Los Angeles may be the most famous city on earth. And for good reason — there’s a particular charm that gloms onto the hot Ocean air and is swept all throughout this beautiful and sprawling city. This place must be visited in everyone’s lifetime. A hotel in Santa Monica grants you access to the Atlantic Coastline in all its glory. One in Hollywood or Beverly Hills will have you rubbing elbows with the US’ rich and famous, and Downtown is the place to be for making business deals and for iconic destinations like the Walt Disney Concert Hall. While in the City of Angels, carve out plenty of time to eat some of the best American cuisine one can find and see a couple of movies in the place where they were made.

Where to stay at a hotel in Los Angeles? Top neighborhoods at a glance

Hollywood & Beverly Hills: Celebrity central

© The Charlie West Hollywood Hollywood is even more than a household name at this point — there is where the magic happens and has happened for a long time. From the perhaps equally famous Beverly Hills to the Sunset Strip to West Hollywood to the Hollywood Hills and Sign, this chunk of Los Angeles is where you’ll be most potently surrounded by the carefree, old-fashioned Americana energy of the city. The hotels in this area are seriously lux — boasting massive rooftop pools, cute cabanas where you can while away a day or two drinking champagne, and stunning views over the iconic skyline. For more views and more architecture, plus some stargazing, head up to the art deco Griffith Observatory. The Observatory includes a series of telescopes, through which you can see up into the cosmos, as well as spot the Hollywood Sign. If this is a family-oriented trip, you’re in luck — there are a plethora of family-friendly hotels as well as Universal Studios Hollywood, an amazing place for a day of pure, unforgettable fun. Take a drive down the Sunset Strip and feel like a real local, passing by the Chateau Marmont hotel for the literati and the scandalous, once-residence of the likes of The Who, Rolling Stones, and many more — the Riot House, and the famous Viper Room.

Santa Monica: Beach and class

Santa Monica is typical, iconic Los Angeles. From the Santa Monica Pier, which stretches out into the wild Atlantic and plays host to a particularly charming amusement park, to the beautiful beach, to upscale shopping areas and amazing restaurants and bars, Santa Monica is the place to live like a real Angelino. Time moves slowly here and is best spent simply soaking up the energy and beautiful views like from Palisades Park and at the local farmer’s market. The hotels here are the best of the best, stately on the main drag or tucked sweetly away in the hills or on the beach. These establishments provide a great home base for exploring the city, consistently securing central locations, and are run by a staff who has their finger on the pulse of this magic city. Nearby is also the very famous Getty, worth a visit for a wander around its iconic architecture, impressive collection of art from the Neoclassical period, palace-like gardens, and sweeping views over the city. In Downtown Santa Monica, settle into a hotel that takes luxury to the next level, boasting the finest and most modern of amenities and service that never stops giving. These bustling streets just inland from Santa Monica State Beach are replete with chances for shopping and eating and wandering in the hot sun.

Downtown: LA’s beating heart

Downtown Los Angeles or DTLA is not like most downtowns. First of all, there the hotels exude real, potent luxury in the classy interior design concepts, the first-rate cuisine on offer, the well-equipped gyms and conference halls, and the beautiful rooms with high-rise views over the architectural pastiche that is LA. A hotel downtown is a great option for those traveling for business, as many of the big deals are happening here in the financial hub of the city. While there, revel in the bustle occurring at the meeting point of old and new in all the historical buildings and shiny new skyscrapers. A particularly shiny and tall version of the latter is the Oue Skyspace. Once up at the top, the very adventurous can even glide down the transparent toboggan Skyslide that wraps around the building and offers unparalleled views of the city below. The Grand Central Market consists of a wide variety of food vendors serving up the best in American, Latin, Mexican, Thai, and everything else. Even if you’re not staying at these places, the Ace Hotel and the Standard both have amazing rooftops where you can hang around for a drink and a burger with a view. Finally, the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall hosts a great program of classical music, experimental music, and everything in between. Lovers of culture should head also to the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Good to know

Getting around: You will definitely need a car to get around LA. It’s a huge city with barely any public transport. Some choose to rely just on taxis, but this can be expensive given the size and nature of the traffic in LA. You can rent one anywhere.

Skid Row: If in Downtown LA, avoid the area known as Skid Row. It is high in violent crimes and gang activity and not meant for visitors.