Looking for the best hotels in Los Angeles? We all have our moments of West Coast wanderlust—for close to a century, L.A. has been broadcast to the world as the epitome of glamour, from the Hollywood movie stars that live there, to the beaches so beautiful that countless songs have been dedicated to them.
For those who finally want to make that California dream a reality, there are several hotels—from Sunset Boulevard to Santa Monica—that are worth the trip. If you’re seeking a once-in-a-lifetime Los Angeles experience, look no further at the grand dames like the Hotel Bel-Air, while those wanting to experience the famous surf culture should look to the Santa Monica Proper or the Surfrider in Malibu. And don’t rule out West Hollywood, where you’ll never feel more like a movie star than among the billboards of Sunset Boulevard.
Below, the best hotels in Los Angeles.
The Beverly Hills Hotel (Beverly Hills)
Photo: Courtesy of The Beverly Hills Hotel
The Beverly Hills Hotel is the most famous hotel in Los Angeles. In fact, it even existed before Beverly Hills did: it was built by a wealthy widow Margaret Anderson and her son in 1912—two years before the neighborhood was officially incorporated, and just as the Golden Age of Hollywood began. Fred Astaire read the Hollywood Reporter by the pool, and Gloria Swanson rented a bungalow during her divorce. Elizabeth Taylor, meanwhile, spent six of her honeymoons there.
Today, the Beverly Hills hotel retains much of its old-school magic: their iconic banana leaf wallpaper still lines the wall and pink-striped cabanas still sit at the pool. Well-dressed patrons still sit outside at the Polo Lounge and order their famous McCarthy chopped salad. Yet their guest rooms are all very much up-to-date with the latest technology, featuring modern art and sleek interiors.
Hotel Bel Air (Bel Air)
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Bel Air