a privacy-seeking clientele that included Cary Grant, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor (who honeymooned here with her first husband), the Hotel Bel-Air and its enchanting 12-acre garden estate is a classic Los Angeles hideaway that whispers quiet luxury. Hidden by bougainvillea and connected by winding terracotta pathways, the hotel’s rose pink mission-style bungalows provide a limited number of accommodations and intimate guest experience. Redesigned by Alexandra Champalimaud in 2011, rooms are feminine yet unfussy in muted earth tones with dashes of black and gold.
Specialty suites include one named after Grace Kelly and a Presidential Suite with a private pool and Spanish courtyard. Everything at the Hotel Bel-Air relates to its leafy outdoor setting, from the iconic oval-shaped swimming pool (a former riding ring and one of the last places Marilyn Monroe was photographed) to the restaurant’s spectacular garden terrace overlooking Swan Lake. Black-and-white images by Norman Seeff, who photographed greats like Tina Turner and Ray Charles, line the walls of The Bar & Lounge, which hosts live music nightly and has a concise menu of small plates and dessert cocktails.
Best Value Hotel In Los Angeles: The Hoxton, Downtown LA
Guest room at The Hoxton, Downtown LA.
Robert Rieger
The Hoxton, Downtown LA
Who Will Love It: Those seeking stylish rooms in the middle of it all without sacrificing budget
All-Star Amenities: Complimentary breakfast bags hung on your doorknob each morning
What Not To Miss: A meal at Moonlark’s Dinette, a chic throwback to classic American diners
Location: DTLA
For those who plan to spend the majority of their time in Los Angeles hopping around the city, The Hoxton, Downtown LA makes an excellent value-driven option to lay your head. Here, travelers will find a comfortable place to stay with plenty of amenities—and no chance of hurting your wallet. Rooms are smaller in size, but still feature sweeping skyline views, book collections to peruse while sipping your morning coffee and complimentary breakfast bags stocked with yogurt, granola and a banana to fuel you for a full day of urban exploration. Smack in the middle of Downtown’s revitalized Broadway neighborhood, there’s plenty to see right outside your door, while those in town for work will have plenty of communal spaces to post up with their laptop, including a small but charming rooftop pool.
Best Boutique Hotel In Los Angeles: The Georgian
Sunset Bar at The Georgian.
Courtesy of The Georgian
The Georgian
Who Will Love It: Fans of Art Deco-inspired interiors and thoughtful touches
All-Star Amenities: Suites with handcrafted Splendido Bars; push-button Champagne and dessert deliveries; Polaroid cameras and Victrola record players with vinyl curated by Ubiquity Records
What Not To Miss: Brunch on the Sunset Terrace; dinner and live jazz in Italian steakhouse The Georgian Room
Location: Santa Monica
A local landmark since opening in 1933, The Georgian was an intimate hideaway for the Hollywood elite (Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, even Rose Kennedy) for decades, which helped earn the eight-story hotel its nickname the “First Lady.” Recently restored to its former glory by London and LA-based design firm Fettle, today, bellhops in powder blue suits greet guests as they enter an Accidentally Wes Anderson-style world of striking vignettes: the horseshoe-shaped Sunset Bar and an intimate reception nook.
Rooms feature glamorous bathrooms with blue monogrammed Georgian robes and slippers while suites offer living areas anchored by velvet loveseats. Downstairs, the Sunset Terrace is where Westsiders come to power brunch and people watch, but the iconic Italian steakhouse The Georgian Room is where you’ll find LA movers and shakers sitting down to an intimate and private dinner. With a 65 seat limit (reservations strongly recommended) and the use of cell phones prohibited, the focus here is all about the live jazz performers and classic dishes by chef David Almany.
Best Hotel For Families In Los Angeles: The Garland
Outdoor dining at The Garland.
Courtesy of The Garland
The Garland
Who Will Love It: Anyone with Universal Studios on their vacation wish lists
All-Star Amenities: Complimentary trolley to and from Universal Studios; guided urban walks to nearby classic Hollywood sights
What Not To Miss: Catching a “dive-in” movie poolside and Flower Power Hour at The Lobby Bar
Location: North Hollywood
Being less than two miles from Universal Studios Hollywood, a prime location is a huge draw for families who decide to stay at The Garland, which runs a complimentary trolley service to and from the theme park and whose concierge team can help guests book tickets from its boutique retail space The Store. The retro-boutique hotel has a variety of room types, but Family Suites feature a separate kid’s nook with bunk beds and a TV while Kids Rooms feature a queen size bed for the parents and are partitioned with a twin bunk. The Garland is big on experiences, too, with a range of family and adult-friendly activities from poolside macramé classes and “Dive-In” movies to courtyard games and feature films played in the Beverly Garland theater. Serving food all day, plus to go-items for picnics, The Front Yard has a small selection of kids’ meals on the menu including mac n’ cheese and fish tacos, a cozy fireplace and plenty of outdoor seating, but also holds a Reverse Happy Hour with late night drinks for when the littles are in bed.
Best Hotel For Romance In Los Angeles: Shutters On The Beach
Pacific Suite at Shutters on the Beach.
Lisa Romerein
Shutters On The Beach
Who Will Love It: Couples; honeymooners; multi-generational families
All-Star Amenities: Diptyque toiletries; onsite ONE Spa; cruiser bikes for rent; oceanfront views from some rooms
What Not To Miss: The copy of Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea in every room; the hotel’s art collection, featuring pieces by David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein and more
Location: Santa Monica
Since its opening in 1993, Shutters On The Beach has been Santa Monica’s answer to a New England getaway, and it’s not hard to see why. The beachfront, white shingled property—decorated in a palette of cream and seafoam blue—feels like a classic Nantucket home was teleported to California. To complete the nautical theme, each room comes with a hardback copy of Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and The Sea, which you can read while taking in the oceanfront views that several rooms offer.
Everything about this property telegraphs cozy, refined romance, from cocktails in the lobby’s Living Room, which features live jazz music on some nights, to the in-room Diptyque toiletries and whirlpool tubs. After a day relaxing in the on-site jacuzzi or lounging in one of the property’s private cabanas while listening to the ocean waves, enjoy a treatment at the ONE Spa, which offers facials, massages and more in calming surroundings of stone, wood and sand.
Best Hotel In Los Angeles For Foodies: Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel
Caldo Verde at Downtown L.A. Proper.
Courtesy of Downtown L.A. Proper.
Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel
Who Will Love It: Discerning millennials who care about good design and good food
All-Star Amenities: Aesop toiletries; gym with Peloton bikes and Tonal mirrors
What Not To Miss: A piri-piri chicken sandwich at Caldo Verde; rooftop hangs poolside and bites at Cara Cara; cocktails at Dahlia
Location: DTLA
Design-forward group Proper Hospitality brought a Spanish-Mexican-California-influenced oasis to LA’s edgiest neighborhood with the Downtown LA Proper Hotel. Located on the corner of Broadway and 11th, interior designer Kelly Wearstler revived original features of the circa-1926 California Renaissance Revival building, pairing them with global influences drawn from Portugal and North Africa across its 148 tasteful guest rooms and rooftop swimming pool. Equally as transportive as the interiors are the restaurants and bar from James Beard award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur and wine guru Caroline Styne.
There’s newcomer Dahlia, an intimate 16-seat speakeasy named after Mexico’s native flower, whose pared-down drinks menu and roving bar cart features classic cocktails made with small-batch liquors, and Portuguese-inspired Caldo Verde, where dishes marry Portuguese and California flavors—the piri-piri chicken is not to be missed. Head upstairs to lushly landscaped rooftop lounge Cara Cara and chill poolside or beside one of the fire pits while enjoying shared plates like seafood ceviche and refreshing drinks and soaking in epic skyline views.
Best Hotel For Business Travelers In Los Angeles: The London West Hollywood At Beverly Hills
Meeting space at The London, West Hollywood.
Courtesy of The London, West Hollywood
The London West Hollywood At Beverly Hills
Who Will Love It: Business travelers; Anglophiles
All-Star Amenities: Tennis court; on-site spa; 110-seat screening room; marble writing desks; complimentary international calls to London
What Not To Miss: Lounging by the rooftop pool
Location: Beverly Hills
For business travelers seeking a refined place to stay with great access to the rest of the city, The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills is a great option. The British-influenced property offers all you need for both work and play, with high-speed WiFi, laptop-compatible safes, marble writing desks, velvet sofas, private balconies and sublime service. For those who have to take overseas calls, all international calls to England from your hotel room are complimentary.
A business center offers access to printers, copy machines and more, while an on-site gym provides the perfect place to de-stress after an afternoon of meetings. When work is finally over, head upstairs to the property’s popular rooftop pool, where regulars can be spotted sipping cocktails and taking in city views. Centrally located in the heart of West Hollywood, there is no shortage of restaurants, cafés and bars nearby, while shopping at upscale Rodeo Drive is just a short drive away.
Best Beachfront Hotel In Los Angeles: Casa del Mar
Presidential Suite at Casa del Mar.
Lisa Romerein
Casa del Mar
Who Will Love It: Couples looking for romance and families who want to feel sand between their toes
All-Star Amenities: Diptyque toiletries; Italian-designed bed linens; Nespresso coffee machines; Smart TVs; ocean views
What Not To Miss: Sundowner cocktails and live music at Terrazza Lounge in the lobby
Location: Santa Monica
Steps from Silicon Beach and the pier, the historic Casa del Mar is a Santa Monica landmark. Opened as a private beach club in 1926, the grand Renaissance Revival style building became housing for the Navy in 1941 and went through several incarnations before being restored to its former glory in 1999. Equally popular among families as it is with couples, plush rooms and suites feel romantic yet residential and feature large marble bathrooms and walnut four-poster beds dressed in white Italian linens. Rooms offer ocean or coastline views—make sure to reserve one of the two-story penthouse suites or the super-deluxe presidential suite for an even more opulent stay.
The concierge team here takes service to the next level, and can easily arrange bike or surfboard rentals for those looking for an active getaway. After a day at the beach—or afternoon beside the guest-only Palm Terrace Pool—carve out some time to relax in the hot tub or get pampered at the Sea Wellness Spa, which has five Mediterranean-style treatment rooms and a cabana on the pool deck. Framed by postcard sea views, there’s live entertainment in the Terrazza Lounge every night, but alfresco bistro Patio Del Mar is the closest you’ll get to toes-in-the-sand dining.
Hotel With The Best Pool In Los Angeles: The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection
Pool at The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection.
Courtesy of The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection
The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection
Who Will Love It: Old Hollywood fans and history buffs
All-Star Amenities: Impeccable concierge service; spa, nail suite and salon; signature shop for ‘Pink Palace’ souvenirs
What Not To Miss: Borrowing a Linus banana leaf bicycle to explore the neighborhood; reserving a private poolside cabana; doing lunch in LA power dining spot The Polo Lounge
Location: Beverly Hills
A playground for royalty and movie stars since 1912, The Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunset Boulevard is one of LA’s most enduring icons. Protected by palm trees and lush gardens, the history of the “Pink Palace,” as it’s affectionately known, is laced with stories of famous former guests: Faye Dunaway learned to swim in the hotel’s iconic pool, and Leonard Bernstein came up with the concept for West Side Story in cabana three. There are 210 guest rooms, including historic suites in the main building and 23 private bungalows, which celebrities love and have posthumously helped to inspire.
Fans of the hotel’s iconic banana leaf Martinique wallpaper by CW Stockwell can pick up gifts in the signature shop. Situated near famous shopping street Rodeo Drive, the retro-style pool and its pink cabanas—where umbrellas can be adjusted and free treats are regularly provided—make it tough to leave. Add a Sunset club sandwich in the Cabana Café (a signature snack since 1940) and cocktails on the terrace at Bar Nineteen12, and you’ll start to feel like Hollywood royalty, too.
Best Hotel Near Shopping In Los Angeles: The Beverly Hilton
Executive Suite bedroom at The Beverly Hilton.
Courtesy of The Beverly Hilton
The Beverly Hilton
Who Will Love It: Old Hollywood lovers; history buffs; families; girlfriend getaways
What Not To Miss: Lounging at the hotel’s iconic pool, which Angelina Jolie famously jumped into after the 1999 Golden Globes; getting cozy in a pair of the hotel’s chic slippers
All-Star Amenities: L’Occitane toiletries; on-site salon; pet-friendly room options available for a fee
Location: Beverly Hills
Perhaps best known as the location of the annual Golden Globe Awards, as well as several installments of the Grammy Awards, The Beverly Hilton is one of the hardest working hotels in Hollywood. Numerous celebrity-filled galas, luncheons and afterparties have been hosted here, and its legacy dates back to the days of Golden Age of Hollywood, when President John F. Kennedy checked in regularly (alongside his alleged companion Marilyn Monroe).
Today, the hotel still boasts one of the most enviable addresses in Los Angeles, just a short distance from the restaurants and boutiques of Rodeo Drive and, depending on traffic, a quick drive to West Hollywood and attractions like The Getty. After a day of shopping, head back to the hotel to enjoy cocktails and Mediterranean dishes at rooftop restaurant Sant’olina, which opened in 2021. Before you leave, don’t miss a dip in the hotel’s pool, where you can lounge while enjoying poolside bites from Circa 55.
Hotel With The Best Views In Los Angeles: InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
Views at InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown.
Courtesy of InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
Who Will Love It: Families; business travelers; nightlife lovers
All-Star Amenities: Le Labo toiletries in suites; Agraria toiletries in guest rooms; soaking tubs
What Not To Miss: Taking in the views with a drink at Spire 73, the tallest open-air bar in the country; dinner at French restaurant La Boucherie
Location: DTLA
With its rolling canyons and hilltop mansions, Los Angeles boasts one of the most arresting cityscapes in the country, so wanting to find the best place to take it in while you’re in town is a smart move. With guest rooms beginning on the 31st floor, the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown—part of the 1,100-foot tall Wilshire Grand Center, the city’s tallest building—is unsurprisingly at the top of our list for views. The show begins at check in, where you’ll take the elevator up to the 70th floor, where the hotel’s lobby is located.
On the 73rd floor, open air bar Spire 73 offers views of Dodger Stadium and the Hollywood sign; a glass-walled edge makes it feel even more otherworldly. Room views are just as impressive, with suites offering soaking tubs and Le Labo toiletries to decompress from your prime spot high in the sky. In the evening, don’t miss dinner at French restaurant La Boucherie, which boasts a charcuterie cave, a cheese room and an extensive wine list all meant to be enjoyed in front of floor-to-ceiling windows.
Hotel With The Best Location In Los Angeles: Fairmont Century Plaza
Guest room at sunset at Fairmont Century Plaza.
Courtesy of Fairmont Century Plaza
Fairmont Century Plaza
Who Will Love It: Travelers in town to take meetings or with plans to explore across the city
All-Star Amenities: Hotel-within-a-hotel experience Fairmont Gold has personal assistants and 24/7 concierge service, plus an honor bar with on-demand martinis; the Fairmont Spa Century Plaza
What Not To Miss: Happy hour at French-inspired brasserie Lumière and a Dr. Oz Garcia biohacking treatment at the spa
Location: Century City
After its $2.5 billion renovation, the Fairmont Century Plaza is a star reborn in Century City, where design firm Yabu Pushelberg delivered a modern update on 1960s nostalgia while retaining many of the building’s original mid-century modern features. Sitting near Creative Artists Agency and Westfield Century City, the 16-story hotel is popular among business and leisure guests and well-placed for access to the 405 and both sides of the city. Elegant yet minimalist, the 400 spacious guest rooms and 85 suites feature neutral gray and white hues, while amenities are cutting-edge and an impressive art collection includes a 23-foot-tall mesh sculpture by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa.
Surrounded by a living green wall, floating fireplace and retractable floor-to-ceiling windows, The Bar at Century Plaza is a gorgeous light-filled space with an LA-landmark themed cocktail list and live music on weeknights, but for French-inspired brasserie fare, make reservations at brasserie Lumière. Beyond that, experiential rain showers, a hammam and a Himalayan salt room entice glow getters to the 14,000-square-foot Fairmont Spa Century Plaza while the rooftop pool takes in stunning views of the LA skyline. The exclusive 70-room hotel-within-a-hotel Fairmont Gold features elevated perks like private check-in and checkout.
Best Hotel In West Hollywood In Los Angeles: 1Hotel West Hollywood
Guest room at 1Hotel West Hollywood
Courtesy of 1Hotel West Hollywood
1Hotel West Hollywood
Who Will Love It: Travelers looking for eco-conscious luxury
All-Star Amenities: Bamford Wellness Spa; Goodthings By 1 Hotels gift shop; the guest Event Calendar with complimentary pop-ups, sound baths, mixology and fitness classes
What Not To Miss: Sunset cocktails on Harriet’s Rooftop bar; a Red Carpet Sculpt Facial at the spa
Location: West Hollywood
Despite its busy Sunset Boulevard corner location, 1 Hotel West Hollywood is a sanctuary in the heart of Los Angeles, where service is unrivaled and comfort levels are extraordinary. The property’s LEED Silver Certified design earned an Energy Star score of 95, making it among the most energy-efficient hotels in the city. There’s an app for check-out, in-room dining and reserving the Audi e-tron house car, but you’ll arrive in the plant-filled lower-level lobby—home to Juniper Lounge & Garden, the place to bookend days with morning coffee and live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
There are several terrific options for drinking and dining—all overseen by culinary director Ginger Pierce—including 1 Kitchen and guest-only The Pool Lounge, where everyone should book a daybed on the Pool Deck and do lunch at least once. Upstairs, floor-to-ceiling windows, rustic wood, native greenery and marble bathrooms bring nature into guest rooms and suites, which feature Nespresso machines, Bluetooth speakers, cotton robes and yoga mats. Choose one of the Skyline rooms or splurge on the Canyon House Suite, whose wraparound terrace is backdropped by city skyline and Hollywood Hill views.
Best Hotel In Silver Lake In Los Angeles: Silver Lake Pool & Inn
Exterior of Silver Lake Pool & Inn.
Courtesy of Palisociety
Silver Lake Pool & Inn
Who Will Love It: Young creatives; millennials; Eastside loyalists; design obsessives
All-Star Amenities: Diptyque toiletries; pool deck; 24-hour concierge; in-room Nespresso machines
What Not To Miss: Dinner at Marco Polo, serving up California-inspired Italian dishes on a pet-friendly patio
Location: Silver Lake
California may be synonymous with beaches, but not everyone wants to stay in Santa Monica or Venice. Across the city, Los Angeles’ Eastside has remained eternally hip, with cafés, independent boutiques, music venues, video stores serving as a magnet for the city’s creative class. Many would make the argument that Silver Lake is the neighborhood that started it all, and those good vibes are very much alive and well at Silver Lake Pool & Inn, a 54-room boutique that embodies the nabe’s creative spirit.
The plant-filled, print-forward property provides thoughtful, upscale amenities like luxury linens, rainfall showers, Diptyque toiletries and Nespresso machines along with a desert chic color palette (think sunflower and olive) and an elevated pool deck complete with views of the Hollywood sign. The hotel’s on-site restaurant, Marco Polo, serves leafy green salads and zesty pastas, very in line with the property’s Europe-meets-Baja atmosphere, and all dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio.
Best Hotel For A Celebrity Sighting In Los Angeles: Sunset Tower
Tower Bar at Sunset Tower.
Courtesy of Sunset Tower
Sunset Tower
Who Will Love It: Those who want to see and be seen
All-Star Amenities: Pool; in-room Nespresso machines; in-room snack baskets; fresh-baked cookies during turndown service
What Not To Miss: A drink at The Tower Bar, an A-list favorite
Location: West Hollywood
Everyone comes to Hollywood hoping to see a star, and at Sunset Tower, your wish is most likely to be granted. This Art Deco gem once stood as a West Hollywood apartment building with a long list of bold-named tenants, including Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, to name a few. After a massive 2004 renovation by New York-based hotelier Jeff Klein, the property was brought back to life, and an evening here quickly became a calling card for the town’s brightest stars.
The 81 rooms give off an Old Hollywood feel; classic Egyptian linens and warm, neutral palettes of coffee and rosewood create a calm and inviting space that is anything but over-the-top. It’s this sense of quiet luxury—as well as the property’s discerning service—that has some of the world’s biggest stars returning time and time again. Power lunches at the outdoor poolside terrace are a must, as is a drink at the famed Tower Bar, where celebrities congregate nightly. But you’ll have to commit these star sightings to memory: the hotel has a strict no photo policy.
Best Spa And Wellness Hotel In Los Angeles: The Maybourne Beverly Hills
Mineral pool at The Maybourne Beverly Hills.
Courtesy of The Maybourne Beverly Hills
The Maybourne Beverly Hills
Who Will Love It: Spa lovers; couples; girlfriend getaways
All-Star Amenities: Cowshed toiletries; Dyson hair dryers; rooftop pool
What Not To Miss: The Maybourne Sturmglow Facial, featuring products by buzzy skincare brand Dr. Barbara Sturm; dinner at Dante Beverly Hills, the first California outpost of the New York institution
Location: Beverly Hills
When in need of a spa day, a stay at The Maybourne Beverly Hills, the first American outpost from the same hotel group that manages some of London’s most luxe properties (think Claridge’s, The Berkeley and The Connaught), is just what the doctor ordered. While the hotel is opulent in itself—its rooms boast floor-to-ceiling windows, sun-filled balconies, fresh floral arrangements and modern artwork—The Spa at the Maybourne feels transformative from your first foot in the door. Perhaps it’s the Turkish steam rooms, the riad-style mineral pool, or the Balinese-inspired relaxation rooms. Or perhaps it’s the carefully curated menu of body rituals, massages and facials, including the exclusive Maybourne Sturmglow facial, which uses products from high-end skincare brand Dr. Barbara Sturm. Whatever the magic is, prepare yourself to never want to leave.
Best Hotel For Design Lovers In Los Angeles: Oceana Santa Monica, LXR Hotels And Resorts
Signature Ocean View Suite at Oceana Santa Monica, LXR Hotels And Resorts.
Lisa Romerein
Oceana Santa Monica, LXR Hotels And Resorts
Who Will Love It: Design lovers; those seeking a boutique-style hotel that feels residential
All-Star Amenities: Pool with private cabanas; gym with Peloton machines; Bottega Veneta toiletries; Loro Piana bedding; cruiser bikes for rent; in-room libraries; complimentary coffee and tea
What Not To Miss: A drink on the heated outdoor terrace
Location: Santa Monica
Checking into Oceana Santa Monica feels like checking into your most stylish friend’s beautiful beach house, and design lovers in particular are sure to be wowed by the property’s chic, sophisticated, but still very coastal décor. Splashes of turquoise and sapphire greet guests in each room, with bold patterns, modernist artwork and black-and-white photography flanking expansive in-room libraries. The pool area is a real stunner, surrounded by geometric paneling, fresh florals and ivy-colored pillows in each cabana.
But there’s more to the hotel than just its beauty. The building was once an apartment complex that famed comedian Stan Laurel called home, and today, the boutique still carries that same residential feeling. On-site Sandpiper feels more like a family dining room than a restaurant (it was recently opened to the public after initially being guests-only). The second-level outdoor lounge offers views of the ocean across the street, and sun-seeking revelers can be found relaxing on white leather porch swings throughout the property each afternoon. Who knew laid-back Santa Monica living could look this good?
Best Hotel For Nightlife In Los Angeles: The West Hollywood Edition
Lobby bar at West Hollywood Edition.
Nikolas Koenig
The West Hollywood Edition
Who Will Love It: Night owls; club kids; those who love to see and be seen
All-Star Amenities: Sunset nightclub; Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rated Edition Spa; 24-hour fitness center
What Not To Miss: A rest and recovery afternoon beside the rooftop pool; a Detox Osea Body Treatment at the spa
Location: West Hollywood
Hidden in plain sight on Sunset Boulevard, The West Hollywood Edition—the first from hotelier and Studio 54 co-founder Ian Schrager on the West Coast since he opened the Mondrian in the mid-90s—made a welcome addition to the city’s hotel scene when it landed in late 2019. Located on the border of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills within walking distance of legendary Sunset Strip music venues and nightclubs like the Viper Room, Whisky a Go Go and The Roxy, the hotel is perfectly positioned for late nights but considered one of LA’s coolest hangouts.
The West Hollywood Edition’s underground club, Sunset, is where celebrity DJs, musicians, and models (most recently Diplo, Dua Lipa, and Alessandra Ambrosio) are regularly snapped at album release shindigs and weekly nu-disco dance party “Saturdays at Sunset” by Zen Freeman. With its pared-back interiors by minimalist designer John Pawson (whitewashed larch with sporadic pops of color to wit: the chartreuse pool table in the lobby), the vibe here is ultra-modern but warm. Head to the guests-only rooftop bar and pool deck for panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills and chic ground-floor restaurant, Ardor, for inventive vegetable-forward dishes (tandoori carrots with eggplant croutons) by California native chef John Fraser.
Best Hotel In Los Angeles For Extended Stays: The Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel
Beverly Suite at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel
Courtesy of Four Seasons
The Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel
Who Will Love It: Families and those looking for a longer term stay in Los Angeles
All-Star Amenities: Les Clefs d’Or Concierge team; Forbes Five-Star spa; two-story fitness center; the “As you Wish” in-room dining program; complimentary house car (select evenings)
What Not To Miss: Drinks at TheBLVD; dinner at swank Wolfgang Puck steakhouse CUT; The Method Augustinus Bader spa treatment
Location: Beverly Hills
Since opening in 1928, Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel has been a preferred address for the British royal family, international elite and movie stars alike. Its guest rooms received a glamorous Old Hollywood meets modern makeover in 2022 courtesy of David Collins Studio, while Kara Smith of KES Studio redesigned the six specialty suites. Steps from Rodeo Drive, the grand dame is home to high-end boutiques of its own—Mikimoto, David Webb, and Jason of Beverly Hills—and the Mediterranean-style outdoor pool is styled after the one at Sofia Loren’s private villa in Italy.
Sleek, all-white steakhouse CUT by Wolfgang Puck (designed by Getty Center architect Richard Meier) is one of the hottest tables in town, but it’s the extra-mile amenities that make the Beverly Wilshire stand out. Far beyond typical perks, no request is too over the top for the Les Clefs d’Or Concierge team, led by Rick Castaneda, or Director of Experiences Serge Sturbois, who can help coordinate the smallest of touches and larger-than-life surprises from helicopter tours and VIP passes to the “Pretty Woman for a Day” package or the brand-new LA Personas experience, “The Actor,” where guests star in a bespoke short film created by Supergiant Studios.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted travel team has researched, written and published dozens of hotel guides featuring cities across the globe. The travel section is overseen by Vetted’s senior travel editor, Astrid Taran, a 7-year industry veteran who’s visited over 35 countries. The writer of each of our hotel roundups is handpicked based on their area of expertise, whether they are area locals or avid travelers who have visited the destination frequently—and all have bylines in other reputable travel publications. For this story, Taran used her knowledge of Los Angeles as a frequent visitor and stayed at many of the hotels on this list. This story is regularly checked to ensure that all prices and information are as current as possible. It was last updated in April 2024.
About Astrid Taran, Your Los Angeles Guide
I have covered travel for almost a full decade as both a writer and editor. Along with extensively writing about hotels and airlines, I have also written multiple destination guides as well as long-form features on luxury travel, adventure travel, wellness travel and more. As a lifelong New Yorker, I always feel happiest in an urban setting, and my favorite thing to do while traveling is to take in the art, culture and culinary gems of a new city. I have visited Los Angeles numerous times and stayed at multiple properties on this list. Currently, I am the senior travel editor at Forbes Vetted, where I oversee all things hotels, cruises and travel accessories. You can read more of my Forbes Vetted stories here.
About Keri Bridgwater, Your Los Angeles Guide
I immediately became enamored with Los Angeles after my first visit to the city almost twenty years ago—although back then, I stayed at a hostel in Santa Monica and had to take several buses to visit The Getty. After relocating to San Diego over a decade ago, I make frequent trips to the City of Angels and have spent countless nights and weekends there, enjoying drinks in The Hollywood Roosevelt lobby and hanging out poolside at Hotel Figueroa. Dinner at Musso & Frank’s is still on my bucket list. In addition to contributing my Los Angeles expertise to this Forbes Vetted guide, I also cover local happenings for the Los Angeles city section at InsideHook. You can find more of my work in Travel + Leisure, Marie Claire, Yoga Journal, Fodor’s, SFGATE and Modern Luxury San Diego.
