The 12 Best Hotels in West Hollywood and Downtown L.A. to Book for Your Next Vacay
The city of stars is calling you.
Let's be real: A hotel can truly make or break any vacay. Sometimes they’re legit perfect, but far too often, they’re seriously disappointing, either because they look nothing like they do in the pics (wtf), or the location isn’t as great as it seemed (cue the stress tears).
Fortunately, there’s a high chance you WILL NOT be bummed when you book a hotel in West Hollywood or Downtown LA, because most of them are downright incredible, so it’s kinda hard to go wrong. Both areas have a high concentration of restaurants, bars, and event venues all within walking distance—meaning you actually don't need a car to get around (a true LA miracle). With that in mind, here are the best hotels to book, from the classy to the trendy to the utterly chic. And btw, if you want to explore even more of LA, may we suggest checking out CosmoTrips, our new travel-booking biz where we do all of the planning for you—and you do zero work? Our LA trips are 🔥.
Mondrian LA
When you book a trip to LA through CosmoTrips, this hotel is one of the places you may stay, which makes sense because...it's incredible!! (What can we say, we do not do meh.) The rooms are super fun and funky, it's in a great location in the heart of West Hollywood, and the ~amazing~ rooftop comes with a pool and an epic bar, Sky Bar, with killer views of LA.
Rave review: "This place is exquisite and conveniently located to many beautiful shops and venues. The service was magnificent, and staff was attentive and friendly. My suite was facing a gigantic lit billboard that featured Jay-Z, so I slept with him every night :) Would definitely stay here again!"
Hotel Ziggy
CosmoTrips may also put you up at Hotel Ziggy, a music-centric boutique whose entire MO is rock n' roll. The moment you enter, you’ll be greeted by all of the retro memorabilia, from vintage record players to hundreds of old vinyls and more. There's even a "Shred Shed" where you can borrow guitars to jam, and a pizza joint called “B-side Pizza” that’s inspired by LA’s first iconic record store, Licorice Pizza.
Rave review: "Amazing hotel, couldn't have picked anywhere better. Great vibes, friendly, very welcoming, so relaxing, decor is trendy, love love love it....everything was perfect!!!! Location perfect too!!"
Downtown L.A. Proper
Get your camera ready, because you're going to want to document everything in The Proper. The eclectic (and oh-so-chic) design is seriously unmatched, and the 147-room hotel's rooftop restaurant Cara Cara, with its all-day menu and gorgeous views, seals the deal.
Rave Review: "Cozy rooms, warm feeling, vintage aesthetic, but above all amazing service."
The Hoxton
The 174-room Hoxton has a kind of Old Hollywood feel that's been updated to fit the fun vibes of DTLA—which means it's a pretty epic hotel. Hang out at the rooftop pool, or grab a bite to eat while you're there. (The in-house restaurant, Cabra, has a delicious Peruvian-inspired menu.)
Rave Review: "Friendly and super responsive staff made my stay at The Hoxton perfect. I travel a lot for work and stay at many different hotels. I can honestly say that because of the staff, I would go out of my way to recommend The Hoxton as an excellent hotel choice in DTLA."
Hotel Indigo
With unexpected decor (glitzy and kitschy at the same time!) and unique, IG-worthy rooms—like the Golden Age-inspired Executive Suite—the 18-floor Hotel Indigo is a must-stay if you're visiting LA. Fans of bold colors (like bright blue and green) and great city views are sure to love it.
Rave Review: "Great location if you're staying in downtown LA. Our room was a double Queen room on the 15th floor with views of Staples Center. The room was spacious, with funky decor and mood lighting behind the beds. Bathroom was huge, shower was amazing."
The Wayfarer
The Wayfarer is a boutique hotel in DTLA that has endless charm. Each room is cozy and expertly-designed, with winking-eye window shades and cloud-like wallpaper, and there's a rooftop bar where you can spend your evenings, too.
Rave Review: "We stayed a couple weeks ago and were very impressed! The location is perfect. The hotel is located in a well-lit, safe part of DTLA close to shopping, fine dining and LA Live. The rooms have HUGE televisions. I felt like I was in a movie theatre!"
The Ace Hotel
If you're into a modern aesthetic (read: lots of concrete), then the 182-room Ace Hotel is for you. It's sleek and minimalist, with just a touch of whimsy, thanks to the hotel shop (where you snag your own gear) and pops of color throughout the space.
Rave Review: "I've stayed at The Ace multiple times now and has always been an amazing time. The rooms are super clean, nice staff, and the price for what you get is well worth it. Highly recommend The Ace to anyone staying in LA."
Hotel Figueroa
A charming boutique hotel with plenty of leather accent and abstract art, Hotel Figueroa is such a fun DTLA stay. The historic building adds a really funky vibe, and there are multiple outdoor areas to enjoy (including a pool).
Rave Review: "Outstanding and historical boutique hotel in the heart of Downtown LA. Great food, great service, nice atmosphere."
InterContinental
With 889 rooms and suites, the InterContinental Hotel in DTLA is swanky enough to make you feel like the bougie main character who happens to live in a penthouse suite.
Rave Review: "The suite was roomy, bright and full of light due to floor-to-ceiling windows. I never closed the curtains, because I wanted to continually explore the scenery and point out my favorite LA landmarks, helicopter landings and rooftop swimming pools."
Sheraton Grand
After staying here while my parents visited me in LA, I can attest that the Sheraton Grand is an amazing hotel experience. You'll feel soooo fancy—trust.
Rave Review: "The lobby was beautiful, the baggage team was very helpful, the front desk was courteous, the elevator system worked fast, the room was clean and the beds comfortable, and the breakfast and service in the Platinum Lounge was perfect! I could not have asked for a better stay at this price and in this location!"
Los Angeles Athletic Club Hotel (LAAC)
The Los Angeles Athletic Club Hotel has been around for over 125 years—which is pretty iconic. And as a bonus, the 72-room hotel offers themed suites like “The Beach Club Suite” and “The Trojan Club Suite” to make your stay even more memorable.
Rave Review: "We enjoyed our brief visit. The LAAC is a beautifully maintained historic property. It's like waltzing back in time. The service, friendly staff, beautiful art, historic photos and ephemera are at every turn."
JW Marriott at LA Live
For those who want a great view of Los Angeles and a reliably comfy place to sleep downtown, JW Marriott at L.A. Live is the place for you. It's right by the Crypto.com Arena (formerly the STAPLES Center) and Convention Center (where several Grammys events are hosted each year) if you need quick access to either, as well!
Rave Review: "From check-in to checkout, everything was excellent. The staff and amenities were top notch. They went out of their way to make our staff comfortable. The room was very nice. They offered little extra perks, which we enjoyed."
Maggie Griswold (she/her) is a contributing fashion editor for Cosmopolitan and freelance writer and editor based in Los Angeles, covering everything from the latest wardrobe must-haves to interior design trends. Along with Cosmopolitan, you can find her work on Oprah Daily, StyleCaster, Women's Health, and House Digest, among others. She's a big (read: ridiculously huge) fan of the '90s sitcom Frasier, all things Shakespeare, and a good romance-filled YA novel. Follow her on Instagram.
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