Cool Places to Stay in Los Angeles California Guide

Los Angeles County in California has 88 cities, with over 1,200 hotels from which to choose! So my list of the best hotels is kind of a drop in the bucket. However, it does cover my actual experience over many years of visiting LA and hopefully that will help you find a great, cool place to stay for your visit!

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites – Downtown LA

_{404 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA}

Completed in 1976, the iconic Bonaventure Hotel is sure to be recognized by any Gen X or Baby Boomer for its famous appearances in True Lies, Blade Runner, Rain Man, Breathless, Heaven Can Wait and Clint Eastwood’s In the Line of Fire. It’s easily recognizable in any shot of the LA skyline. In its first decade or so it was the epitome of cool and futuristic, with its round towers, glass elevator banks, and huge indoor atrium with a lake and fountains.

The rooms are large and comfortable with floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the downtown Los Angeles view! The Lakeview Bistro lobby restaurant serves good breakfast and lunch items and makes a great people-watching experience.

Nowadays I admit it’s a little sad exploring the hotel because most of the floors previously dedicated to shops and restaurants are empty ghost towns. However, I believe it’s still well worth a visit and stay because of its unique architecture, history, comfortable rooms, and great location.

Highlights

• Classic, cool architecture!
• A bunch of movies were filmed here!
• It looks cool and is iconic!
• Large rooms.

Lowlights

• Floors which used to contain restaurants and shops are now empty.

Things that made me say “What the Heck?”

• Parking is in a building next door. Quite a walk.
• The famous revolving rooftop bar is not currently revolving.

Holiday Inn Express – North Hollywood

_{11350 Burbank Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA}

If you’re up in the North Hollywood area this is a great place to stay. Very clean, and modern. I loved that the rooms had a microwave, coffee maker (with free coffee pods), and a refrigerator. Also, I love that I had a bathtub in my room since that seems to be more of a rarity these days! Another touch I don’t remember seeing anyplace else was bed pillows labeled “Firm” or “Soft”.

This Holiday Inn Express has laundry facilities, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center. Breakfast is included in your stay, with a pretty good variety of options.

Hotel Ziggy – West Hollywood

_{8462 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, California}

Hotel Ziggy is a new boutique hotel on Sunset Strip in West Hollywood (WeHo). It’s located near famous comedy clubs “The Comedy Store” and “Laugh Factory”. Hotel Ziggy has a rock and roll theme with album covers everywhere, trippy psychedelic murals, and frequent live music in their lobby venue, Backbeat.

The hotel features a saltwater pool, surrounded by lounge chairs and music playing to complete the cool atmosphere. You can even borrow a guitar, a ukulele, or a tambourine if you feel inspired by the vibe!

There was a “margarita hour” mid-afternoon the day I was there, followed by a happy hour! Overall the atmosphere oozes coolness. It’s a great place to immerse yourself in the rockstar lifestyle, without the grittiness, and with a boutique hotel’s modern amenities and charm!

I loved the decor in my room! It felt plush, and a bit glam. The room has remote control air conditioning, a mini-fridge and a safe. I was given a free upgrade to a pool view King room (I think because the occupancy was low on the Sunday night I was there). It was fun to peek out my window and spy on the goings-on down by the pool!

Like many LA hotels parking was valet only. It was $65 per night with unlimited in and out privileges. Be sure to take into account the parking fee when considering your stay here.

Does LA have any fun places to eat?

I’m glad you asked! Take a look here.

Is there anything to do in LA if you’re on your own?

Why, yes! Please see this post.

Map of mentioned places

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