The 8 Best Los Angeles Hotels of 2018

For sophisticated accommodations with all the playful charm of a boutique hotel but the space and amenities of a larger resort, the 178-room Dream Hollywood is an excellent option. First, there’s the fantastic location on Selma Avenue overlooking the Hollywood sign, then add in an award-winning design firm, a stunning rooftop pool, lounge and bar, plus a dazzling 300-seat Asian fusion restaurant and you have a recipe for an unforgettable stay. Rooms have a minimum of 300 square feet of space, oversized windows with views of the skyline, rainfall showers, iPads, premium bath products and luxurious black walnut finishes. There’s also a 24-hour room service, a state-of-the-art gym, as well as a Lincoln Continental car service to whisk you around town.

Located a few steps from the Venice Beach Boardwalk, Hotel Erwin couldn’t be closer to the ocean if it tried. Explore the best of the beachfront on foot or with one of the hotel’s free bikes. Choose a sea-view room or suite for killer Pacific views, and enjoy amenities ranging from free WiFi and an HD TV to a private balcony and honor bar. Barlo Kitchen & Cocktails serves inventive farm-to-table cuisine - but it’s the rooftop bar that makes this hotel unique. It’s the only one in Venice Beach, and the sunset views are legendary. Live DJs keep the party going late into the night. 

Opposite the Chinese Theatre, The Hollywood Roosevelt has played host to L.A.’s coolest crowd since 1927. Marilyn Monroe once stayed here, and today it remains a well-known celebrity hangout. Stay in a poolside cabana or a luxurious tower suite, and dine on gourmet burgers at 25 Degrees restaurant. During the day, the party centers around the famous David Hockney pool and 60s-style Tropicana Pool Café.

At night, speakeasy bar The Spare Room offers vintage bowling and cocktails, while Library Bar takes the art of mixology to the next level. For the adventurous, vaudeville theater Beacher’s Madhouse pushes the boundaries with risqué burlesque performances. Above all, The Hollywood Roosevelt is known for its ultra-elite nightclub, Teddy’s. The door policy is notoriously strict and entry is never guaranteed. 

The modest rates at Jerry’s Motel are particularly impressive when one considers its sought-after location on the edge of Downtown L.A. From here, you can drive to the STAPLES Center or The Broad contemporary art museum in under five minutes. White-themed guest rooms are simple, with a choice of a Queen bed or two Twin. Daily housekeeping ensures that your living space stays clean, while air-conditioning keeps the heat of the L.A. summer at bay.

Although Jerry’s Motel maintains its affordable prices by keeping its amenities basic, the rooms include everything you need for a comfortable stay. Each one has a private bathroom, a mini-fridge, a kettle and satellite TV with over 100 channels. There’s no restaurant on-site, but complimentary muffins, coffee and tea are provided every morning. To help you keep the costs down, WiFi and parking are also included in the room rate. 

Located next door to the Academy of Magical Arts, the three-star Magic Castle Hotel is a seven-minute drive from favorite family theme park Universal Studios. One and two-bedroom suites sleep up to six family members, and include a full kitchen, a dining area and a private bathroom. Free WiFi and multiple TVs are a blessing for parents in need of easy entertainment options. Your room rate also includes laundry services and a generous continental breakfast.

Magic Castle Hotel is made special by its personalized service. Complimentary snacks are available throughout the day, from soft drinks to soft-serve ice cream. When the sun is shining, white-gloved waiters serve complimentary popsicles to those enjoying the open-air swimming pool. Hotel guests are automatically given access to the private Magic Castle Club, which hosts child-friendly magic shows on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Culver City was the epicenter of movie production during the 1920s, and today, its silver screen legacy lives on at local landmark The Culver. Opened in 1924, the hotel hosted stars like Clark Gable and Greta Garbo. The rooms and suites evoke vintage romance with crystal chandeliers and vintage furnishings, in addition to magnificent Downtown views. Enjoy free WiFi, premium TV channels and a well-stocked honor bar. 

Complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning in the grand Dining Room, while meals can be enjoyed in the French Garden or by the lobby’s crackling fireplace. In the afternoon, toast your loved one with fresh scones and fine champagne. The hotel is at its most romantic in the evening, however. Curl up on a vintage armchair to listen to live jazz in the Grand Lobby or savor prohibition-era cocktails in the Velvet Lounge. 

Pink-hued Hotel Bel-Air occupies a 12-acre sanctuary in the heart of one of L.A.’s most affluent areas. Lush tropical gardens and a tranquil swan lake add to the impression of having found paradise. Even the most basic rooms include Egyptian cotton linens, a marble spa bath and an iPad for ordering room service. The Presidential Suite amazes with a private courtyard and infinity pool.

Spend lazy afternoons enjoying frozen grape skewers around the palm-lined pool. The hotel spa has seven treatment rooms, a 24-hour fitness studio and a dedicated hair and beauty salon. Enjoy fine dining at the top-rated restaurant by Wolfgang Puck; followed by cocktails in the wood-paneled bar. Hotel Bel-Air provides complimentary local transport and a pavilion for boutique shopping. 

Part of the vast L.A. LIVE complex in the heart of Downtown, the JW Marriott is a 15-minute walk from the Los Angeles Convention Center. It offers 14 meeting and conference rooms, the largest of which has space for up to 2,800 delegates. Recharge between sessions with a spa massage or with a dip in the rooftop pool. There are no fewer than six restaurants and bars on-site, while the fitness center makes it easy to stay in shape. No matter which room you choose, you’ll benefit from high-speed WiFi and a spacious work desk. After a busy day, premium movie channels and a luxury mattress help you unwind. 

Petit Ermitage is an easy walk from the legendary nightclubs and music venues of West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. It’s the perfect choice for fashionable couples and design-conscious singles, with 80 suites decorated in lavish bohemian style. Each one includes a working fireplace and beautiful original artwork from the owner’s personal collection. Egyptian cotton linens, in-suite spa services and a private balcony all help to define this L.A. sanctuary.

Petit Ermitage’s true treasure, however, is the private rooftop. Here, the restaurant serves Italian, Japanese and Egyptian-inspired cuisine. There’s a heated saltwater pool with breathtaking views of the Hollywood Hills; and a garden designed as a haven for butterflies and hummingbirds. In the evening, the Butterfly Bar uses local ingredients to create its signature cocktails. Weekly events include morning yoga classes and open-air film screenings around the fire-pit.