Anyone who’s been to Los Angeles can attest it’s unlike any other city in the world, and its magnificent hotels follow suit. From the beach to Bel Air, the best hotels in the City of Angels capitalize on the city’s sunny, starlit vibe. The editors at Forbes Travel Guide chose five primo places to check into on your next visit.
This is a small, stylish Five-Star boutique hotel where celebrities can get real privacy and guests can lounge in luxe cabanas at the rooftop pool or in leather seats at the Lobby Lounge & Bar. The latter is decked out with original movie scripts (several have been written here) that hang on the walls.
Tucked away in the hills of Bel Air, this Old Hollywood spot is more of a sprawling retreat than a traditional luxury hotel — bungalow-like guest rooms are clustered together, spread out on several levels and surrounded by gorgeous gardens. Hotel Bel-Air embraces an indoor-outdoor aesthetic; many of the rooms have large outdoor spaces (some with private plunge pools), much of the stunning Wolfgang Puck restaurant is on its twinkling terrace, and even Hotel Bel-Air Spa by La Prairie has an outdoor patio with a trickling waterfall.
Celebrities, VIPs and regular folk flock to this Five-Star Mediterranean-style hotel for its location (in Beverly Hills’ Golden Triangle), luxury amenities and seamless service. Our perfect day would be spent relaxing at the rooftop mosaic-tiled pool (which has views of L.A.), getting a treatment at the Four-Star Spa Montage and eating dinner on the terrace at the Four-Star Italian restaurant Scarpetta.
Shoppers love the glamorous location of this Five-Star hotel. It’s steps from Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive, which are lined with designer boutiques (newly renovated Dior) and department stores (Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus). You can expect the standard Peninsula service here, which isn’t standard at all — personalized welcome gifts, staffers who call you by name and monogrammed pillows in the suites are all de rigueur here.
Just a bit beyond downtown L.A., this Santa Monica Four-Star hotel sits on the sand and has more of a laid-back vibe than other Hollywood addresses. Shutters on the Beach feels like a giant, luxury cottage with spacious guest rooms and white-washed décor. In-the-know locals dine at One Pico to get a break from the usual L.A. sightseeing scene, and to nosh on an exceptional seasonal market menu.
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