The 8 Best Los Angeles Hotels of 2020

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.

The first West Coast outpost of the sustainability-focused 1 Hotel brand, 1 Hotel West Hollywood is set in one of Los Angeles’ hottest areas as far as hospitality goes — its neighbors include The Standard, The Mondrian, and Palihouse, to name a few. While the hotel is as design-driven and Instagram-read as any L.A. property, the decor is particularly noteworthy for its eco-friendly elements, like carpets made from plastic waste culled from the ocean.

Rooms are decorated in soothing neutrals with plenty of wood details (all sustainably sourced or reused, of course) plus touches of greenery — a calming look that extends to the public spaces. There are three restaurants and two bars here, plus a pool and a gym. One of its most impressive features? Its dog-friendly stance. Take your four-legged companion out to a garden run before returning to your room, where Fido can nosh on all-natural treats and crash on a Shinola bed.

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, Wi-Fi and parking are also included in the room rate. 

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 Wi-Fi 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. 

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 Wi-Fi 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 Wi-Fi, 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. 

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.