Los Angeles is a large city that does a fantastic job of impressing everyone in the USA and beyond the borders. That’s why we are here to help you decide where to stay in Los Angeles.
As one of the coolest cities in Southern California, we understand how difficult it can be to choose from Downtown, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and other neighborhoods to stay for your short or long itineraries.
If you want to narrow down the best places to stay in L.A., such as luxury shopping destinations or budget-friendly accommodations, you are at the right place. Even if you are visiting Los Angeles for the first time, this blog will help you make the most of your visit as accommodation becomes your top concern.
From the main entertainment district to the luxurious “90210”, there is a neighborhood in Los Angeles for every occasion. So here is your best guide on where to stay in Los Angeles for every type of traveler.
Cheat Sheet
Downtown LA: Perfect for first-time travelers
Downtown L.A. has great city galleries, museums, and modern skyscrapers.
Santa Monica: Best for travelers with families
Santa Monica is a walkable neighborhood with kids-safe areas, sandy beaches, and good shopping spots.
Hollywood: Ideal for entertainment enthusiasts
Hollywood attracts travelers who want to stay within the heart of the entertainment industry.
Venice: Best for travelers looking for cultural hotspots and bohemian vibes
Venice has a laid-back atmosphere with coastal activities and casual eateries.
West Hollywood: Best for lively nightlife
West Hollywood is home to the famous Sunset Strip, top-rated restaurants, and upscale boutiques.
Beverly Hills: Perfect for luxury shopaholics
Beverly Hills is best known for Rodeo Drive, the iconic palm tree-studded luxury street leading the way for high-end designer and boutique shopping.
Los Feliz: For the creative spirit of the city
Los Feliz wins at the urban feel with its leading bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and parks.
7 Neighborhoods To Stay In Los Angeles
Choosing where to stay in Los Angeles, especially if it’s your first visit, can be difficult. The city is sprawling with plush hotels, affordable accommodations, Hollywood attractions, and the most talked-about beachside areas.
So, if you are struggling to decide where to stay in L.A., we have taken the liberty of guessing your traveling preferences and matched them with these 7 neighborhoods so that nothing, not even L.A.’s traffic, can come between you and the trip of a lifetime.
Downtown LA: Perfect For First-Time Travelers
DTLA is the best place to stay in Los Angeles if you do not have a car.
It is one of those areas that you can explore mostly on foot, but you need a solid plan to explore this neighborhood, given how bustling and stocked it is with cultural destinations. Downtown LA is still bustling with tourists and locals even when the sun goes down.
If you are a first-time traveler, Downtown is the best area to stay in L.A. You are within walking distance of the major cultural and historical attractions in Los Angeles, which makes for a fun day with the whole family or even a night out with your friends.
From the Grammy Museum, Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Museum of Contemporary Art, and The Broad to upscale dining destinations like The Palm, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, and 71Above restaurant on the 71st floor of the U.S. Bank Tower.
The best hotels to stay in Downtown Los Angeles are Hotel Figueroa, The Hoxton, and Omni Los Angeles Hotel, among many others.
Santa Monica: Best For Travelers With Families
When you are traveling with family, everyone in the group wants a say in the itinerary.
Choosing where to stay in Los Angeles when half of your group wants to see museums and theaters and the other half wants to spend time on the beach can be tough! Luckily, Santa Monica has something for everyone!
Santa Monica is the most walkable district in Los Angeles. It is a picturesque neighborhood right on the beach, with sand on one side and mountains on the other. It has the best bars and shops in Los Angeles.
If you are looking for the best place to stay in Los Angeles when you visit Santa Monica, choose the Hilton Santa Monica Hotel, Fairmont Miramar, or Santa Monica Proper Hotel.
Ideal for year-round excursions, Santa Monica has excellent public transportation that will safely take you to downtown Los Angeles or LAX. Explore the Pier, Palisades Park, Santa Monica Farmers’ Market, or the state beach, or enjoy a one-day itinerary to Venice Beach.
Hollywood: Ideal For Entertainment Enthusiasts
Hollywood lies northwest of DTLA. Also known as Tinseltown, it is the perfect, glittering image of Los Angeles’s entertainment.
Hollywood is one of the best places to stay in L.A. if you are visiting for the first time. In fact, we recommend splitting your stay between downtown and Hollywood, as the latter can be a bit crowded and noisy and doesn’t suit you if you prefer quiet places to stay for the night.
However, Hollywood is close to The Dolby Theatre, the Chinese Theater, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is the best area to stay in Los Angeles if you are looking forward to great nightlife, bar hopping, and the glamor of luxury hotels.
Plus, you are in close proximity to famous landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign, Sunset Boulevard, Barnsdall Art Park and Hollyhock House, Little Armenia, and Thai Town.
If you are looking for hotels to stay in Hollywood, choose The Hollywood Roosevelt, The Prospect Hollywood, or the Dream Hollywood.
Venice: Best For Travelers Looking For Cultural Hotspots And Bohemian Vibes
Venice is an oddly stylish, eclectic beachfront neighborhood to stay in Los Angeles.
There are plenty of different accommodations in Venice, so we recommend doing some research, comparing prices, and determining your budget before you decide on where to stay in Los Angeles.
If you are a tourist who is in love with disheveled bohemian vibes, Venice is the most interesting place to stay in Los Angeles.
With palm readers, belly dancers, street performers, roller skaters, and vendors filling every nook and corner, there isn’t a shortage of outdoor activities on the sandy beach.
Venice Beach, however, can be terribly crowded and bustling. Prepare to meet clogged streets and an energetic atmosphere, especially during peak tourist seasons. But street shopping, rollerblading, bike riding, skateboarding, and graffiti art feel larger than life.
When choosing the best area to stay in Los Angeles on Venice Beach, choose a location closer to the beach.
The hotels here may be more expensive, but the amenities are worth the overspending, such as free bike rides along the beach, parking facilities, and walking distance to major attractions. Our top picks are Stay Open, Hilton Garden Inn, and Sheraton Gateway.
West Hollywood: Best For Lively Nightlife
West Hollywood, among others, is a separate city sandwiched in the middle of Los Angeles City,
West Hollywood, or WeHo, is lined with luxury brands and vintage sophistication. Its major attraction is the Sunset Strip, which is filled with boutiques, iconic music venues, and high-end shopping areas.
If you cannot decide where to stay in L.A. if you want to explore the area on foot, West Hollywood is your answer. It fits your typical image of Hollywood glamor, with occasional celebrity sightings, hilltop mansions, and the glitzy nightlife on the Sunset Strip.
WeHo staples include The Comedy Store, which stays fresh and funny every night; The Troubadour, where Elton John made his debut in 1970; and the star-studded Sunset Boulevard, where it is impossible to ignore the huge billboards, music scene, and legendary clubs.
Eat at Merois, Ardor, and Sushi Ginza Onodera – when in West Hollywood, why shy away from spending $$$ on food?
West Hollywood offers many stylish accommodations, such as Chateau Marmont, Sunset Tower Hotel, and Petit Ermitage. It is perfect for night owls, party animals, and shopaholics.
Beverly Hills: Perfect For Luxury Shopaholics
How could we wrap up this blog without mentioning Beverly Hills?
If luxury shoppers are wondering where to stay in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, though very expensive, is the best neighborhood.
With its central location, beautifully kept streets, idyllic parks, fine dining, acclaimed hotels, and historical past, Beverly Hills is the perfect picture of an urban landscape and luxurious stays that appeal to different lifestyles and tastes.
If you have the budget for five-star accommodation, Beverly Hills is the best place to stay in Los Angeles. An Italian Renaissance-inspired Beverly Wilshire, the boutique Sirtaj Hotel, the Five Diamond Peninsula Beverly Hills, and Waldorf Astoria, with its stunning rooftop restaurant, are our favorite spots to stay in the 90210.
Beverly Hills is the most iconic destination for VIP shopping and fashion boutiques, always living up to its shop-till-you-drop reputation. One of the most expensive streets, Rodeo Drive, was featured in Beverly Hills Cop, Clueless, and other movies for a reason. Its palm tree-lined street and luxurious fashion houses prove to be the loveliest vacation indulgence in Los Angeles.
Los Feliz: For The Creative Spirit Of The City
Los Feliz is home to many low-key and legendary bars, restaurants, and great cafes, making it an ideal place to stay in Los Angeles.
This neighborhood is home to creative and hipster spirits who are looking for a small-town, quaint setting to stay in Los Angeles. Los Feliz is the best-kept secret by the locals, who want to keep the town all for themselves.
Los Feliz’s charming and laid-back vibe invites a slow-paced lifestyle in the heart of bustling Los Angeles.
But if we talk about the key areas, you should target Hillhurst Avenue and Vermont Avenue. Dotted with funky indie stores and welcoming restaurants, Los Feliz is where you go incognito and escape everything for a while.
Being closer to Griffith Observatory, Los Feliz is perfect for a family-friendly and charming stay. Hike to the Hollywood sign, escape the bustling crowds, and have tacos during a lazy brunch, then make your way to the Universal Studios, Paramount Studios, the Los Angeles Zoo, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Top hotels to stay in and near Los Feliz include the Cara Hotel, Hollywood Hotel, and Silver Lake Pool & Inn.
Where to Stay in Los Angeles – The Prices
Depending on high and low traveling seasons, your budget, and the accommodation type you prefer, the average cost of a hotel room in Los Angeles can start from $73 to $215 and $232.
Beverly Hills is one of the most expensive areas to stay in L.A. If you are looking for a budget-friendly stay, Venice Beach, East Hollywood, and a few pockets of Santa Monica are your best bets.
If you are visiting Los Angeles for the first time and want to stay in a central location to save a bundle on transport charges, Downtown Los Angeles is the perfect place to see the best of the city and access other neighborhoods using public transportation.
Whether you are looking for that luxurious Hollywood glamor, nightlife, or a bohemian and laid-back community, we highly recommend checking for rates of several hotels and booking a room in advance.
This way, you can secure the best place to stay in Los Angeles within your budget and travel preferences.
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