Los Angeles Hotel Tips by Erin74 Top 5 Page for this destination

The Standard Downtown La: The Standard Downtown: Hip and Modern The Standard Downtown La Review

The Standard Downtown is the newest version of the very popular hotel on Sunset Blvd., The Standard. I normally would not recommend that visitors to L.A. stay downtown, just because it's a bit far from the major sights. However, this hotel is so chic and fun (not to mention fairly affordable) that I must give it some respect. If you're going to stay downtown, stay at The Standard Downtown.

Like its sister hotel on Sunset Bl., The Standard Downtown is very modern & minimalist, very hip, and a gathering place for L.A. twenty-somethings. The rooms are decently sized and feature low, platform beds, white walls and straight, simple lines throughout. You'll also find CD players, trendy aromatherapy toiletries and large mini-bars. The bathrooms are large and decorated with marble. In the larger rooms, the bathrooms include a sculpture of a giant foot. It's definitely unique.

Be sure to go up to the Rooftop Bar, one of the major reasons this hotel is such a success. The exposed rooftop offers amazing views of the downtown skyline and a wonderful pool. At night, it's frequented by beautiful people who sip martinis and lounge near the outdoor fireplace. The Rooftop Bar also present movie nights from time to time, where films are projected onto a neighboring building and can be watched from the rooftop.

Address: 550 S. Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Comparison: about average

Directions: Located at the corner of S. Flower St and W. 6th St.

Phone: 213-892-8080

Price: US$180 and up

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.standardhotel.com/

Park Hyatt Los Angeles at Century City: The Park Hyatt (Century City) InterContinental Century City Los Angeles Review

Century City is a very central and upscale area of Los Angeles in which to stay while you're visiting the city. The Park Hyatt is one of the best hotels in the area and it features nop-notch service and close promiximity to shopping and dining.

The hotel is what you'd expect from a Hyatt: clean, spacious and modern. The lobby is huge (and usually crowded with large groups of incoming guests or people attending conventions/meetings in the Hyatt's large meeting rooms). There's a lobby bar where you can grab a drink and several in-house restaurants. You can dine at the elegant Park Grill Los Angeles (which also has a private dining space inside) or at the outdoor Garden Terrace. The rooms are a good size and feature balconies and high-speed Internet access.

Unique Qualities: The Park Hyatt is located very near (within walking distance) the Century City Shopping Mall, which has tons of shops and restaurants. There's also a large movie theatre in this mall. If you're in town on business, the hotel is directly next to Fox Studios and the MGM building.

Address: 2151 Avenue Of The Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: 310-277-1234

Price: US$180 and up

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://parklosangeles.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

Renaissance Hollywood Hotel: Renaissance Hollywood Hotel

The Renaissance Hollywood Hotel was completely rebuilt several years ago (during the same time that the massive Hollywood & Highland complex was erected nearby). It's a vast improvement upon the run-down Holiday Inn that used to stand in this place, but it is still a rather generic hotel with no truly special or unique features. Still, it's a totally acceptable place to stay. It's new, comfortable and reasonably affordable. It also has excellent proximity to the sights on Hollywood Blvd. (Mann's Chinese Theatre, The Walk of Fame, El Capitan and The Egyptian Theatre, etc...) and to the Hollywood Bowl.

The lobby has a modern air and includes a cozy little bar/lounge area. On the second floor, Twist serves rather expensive California-Asian fusion cuisine. The rooms are fairly standard: bed, desk, armoir with television. It is quiet and comfortable inside. The bathrooms are a really nice size and quite clean and contemporary. Be sure to ask for a room on a higher floor for a good view of the city. The lower rooms tend to look out on air conditioning units and such. Also, you don't want to stay here any time at the end of February, when Oscar preparation consumes the neighborhood and your access to the hotel and surrounding areas will be highly restricted and you'll have to deal with massive amounts of security.

Overall, this is a nice, new hotel with decent rates Are there more interesting places to stay in the area? Definitely---the nearby Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, for one. But The Hollywood Renaissance Hotel is just fine and one of the newer hotels in Hollywood/ West Hollywood.

Address: 1755 N Highland Ave; Los Angeles, CA

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Just north of the intersection of Hollywood and Highland.

Phone: (323) 856-1200

Price: US$180 and up

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.renaissancehollywood.com

The Avalon Hotel: The retro-chic Avalon Hotel

The Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills is an excellent choice for accomodation while you're in Los Angeles. This chic little hotel is very trendy and popular with locals. The Avalon is on the small side, having just 86 rooms and suites. The hotel surrounds a lovely patio area with a large pool and outdoor dining space (the restaurant is called "Blue on Blue"). This hotel is in an excellent location, close to all the sights in Beverly Hills, Hollywood and Santa Monica. It's very central and suprisingly affordable for its location and amenities. Check the website for current rates and specials.

The rooms and common spaces have a very modern feel, with lots of glass and clean lines. Extravagant touches include Frette linens on the beds (nice!!) and Philosophy brand toiletries in the bathrooms.

"Blue on Blue" was named one of Food & Wine's 50 Best Hotel Restaurants. It serves California cuisine. I had one of the best salmon dishes of my life here, actually. The food is just fantastic! , The adjoining lounge is very popular among the 20 and 30-something crowd in L.A. It is filled with cushioned lounge chairs, tables and poolside cabanas. A great scene!

If you're sensitive to noise, request a room that does *not* face the pool. This area can get rather loud at night when the lounge is crowded.

Address: 9400 West Olympic Boulevard; Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Comparison: about average

Directions: Near the corner of Olympic Blvd. and Beverly Drive.

Phone: 800-535-4715

Price: US$180 and up

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.avalonbeverlyhills.com/

Shutters on the Beach: Luxurious Seaside Hotel

Shutters on the Beach will set you back some serious cash. But if you want to be pampered and indulged and be right on the beach... this is the place for you! If you're coming to L.A. for a honeymoon or romantic getaway, you should definitely consider Shutters. This is a very popular place for local couples to get married. The rooms are large and have jacuzzi tubs, desks and armoirs. Be sure to ask for a room with an ocean view. The lobby is also wonderful and features a big fireplace and comfortable sofas to lounge on. It's a very relaxing and special place.

Unique Qualities: Ocean views, outstanding restaurant, extremely gracious staff.

Address: 1 Pico Blvd; Santa Monica, CA 90405

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: In Santa Monica, just south of the 10 freeway, right on the beach.

Phone: (310) 458-0030

Price: US$180 and up

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.shuttersonthebeach.com/

Roosevelt Hotel: Historical hotel in a great Hollywood location Roosevelt Hotel Hollywood Review

The Roosevelt Hotel (also known as The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel) is a L.A. landmark. It's been in Hollywood for more than 75 years and has been a gathering place for many celebrities along the way. The staff will gladly tell you stories about Marilyn Monroe's stay and point out the mirror where you just might spot her ghost. So storied is the Roosevelt that it actually houses a film museum (on the level just above the reception area). The first Academy Awards were held in the ballroom here. History aside, this is a great hotel in a fantastic location, right across from Mann's Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Blvd.

Unique Qualities: The hotel did a renovation several years ago and it's looking better than ever. Some of the rooms are on the small side, but they're all nice. The pool area is in great shape and there is a wonderful restaurant on the ground floor (Cinegrill). The Roosevelt is very convenient for L.A. visitors. It's right across the street from Mann's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood & Highland complex. The pricing is also very competitive and you'll get a lot for your money here.

Address: 7000 Hollywood Blvd.; Hollywood, CA 90028

Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: (323) 769-7260

Price: US$120-180

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.hollywoodroosevelt.com/

Maison 140: Trendy and designer-perfect boutique hotel

This gorgeous little hotel is a great deal in an amazing location. Smack in the middle of Beverly Hills (and right next to powerful agency CAA), Maison 140 has sumptuous decor (think red paint, Asian accents, baroque wallpaper...) and its tiny bar is quite a watering hole at night. This is a wonderful place to stay!

Address: 140 S. Lasky Dr.

Comparison: about average

Directions: In Beverly Hills.

Phone: (310) 281-4000

Price: US$120-180

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.maison140beverlyhills.com/