Where to Stay in Los Angeles: Best Areas + Hotels (A Local’s Guide)

Deciding Where to Stay in LA: Key Things to Keep in Mind

The biggest things to keep in mind as you’re planning your Los Angeles trip is that the city is big and the bad traffic reputation is very real! 

People often underestimate just how sprawling LA is, as well as how much there is to do throughout the city. With that in mind, it’s extremely important to consider the activities you want to do before booking your accommodations. 

If your priority is seeing the most famous attractions around the heart of Los Angeles (like Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Sign, the Sunset Strip, LACMA, the Academy Museum, and Universal Studios), you’ll want to stay in more central neighborhoods. On the flip side, if you want to spend most of your time at the beaches in Santa Monica and Malibu, you’ll want to stay as close to the coast as possible.

By choosing a hotel or vacation rental that is close to the majority of the spots in your itinerary, you can minimize your time spent in the car (and in traffic!), ultimately maximizing your time in LA.  

Where to Stay in Los Angeles

Here is a quick breakdown of the different neighborhoods to stay in Los Angeles: 

West Hollywood – my top recommendation for areas to stay in Los Angeles! Perfect for those seeking a centrally located spot with a walkable neighborhood and plenty of great eateries and bars. 

Beverly Hills – for those who’d prefer a luxury stay. Beverly Hills is also centrally located, making it an ideal home base for exploring the city. 

Santa Monica – for those who will be spending most of their time at the beach.

Universal City & Burbank – for those seeking a more budget-friendly accommodation in a centrally located area. This is also a great home base for those visiting Universal Studios. 

Los Feliz & Silver Lake – for those that want a less touristy, more local feeling neighborhood (that is still close to many of the main attractions in LA). 

Downtown Los Angeles – for those who will be spending the majority of their time in DTLA (otherwise I do not recommend it!)

Staying in West Hollywood

West Hollywood is easily one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Los Angeles. The vibrant and walkable neighborhood is home to some of the top restaurants, bars, and cafes in the city, as well as great shops. This all makes it an ideal place to start and end each day during your trip!

It’s also worth noting that West Hollywood is the center of the city’s LGBTQ+ scene, and has plenty of great nightlife. That said, don’t worry if going out isn’t your thing. The party scene is mostly limited to a section of Santa Monica Boulevard, and the surrounding neighborhood streets are much quieter. 

As mentioned above, another huge benefit of staying in WeHo is that it’s centrally located. It is sandwiched by Beverly Hills to the west and Hollywood to the east. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Academy Museum, and The Grove are all just south of WeHo. It’s also an easy drive to get to the Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Sign, and north to Universal Studios and Warner Brothers. You’ll also be able to get to Santa Monica in about 30 to 45 minutes (as long as you don’t leave during rush hour!). 

Where to Stay in West Hollywood

There are a ton of excellent hotel options in West Hollywood, with some of my top picks (all of which are within walking distance of incredible eateries and bars!) including:

• Petit Ermitage – a Moroccan-inspired 4-star hotel that is conveniently located right between the Sunset Strip and Santa Monica Boulevard. The colorful and eclectic hotel features unique suites (none of which are the same!) and a rooftop pool. 
• The Charlie – a charming, historical 4-star boutique hotel that was once owned by Charlie Chaplin. The English countryside-inspired hotel features numerous suites, all of which have in-unit laundry.  
• The London West Hollywood – a luxurious 5-star hotel located right off Sunset Boulevard that offers upscale suites and an expansive rooftop pool. 
• Pendry West Hollywood – an elegant and modern 5-star hotel located on Sunset Boulevard featuring both rooms and suites, as well as a gorgeous rooftop pool. 

In addition to hotels, there are also numerous West Hollywood vacation rentals that fit all budgets and preferences. You really can’t go wrong choosing an accommodation anywhere in WeHo, but I do recommend staying closer to the west side, as this is where more of the best restaurants, bars, and shops are located. 

Staying in Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills is the best area in Los Angeles to stay if you’re after a luxe vacation. The upscale neighborhood is home to many luxury hotels, and also boasts incredible shopping on and around Rodeo Drive, picturesque spots (like Greystone Mansion and Beverly Hills Garden Park), as well as plenty of great restaurants and bars. 

Much like WeHo, Beverly Hills is also centrally located, making it an ideal place for a home base during a Los Angeles vacation. Since it’s just west of WeHo, you have easy access to amazing eateries beyond Beverly Hills, as well as some of the best museums and attractions in the city. In addition to being close to LACMA, the Academy Museum, and The Grove, the Getty Center is less than 25 minutes away. You can also get to Santa Monica in about 25 to 40 minutes (again, as long as you don’t leave during rush hour!). 

Where to Stay in Beverly Hills

Here are a few of the top Beverly Hills hotels to consider for your stay: 

• The Beverly Hills Hotel – easily one of the most iconic hotels in Los Angeles, this sophisticated 5-star hotel (which is also known as “The Pink Palace”) features glamorous rooms and suites, as well as an expansive pool. 
• Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel – a luxurious 5-star hotel located right at the end of Rodeo Drive, within walking distance of the best shops and restaurants in the neighborhood. The upscale hotel features both rooms and suites, as well as a pool. 
• The Maybourne – an elegant, centrally-located 5-star hotel that is just steps from Rodeo Drive. The property features luxe rooms and suites, and a rooftop pool. 

Staying in Santa Monica 

If your priority is spending time by the water, you’ll want to stay in the coastal city of Santa Monica. Downtown Santa Monica is a bustling area with plenty of amazing restaurants and fun shops. You also have the famous Santa Monica Pier and Palisades Park, as well as the sprawling Santa Monica State Beach. 

Beyond downtown, you also have quieter sections of the city with a more local feel. I love exploring the shops and eateries along Montana Avenue (just north of Downtown Santa Monica) and in Ocean Park (just south of downtown). 

Another huge benefit of staying in Santa Monica is that you’ll be sandwiched right between Malibu to the north and Venice Beach to the south. You can easily spend time hanging out at famous Malibu beaches, exploring the beautiful Getty Villa, checking out the eclectic Venice Boardwalk, and shopping and dining on Venice’s Abbot Kinney. 

As you’re planning your trip, take a look at my comprehensive Santa Monica weekend getaway itinerary! My popular Malibu day trip guide is also a must if you plan on visiting this iconic SoCal destination during your vacation.

Keep in mind that Santa Monica is still fairly far from some iconic Los Angeles attractions, including the Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios, and Warner Brothers Studios. You can still plan to spend a day in Los Angeles exploring a few of these famous spots. That said, if you’re planning on spending multiple days exploring these attractions, I’d reconsider staying in Santa Monica – you’ll end up spending a lot of time in the car. 

Where to Stay in Santa Monica

There are a ton of hotels in Santa Monica, with options for all budgets and preferences. Here are a few of my top recommendations:

• Santa Monica Proper – a chic, impeccably designed 5-star hotel that is ideally situated on a quiet neighborhood street, yet still within walking distance of downtown and Montana Avenue. There are rooms and suites available, and the property features a rooftop pool.
• Viceroy Santa Monica – a modern 4-star hotel that is just a block from the beach and a short walk from downtown. There are rooms and suites available and a pool on-site. I’ve personally stayed here and had a great experience! 
• The Ambrose Hotel – a charming and inviting 4-star boutique hotel offering rooms and studios. The California craftsman-style hotel is set inland (it’s less than a 10-minute drive from downtown and the beach), making it a more affordable option compared to other hotels in Santa Monica. Bonus: it’s right across from Tartine Bakery, which is one of my favorite coffee shops in the area!

There are also a ton of incredible vacation rentals all throughout Santa Monica. I recommend looking for options right outside of the downtown area, near Montana Avenue, or in Ocean Park. 

Staying in Universal City & Burbank

Universal City and Burbank are home to two of LA’s biggest attractions: Universal Studios and Warner Brothers Studios. This means there are some great hotels in this area, the majority of which are more affordable compared to hotels you’ll find in WeHo and Santa Monica (and far less expensive than those in Beverly Hills!). 

You’re also just a short drive away from Hollywood and West Hollywood, and all the major highlights in those neighborhoods. This makes the Universal City and Burbank area an ideal centrally located place to stay during your visit, particularly if you’re planning on hitting the most famous attractions in Los Angeles. 

The areas surrounding Universal Studios and Warner Brothers are sleepier residential neighborhoods, so there isn’t necessarily that much more going on in the area. That said, you do have some fun main streets with amazing restaurants, cafes, and shops. This includes the area surrounding the intersection of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, as well as Riverside Drive in Toluca Lake. 

One thing to keep in mind is that many of the hotels in Universal City and Burbank aren’t within walking distance of eateries and shops (although there are some exceptions!). For the most part, if you stay in this part of LA, you’ll need to drive from your hotel to get to local restaurants. 

Where to Stay in Universal City & West Burbank

If you’re thinking of staying in one of these neighborhoods, here are the hotels I recommend checking out: 

• The Garland – a charming retro-chic 4-star hotel that is just a 10-minute drive from Universal Studios. There are rooms and suites available, and there is a pool on the property. 
• Hilton Los Angeles – Universal City – if you’re planning on visiting Universal Studios, it really doesn’t get better than this 4-star hotel. You’ll be just about a 5-minute walk from the amusement park entrance. The hotel also has a pool on-site. 
• The Tangerine – a colorful 3-star Burbank hotel with a pool on the property. It’s within walking distance of Warner Brothers Studios, as well as some excellent eateries in Toluca Lake. 

There are also plenty of great vacation rentals in and around these neighborhoods. I recommend looking for an option in Studio City, Toluca Lake, or towards the west side of Burbank (closer to Warner Brothers). 

Staying in Los Feliz & Silver Lake

If West Hollywood or Beverly Hills don’t quite feel like the right fit, you may want to consider the neighborhoods of Los Feliz and Silver Lake. This area isn’t as touristy, yet is still centrally located. This makes these great neighborhoods to stay in if you want more of a local feel. 

Los Feliz borders Griffith Park (where Griffith Observatory is located), while Silver Lake is located just south of Los Feliz. Both of these neighborhoods are known for trendy restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops, with Silver Lake having a touch more of a hipster edge to it. 

In Los Feliz, the heart of the dining and shopping scene is right on Hillhurst Avenue, between Los Feliz Boulevard and Prospect Avenue. In Silver Lake, many of the most popular eateries and shops are on or just off of Sunset Boulevard. 

Beyond the great stores and restaurants, one local highlight right near these neighborhoods is Barnsdall Arts Park. This is where the famous Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Hollyhock House is located. I highly recommend a visit while you’re in the area! 

One thing to keep in mind is that these neighborhoods are far from the beach. It will most likely take at least 45 minutes (but often well over an hour!) to get to Santa Monica. 

Where to Stay in Los Feliz & Silver Lake

Silver Lake and Los Feliz don’t cater to travelers quite like other neighborhoods on this list, so you won’t find as many hotels. That said, there are a couple gems, including: 

• Hotel Covell – a chic, beautifully designed boutique hotel offering rooms and suites (each of which has its own unique design). It’s a short walk from the great restaurants and bars on Hillhurst Avenue. 
• Silver Lake Pool & Inn – a trendy 4-star hotel with gorgeous rooms and suites and an elevated pool deck. It’s just steps away from the top eateries on Sunset Boulevard. 

You can also book a vacation rental in Silver Lake or Los Feliz. In Los Feliz, I recommend staying within walking distance of Hillhurst Avenue, either just north or south of Los Feliz Boulevard. For Silver Lake, keep in mind that the neighborhood is hilly. If you want to walk to restaurants and bars, it’s best to stay closer to Sunset Boulevard. 

A coffee shop in Silver Lake | The Hollyhock House | An iconic theater in Los Feliz

Staying in Downtown Los Angeles 

For most travellers, I don’t recommend staying in Downtown Los Angeles. To be clear, there are some great attractions in the city, including Grand Central Market, the Broad Museum, The Last Bookstore, and Angels Flight Railway, as well as some amazing restaurants. That said, visitors don’t need to be spending more than a day in DTLA (if they plan on spending any time downtown at all!). For that reason, it isn’t an ideal base if you’re planning on mostly exploring beyond the downtown area. 

With that all in mind, if your itinerary has you spending most of your visit downtown, it’s definitely worth staying in the city for convenience. 

Where to Stay in Downtown Los Angeles

Here are a few hotels worth considering for your Downtown LA stay: 

• Los Angeles Athletic Club – a luxe 4-star hotel with a rich history in the heart of DTLA. The hotel offers rooms and suites, and there is a pool (and numerous fitness facilities) on-site. 
• Hotel Per La, Autograph Collection – a vibrant and beautifully designed 4-star hotel. There are rooms and suites, as well as a rooftop pool. 
• Conrad Los Angeles – an elegant 5-star hotel with stunning rooms and suites, as well as a rooftop pool. 

Angels Flight Railway | The Broad Museum | Walt Disney Concert Hall