9 Of The Best Hotels In Hollywood For Your Next Los Angeles Stay

Taking up an entire block of WeHo’s Sunset Strip. The Pendry marks the place where the legendary House of Blues once was. Things look a little different these days but inside, the ambiance is just as lively as ever—with a bowling alley, social club and several Wolfgang Puck restaurants attracting locals and tourists alike. And while the guest rooms look like they’re pulled straight from a furniture catalogue, they’re modern and stylish which is just our vibe of course.

Driving down Hollywood Boulevard, this sky-soaring landmark is impossible to miss. The hotel has played a pivotal role in the history of Hollywood since the late 1920s, when it hosted the first ever Academy Awards. The rooms might be on the pricier side, but if your travel itinerary includes major tourist attractions like the Walk of Fame, Madame Tussaud and Chinese Theatre, you’ll save on the Uber trips.

Its elegant, old-world Hollywood appeal and classic art deco architecture were revitalised a few years back, giving Sunset Tower Hotel a new lease on life—and once again earning its reputation as a hotspot for movie executives and entertainment industry heavyweights. There’s a long history of celebrity clientele here (dating back to former residents like Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Frank Sinatra), which is why there’s a strict privacy policy in place. Travellers beware: phones and sneaky selfies in the common areas could get you banned. Our tip: head up to the rooftop balcony to breathe in those killer sunset city views.

The Fairfax district is characterised by an intentional ‘urban grit’ that you won’t get from other parts of Hollywood. On one hand it’s dotted with bargain streetwear outlets, nail salons and graffiti murals; on the other, designer sneaker stores, upmarket restaurants and supermarkets selling $20 kale smoothies. Short Stories Hotel sits somewhere in the middle, in between the eclectic rock ‘n’ roll energy of Melrose Ave, and the manicured landscapes of The Grove (which is the equivalent of a really fancy outdoor Westfield shopping complex). It’s a beauty of a space, with hardwood floors and sophisticated, contemporary furnishings that elevate the rooms from your typical corporate hotel stay. Don’t leave without taking a picture in the black and white tiled courtyard; the fountain and glorious overhanging ferns make for a perfect Instagram backdrop.

Whoever designed the Thompson Hollywood was clearly given a strong brief, which probably went something like: “we want Don Draper, leaning back on a plush velvet chair as he sips a neat whiskey and contemplates his success in life”. They certainly delivered—because despite this being a Hyatt hotel, the entire place feels like a 1960s cocktail lounge. The pièce de résistance is the hotel rooftop, where guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast or cocktails by the pool as they take in 360° views of the city. Ooh la la.

There’s only 24 rooms inside this small completely OTT decadent hotel, and each one is themed to the tune of an ultra-glam Hollywood starlet. There’s nothing understated about the aesthetic; it’s all the brainchild of Martyn Lawrence Bullard, who's one of the industry’s 100 top interior designers (according to Architectural Digest). Guests can expect leopard print cushions, dramatic prints, embossed wallpaper, four poster beds and rich emerald paintwork embellished with flourishes of gold. Naturally, The Prospect lives in Whitley Heights, which is Hollywood’s original celebrity residential neighbourhood.

It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but beyond the gates of this retreat-style property you’ll find luxury Spanish villas and meticulously manicured gardens (which include a mini waterfall and koi pond). The hotel is a favourite of the entertainment industry, and a popular choice for musicians who come to lay down tracks at Nightbird Recording Studios which is located directly underneath the building. In fact, The Sunset Marquis has a long history of hosting rock legends over the decades, with Joan Jett, the Who, and the Doors all gracing its guest list.

Hotel Ziggy pays homage to the rock music legends who helped shape the Sunset Strip. We’re talking the days when metal was glam, hair was coiffed and lacquered, and places like the Viper Room and Whiskey a Go Go had an exclusive guest list. Times have changed since then, but you can relive those heydays inside one of Ziggy’s studio suites—which come decorated with band posters and vinyl records, to resemble the kind of loft bedroom you probably fantasised about having as a teenager. Guests also receive access to the hotel’s range of electric and acoustic guitars, amps, tambourines, headphones, and ring lighting equipment for serious social media creation.

Norma Triangle sits between the major Sunset Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard strips; it’s a quieter, residential section of West Hollywood that’s lined with trees and cute, 1960s ‘dingbat’ style apartment buildings. Tucked amongst it all is the Petit Ermitage—a whimsical fantasy of a structure, with one-of-a-kind hotel rooms and a distinct bohemian twist. While most of the luxury hotels in the area opt for a mid-century Californian aesthetic, Petit Ermitage leans more toward vintage French provincial; a theme that’s carried all the way to the hotel’s rooftop. From the skyline vantage point, guests can enjoy nighttime movie screenings, a heated saltwater pool and private, candlelit dinners beneath the stars.