The vibrant and sprawling Los Angeles captures the essence of reinvention and creativity, beyond the iconic star-studded scene. After multiple visits (and countless hours in the SoCal sun), I’ve narrowed down the best areas to stay in LA. From beachside enclaves to buzzing cultural hubs, every part of the city feels unique.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through L.A.’s most iconic neighborhoods to help you find the one that suits your travel style. I’ll share a selection of handpicked hotel recommendations, from boutique stays to luxe hideouts. This will make the expansive city feel a little more manageable as you plan out your trip.
The easiest way to get around the city is by car, so consider renting one on arrival if you want to explore. I personally prefer to stay on the Westside near the beach and drive to the other major sites. But if you don’t plan to drive, the LA Metro E-Line will take you from the heart of Santa Monica through the city to Downtown.
This guide to where to stay in Los Angeles will help you find the perfect fit, offering recommendations that cover a range of styles and price points. Read on for the best neighborhoods and hotels in Los Angeles.
Short on Time? Here’s My Top Picks for the Best Areas in Los Angeles to Stay:
The two best neighborhoods for exploring iconic L.A are the Westside and Hollywood (both have major sites).
- Westside (staying at Santa Monica Proper), for the best walkable beach location
- Hollywood / West Hollywood (staying at Palihouse West Hollywood), for the best central location
Best Luxury Hotels in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, renowned for its celebrity allure, offers a fantastic selection of luxury hotels with exceptional service, upscale amenities, and unique, refined experiences. Here are my recommendations for the best luxury hotels in the city.
- Bel Air Hotel ($$$$), for the best secluded posh oasis hotel
- Beverly Hills Hotel ($$$$), for the best iconic Hollywood luxury hotel
- Santa Monica Proper ($$$), for the best modern California-chic luxury hotel
- Sunset Tower Hotel ($$$), for the best art deco Sunset Strip luxury hotel
Best Beachside Hotels in Los Angeles
If you’re looking for a picturesque Southern California stay, these beachside hotels offer the best views of the Pacific.
- Hotel Casa del Mar ($$$), for the best beachside boutique hotel
- Beach House ($$), for the best rustic beachside stay
- Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina ($$), for the best sweeping ocean views
Things to Do
- VIP Experience at Universal Studios
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour
- Venice Beach Walking Food Tour
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour
- Griffith Observatory Insider Tour
Helpful Guides to Plan Your Trip
Visiting Los Angeles for the first time? Don’t miss my first-timer’s guide to Los Angeles!
Where to Stay in Los Angeles
My Takeaway: The Best Area to Stay in Los Angeles
L.A. is spread out, so you might feel overwhelmed when deciding where to stay or whether you can fit in seeing all the sights. I recommend the beaches for a relaxed vibe. To be in the action, go to Hollywood or West Hollywood. Both are ideal for exploring major sites.
The other thing I consider is transportation. Most people drive in the city, but the LA Metro lines are expanding. If you drive, note that most places have valet, even restaurants, which charge a fee for convenience.
My Top Pick: The Westside
My top pick for where to stay in Los Angeles is the Westside. This area includes the beach towns, Santa Monica, Venice, and Malibu. Although Malibu functions as its own city, people still consider it the Westside. You can play on the Santa Monica Pier, run on the sand in Malibu Beach, stroll the Venice Canals, and visit the Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade farmers market — one of the best in the city (Wednesday mornings).
This is where I recommend staying for those wanting to be closer to nature. You can walk the beach in the morning and hike the nearby Santa Monica Mountains in the afternoon. Plus, you’ll have easy access to other neighborhoods like Silver Lake.
Where to Stay on the Westside
- Hotel Casa del Mar ($$$), for the best beachside boutique hotel
- Santa Monica Proper ($$$), for the best modern California-chic luxury hotel
- Hotel Erwin ($$), for the best hip Venice Beach hotel
- Venice V Hotel ($$), for the best beachfront boardwalk stay
For Being in the Mix: Hollywood / West Hollywood
Staying in Hollywood and West Hollywood puts you in the center of it all. This lively area blends old-school glamour with trendsetting energy. Hollywood is home to famous landmarks like the Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre.
People know West Hollywood, or WeHo, for its lively nightlife, music venues, and trendy shops — all within walking distance of one another. You can snap a photo with the Hollywood Sign, catch a show at the Hollywood Bowl, and hop along the Sunset Strip.
Where to Stay in Hollywood / West Hollywood
- Petit Ermitage ($$$), for the best luxury retreat hotel
- Sunset Tower Hotel ($$$), for the best art deco Sunset Strip luxury hotel
- Palihouse West Hollywood ($$), for the best boutique hotel
- Hollywood Roosevelt ($$), for the best Old Hollywood charm hotel
For a Luxury Stay: Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is an iconic neighborhood known for its palm-lined streets, upscale hotels, and designer shopping. Beverly Hills is its own city, but it is in the heart of LA and feels central to everything.
You can shop on Rodeo Drive and eat at popular restaurants. You can walk through the beautiful gardens of Beverly Gardens Park and visit the iconic Greystone Mansion and Gardens.
Where to Stay in Beverly Hills
- Beverly Hills Hotel ($$$$), for the best iconic Hollywood luxury hotel
- The Peninsula Beverly Hills ($$$$), for the best elegant luxury hotel
- Bel Air Hotel ($$$$), for the best secluded posh oasis hotel
- Maybourne Beverly Hills ($$$$), for the best glamorous luxury hotel
For a Creative Stay: Central LA
For a creative stay in Los Angeles, book a hotel in Central LA. Staying in this area puts you near hiking trails in Griffith Park. Staying in this area means you are a short drive from Universal Studios. It is both a theme park and a working movie studio. These areas blend historic charm with an indie edge.
Evening picnics at the Barnsdall Art Park is a local’s favorite. The leafy streets have vintage shops and buzzy restaurants tucked into unexpected corners.
From wine bar hopping in Los Feliz to shopping unique boutiques in Silver Lake, you have a great cluster of local neighborhoods. And don’t forget to eat late-night Korean BBQ in K-town at places like Hae Jang Chon or MOOHAN.
Where to Stay in Central LA
- Cara Hotel ($$), for the best design hotel
- Hotel Covell ($$), for the best boutique hotel
- Silverlake Pool & Inn ($$), for the best Silver Lake hotel
- The Line Hotel ($$), for the best Koreatown hotel
For an Artsy Urban Stay: Downtown
Downtown LA is my pick for an urban, artsy stay that mixes historic architecture with modern flair. You can see a show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. You can walk through contemporary art galleries in the Arts District and enjoy drinks on a rooftop with skyline views. The one downside is that it can get a bit touch-and-go in some areas at nighttime.
Where to Stay Downtown
- Conrad Los Angeles ($$$), for the best Frank Gehry-designed luxury hotel
- Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles ($$), for the best artsy urban hotel
- The Hoxton ($$), for the best trendy Downtown hotel
- Hotel Figueroa ($$), for the best historic Spanish revival hotel
For a Relaxing Beach Getaway: South Bay
My top choice for a relaxing beach getaway in Los Angeles County is the South Bay. This area includes the beach towns of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach. This area has a relaxed, surf-town feel with a scenic bike path along the sand’s edge and golden beaches. I love strolling The Strand in Manhattan Beach and grabbing fish tacos on the pier in Redondo.
Where to Stay in the South Bay
- Inn at Play del Rey ($$), for the best cozy beachside hotel
- Shade Manhattan Beach ($$), for the best modern oceanfront hotel
- Beach House ($$), for the best rustic beachside hotel
- Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina ($$), for the best marina views hotel
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
