Best places to stay in Los Angeles
The city of Los Angeles (LA) is an intoxicating mix of glitzy showbiz, never-ending sun and sand, rich art and architecture, and a vibrant nightlife. This is a large city made up of many unique neighbourhoods, and it may be somewhat challenging to decide where to stay. Here are a few areas you may want to consider.
Hollywood
A dramatically revitalized neighbourhood, present day Hollywood is home to landmarks such as TCL Chinese Theatre and Hollywood Walk of Fame, as well as some of the hottest nightclubs and restaurants of LA. On Hollywood Boulevard, stay at the well-known Hollywood Bed and Breakfast, a quirky B&B set in a colourful 1912-dated house that is just steps away from all the attractions in the area. Another popular choice is the Magic Castle Hotel, just a 5-minute walk from Hollywood Boulevard. Here you can stay in modern, comfortable rooms and have 24-hour free access to soda, candy and cookies.
West LA
West LA is a hip and expensive neighbourhood that truly embodies the style and glamour of Los Angeles. Check out the luxurious Hotel Bel-Air, set on 12 acres of beautiful, landscaped gardens. Be treated like royalty when you stay in the chic mid-century inspired rooms of this hotel. Right across from the Original Farmers’ Market, consider the boutique-style accommodation at Farmer’s Daughter Hotel. The rooms are styled in country-chic, and furnished with denim duvets and gingham curtains.
Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu
The beach communities are interesting locations to consider when visiting LA. Santa Monica is the typical compact and relaxed beachside town with white sandy beaches, plenty of fine dining restaurants and easy access to the rest of the city. Venice Beach is the iconic birthplace of skate-culture where you’ll also experience a heady mix of buskers, vintage souvenir stalls and colourful graffiti walls. Malibu’s beautiful beaches and gorgeous sunsets have been immortalized in several Hollywood movies. In Santa Monica, stay at the Channel Road Inn, an award-winning bed and breakfast set in a restored 1910 Colonial Revival home, steps away from the beach. Enjoy Venice’s wonderfully weird world from the colourful, contemporary rooms of Hotel Erwin that overlooks the Venice Beach Boardwalk. Just a 5-minute walk from the Malibu Pier on Carbon Beach, stay at the Malibu Beach Inn, and enjoy spectacular sunsets from its posh rooms with private balconies.
Downtown Los Angeles
The historic heart of the city, Downtown LA’s biggest draw is the LA Live entertainment complex that features non-stop entertainment, and luxury hotels such as The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles, and the JW Marriott Los Angeles, amongst others. Downtown is also a hub of avant-garde art galleries, high-rise corporate towers, Mexican market stalls, and all modes of public transport. For mid-range budget accommodation, look at Jerry’s Motel, conveniently located amid all the popular attractions in this neighbourhood.
Cheap hotels in Los Angeles
Los Angeles caters to all types of travellers, and a varying range of budgets. Many of the hotel chains such as Holiday Inn Express, Howard Johnson, and Best Western Plus offer budget properties all over the city. If you’re looking for independent budget hotels, you have the Legend Hotel Hollywood, a simple motel with modern rooms, just a short walk from Hollywood Boulevard. In the same neighbourhood, you can also look at Dixie Hollywood, a simple Hollywood-themed hotel with colourful rooms and modern amenities. Near Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, enjoy the stylish rooms of The Orlando Hotel. In Santa Monica, stay at The Ambrose Hotel, or in Venice, you have Venice Breeze Suites, a modern beachfront apart-hotel.