There’s no questioning the allure of Los Angeles, the city of sun, stars and screens. Even if traveling for business, the city has a way of making it feel like pleasure, in part, thanks to its many luxury hotels. Whether you prefer the glamour of Old Hollywood or New, you’re sure to find it in our list of Forbes Travel Guide Star-Rated properties.
You can trust our ratings because we send incognito inspectors to each property for a three-day, two-night stay. The inspectors test hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, which accounts for 70 percent of a property’s rating. The remaining 30 percent comes from the quality and condition of the facilities.
Here are L.A.’s star hotels:
Five-Star Hotels in Los Angeles
One of L.A.’s most enduring icons is this stately, pale-pink hotel on Sunset Boulevard. The Beverly Hills Hotel has been attracting guests since 1912. Guests love the hotel for its private bungalows, gorgeous tropical gardens and retro-style pool. Head over to the Polo Lounge, which still buzzes with handshakes and business deals, or Bar Nineteen12, a place to party with the beautiful and affluent. Read more.
Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
Stroll a gleaming lobby teeming with flowers, wander through verdant gardens or dine in a patio ensconced by plants at the Four Seasons. Surrounded by greenery, you might forget you’re in Beverly Hills. The hotel attracts locals and visitors alike — whether it’s for dinner at Culina or a staycation with cabana time at the outdoor pool. Read more.
While The Peninsula is known for its old-school attention to service like monogrammed bed pillows, it also delivers of-the-moment details. On the roof, poolside cabanas — equipped with Apple TVs, charging stations and Wi-Fi — can be transformed into offices or massage spaces.
The Living Room draws Hollywood’s power elite, who come for the afternoon tea or evening cocktails. Read more.
Waldorf Astoria left nothing to chance in making a lasting first impression. The hotel’s rooftop restaurant comes from heralded chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the Five-Star La Prairie Spa is exclusive to L.A. and famed designer Pierre-Yves Rochon devised the stunning interiors. The 12-story Waldorf is one of Beverly Hills’ tallest buildings and affords cityscape views from every room. Read more.
Four-Star Hotels in Los Angeles
When Conrad Hilton debuted this flagship property in 1955, women greeted guests from the top of pink elephants. Since 1961, its ballroom has hosted the Golden Globes. The midcentury-modern building also maintains a sense of nostalgia, but the amenities are new, including Upgrade Labs — a high-tech gym offering the latest in health innovations — and Italian restaurant CIRCA 55. Read more.
Originally opened in 1926 as one of the West Coast’s most exclusive beach clubs, Casa del Mar was revived to its 1920s glory after a $50 million renovation in 1999. Mosaic tile work, soft colors and rich woods reflect the historic beach club setting, and it features a red-tile roof, wrought-iron balconies and sculptures throughout. Read more.
A star was reborn in Century City. Fairmont Century Plaza, formerly the iconic Century Plaza Hotel, made its big comeback in 2021. Fairmont retains its midcentury panache with modern art installations (don’t miss Laura, Jaume Plensa’s 23-foot sculpture out front), a French brasserie, a 14,000-foot spa, an immense gym, a cocktail lounge, a rooftop pool and a hotel-within-a-hotel. Read more.
Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village
Set on 12 acres of exotic gardens and waterfalls, this suburban L.A. hotel provides a respite. Home to the Four Seasons collection’s largest spa, which includes a wellness center, the hotel attracts those looking to get healthy and relax. You will want to seek out this hidden gem, especially when the retreat unveils a new pool and entertainment area in October. Read more.
This sanctuary adopts a contemporary design with marble, limestone floors and natural wood ceilings, cultivating a luxurious elegance in the most serene of settings.
Hotel Bel-Air sits on 12 acres of lush gardens, guaranteeing tropical views from the rooms. And with seven treatment rooms, a mosaic steam room and top-notch service, the spa makes it easy to relax. Read more.
The Langham Huntington, Pasadena
The Langham has been a fixture of the city ever since it was built in 1906. After it failed to take flight as the Hotel Wentworth in 1907, it was resurrected in 1911 as the Huntington Hotel when railroad tycoon Henry Huntington purchased it and had L.A. architect Myron Hunt redesign it. Read more.
You’ll swoon over The Maybourne Beverly Hills’ spacious rooms, complete with luxurious bathrooms and comfortable beds. After settling in, head to the rooftop to dine at Dante Beverly Hills — an outpost of the NYC institution — and take in Hollywood Hills vistas. Take advantage of the spa‘s treatments, gym, mineral pool and sauna. Read more.
On Catalina Island off California’s coast, Mt. Ada provides a quick getaway far removed from nearby L.A. The former 1921 colonial-style mansion of chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. hosted important social gatherings during its heyday. Nowadays, you’re the guest of honor in the cozy inn’s six accommodations. Read more.
When it opened in 2010, The Ritz-Carlton pioneered a new luxury era in the up-and-coming downtown. The sleek reflective tower hovering over L.A. Live’s entertainment campus broke ground for the rush of upscale restaurants and real estate that has evolved into a boom.
The spa epitomizes what makes this hotel so great, offering peace, pampering and privacy in ultra-chic surroundings. Read more.
The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey
Five miles from LAX, The Ritz-Carlton feels worlds away. Perched on one of the world’s largest man-made recreational marinas, the hotel is surrounded by sparkling water and glimmering yachts. And with a sumptuous spa, an earthy eatery and gorgeous views from every angle, you may never want to leave this hideaway. Read more.
For in-the-know locals, Shutters is a frequent destination. Styled by Obama White House designer Michael S. Smith, it is one of Santa Monica’s most beloved spots for seaside brunches and poolside basking. At 1 Pico, sample a seasonally driven menu. Then at ONE the Spa, copy the locals and get a HydraFacial. Read more.
Although Terranea is only 30 miles from downtown, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to a lush Mediterranean estate. Hugging the coastline in the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Terranea offers unparalleled views of the ocean and nearby Catalina Island.
Discover eight restaurants and bars (don’t miss mar’sel) or indulge at the spa, a 50,000-square-foot haven overlooking the water. Read more.
Recommended Hotels in Los Angeles
A refuge from the bright billboards and bustle of Sunset Boulevard, 1 Hotel sets you at ease with its lush exterior landscaping and calming neutral-toned furnishings in the plant-plush lobby. From utilizing 75 tons of local fallen trees in the design, to composting, to maintaining a rooftop beehive, 1 Hotel is one of L.A.’s most planet-friendly stays. Read more.
Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel
When Warren Beatty was a bachelor, the actor spent 15 years nesting in a Beverly Wilshire suite. And thanks to an ultra-sleek cocktail lounge and Wolfgang Puck’s steakhouse CUT, the lavish hotel lures today’s hottest celebrities, too.
Make like a star and go on a Rodeo Drive shopping spree — the hotel is at the foot of the famous corridor — or get pampered at the Five-Star spa. Read more.
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
When this soaring 73-floor glass tower debuted in 2017, it set records — it’s the tallest building on the West Coast and the largest InterContinental in the Americas. The 1,100-foot-tall skyscraper dazzles with 360-degree city views. End your night with breezes and DJ-spun tunes at Spire 73, the Western Hemisphere’s highest outdoor lounge. Read more.
JW Marriott Los Angeles, L.A. Live
With the convention center seeing more than 2 million visitors annually, JW Marriott was a necessary downtown addition. The completion of the 878-room hotel in 2010 marked the launch of the area’s first upscale high-rise.
Offering amazing access to L.A. Live — a conglomerate of sports, entertainment and dining venues — this hotel accommodates a large volume of guests daily. Read more.
Nobu hotels and restaurants from respected chef Nobu Matsuhisa are trendy celebrity hangouts in which to see and be seen. However, the world’s first Nobu Ryokan — based off a traditional Japanese-style inn — is the opposite: a hideaway. With only 16 rooms, it’s an oceanside escape dedicated to the art of unwinding. Read more.
If Billie Eilish and Audrey Hepburn were planning a girlfriends’ getaway, Pendry West Hollywood would be where they would stay. It strikes a balance of rock-star cool and sophisticated elegance. The hotel channels vintage Hollywood glamour while mixing in contemporary art. Read more.
Chic design meets comfort at this boutique hotel meticulously brought to life by L.A.-based designer Kelly Wearstler. The creative tested all 267 rooms herself, ensuring every Instagram-worthy space is cozy. The property’s rooftop bistro Calabra draws crowds nightly and Surya Spa has a cult following. Read more.
SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, A Luxury Collection Hotel
Open since 2008, the hip SLS Hotel continues to draw crowds with its opulent but whimsical Philippe Starck design. With a 5,000-square-foot spa, rooftop lounge and pool, the SLS is a world unto itself with an abundance of stimulation — both visually and physically. Read more.
Although it debuted in 2000 as Viceroy’s first hotel, Viceroy Santa Monica is still a glam and inspiring stay. A 2023 renovation breathed new life into the beach retreat with sun-and-surf-inspired accommodations, a redesigned lounge and a pool deck now outfitted with luxurious cabanas and a patio. Read more.
A gas-station-turned-glittering-getaway, The EDITION is a hot spot. With playful interiors designed by Ian Schrager and a minimalistic build by U.K. architect John Pawson, the 190-room hotel is strikingly modern yet approachable. Plus, the cityscape views from most rooms do not disappoint. Read more.
