Possibly the most essential hotel in all of LA, the 1927 Chateau is home to history, glamor, and the deepest secrets of a million celebrities. Now owned by Andre Balazs. Read more.
The pink Beverly Hills Hotel, designed by Elmer Grey and with an addition by Paul Williams, opened in 1912. It has 208 rooms Everyone has stayed there and its Polo Lounge is an institution. Read more.
Designed in the 1970s, it is supposedly one of the most photographed buildings in the world. Its top-floor Bonavista Lounge is big with fans of rotating lounges (i.e., everyone). Read more.
The Koning Eizenberg-designed Standard was an early pioneer in the last decade's Downtown renaissance. Expect waterbed cabanas and topiary by the rooftop pool, and SPiN ping pong club. Read more.
The famous Shutters on the Beach is perhaps the classiest hotel game on the shore--it has balconies on all 198 rooms, & direct access to the beach. Some rooms have fireplaces or jacuzzis. Read more.
Built in the 1920s by a group including Mary Pickford and Louis B. Mayer & hosted the first-ever Academy Awards. Now managed by Thompson Hotels, the Roosevelt has 300 rooms & a number of trendy bars. Read more.
Originally built in 1907, it had to be completely rebuilt in the early '90s. It sits on 23 acres and has 380 rooms, suites, and cottages, all very proper and lovely. Read more.
Built in 1921 & designed by Leland Bryant as a luxury apartment building for stars (including Howard Hughes, Errol Flynn, Marilyn Monroe). Revived in 2005, with the old school elegance firmly intact. Read more.
The landmark circular tower overlooking the 405 just south of the Getty Center. Once a Holiday Inn, it's now a hip, plush boutique with 208 rooms. Head up to the penthouse level for panoramic views. Read more.
Hands down the most hipper-than-thou hotel on the Strip, the Mondrian couldn't possibly have been put together by anyone but hotelier Ian Schrager & designer Philippe Starck. There are terrific views. Read more.
Built in 1923 & packed with ornate murals and frescos. Its tiled indoor pool is especially cool. The place for business types who have to stay in the heart of Downtown, history fans, and movie buffs. Read more.
One of the most glamorous joints in town, the Beverly Hills Hotel was built in 1928 on the former site of the Beverly Hills Speedway and has hosted Elvis Presley, John Lennon, and Barack Obama. Read more.
The 86-room Best Western Hollywood Hills has always been a favorite reasonably-priced option for its great location at the foot of the Hills, cute mid-century design, pool, and staple 101 Coffee Shop. Read more.
The super-charming and super-turquoise Georgian first opened in 1933 and still has that Old-Hollywood-hits-the-beach feel (its speakeasy is rumored to have been set up by Bugsy Siegel himself). Read more.
Here's a tip for getting into the wonderful, members-only Magic Castle: stay at the Magic Castle Hotel next door. It's cute, moderately-priced,& convenient to the madness on Hollywood Boulevard. Read more.
A chance to stay in a real 1930s luxury ocean liner without worrying about food poisoning. Guests bunk in staterooms, and the boat & area are packed with things to do (including a ghost tour). Read more.
The crescent-shaped Hyatt Regency Century Plaza was designed by World Trade Center architect Minoru Yamasaki, and along with its adjacent tower has 726 rooms. Its known for its very proper doormen. Read more.
Opened in 1946 & has been a favorite of privacy-seeking celebrities & other richies ever since. Now owned by the Sultan of Brunei, it now has 12 villas with their own infinity spas & a La Prairie spa. Read more.
