Ritz-Carlton Hotel Marina del Rey Los Angeles
Rates start at
$369
Imagine waking up from a dreamy night, feeling luxurious goose down under your fingertips as sunlight dabbles into your spacious room. Then you get up to soak in the picturesque Santa Monica Marina before getting ready for a full day of business or pleasure. This choice is the essence of the Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey. As the only AAA five-star hotel in the area, the Ritz-Carlton was built and recently renovated with business travelers and luxury tourists in mind.
As soon as you pull up to the front of the Ritz-Carlton, you know that your senses are in for a treat. From the attentive staff to the Italian marble bathrooms and French doors leading to your room’s balcony, this hotel will satisfy your every need. If you choose to sail into Marina del Rey and tie up at one of the hotel’s 14 slips, make liberal use of the modern gym or dockside room service.
Unlike the typical hotels aimed at the business traveler, the Ritz-Carlton provides a level of sophistication that envelopes the guest with resort-like amenities. In addition to the free newspaper, business center, fax, that business travelers have become accustomed to, the Ritz-Carlton also offers a secretarial service, cribs, and babysitting. The hotel staff pays attention to even the smallest details, with handwritten notes and a basket of fresh fruit to greet you. Business travelers will appreciate not having to feel passing jets overhead every few minutes, as the hotel is a short 10-minute drive from the airport. For the dog lovers, the Ritz-Carlton even offers in room dining for their pets. Read more »
Best Western Carlyle Inn Los Angeles
Rates start at
$165
When staying in Beverly Hills, one is looking for sophistication and style. Guests get this in spades at the Best Western Carlyle Inn. This hotel’s building is a white concrete European style building, centered around a courtyard, tucked away off of Robertson Boulevard, a shopper’s dream street. The hotel’s 32 rooms are situated central to all Los Angeles. Onsite parking is available for a small fee for those with or who have rented cars. Though you won’t need a car to get to all the amazing restaurants in the area, including a lovely Thai restaurant across the street, Naraya Thai.
Upon entering the lobby, guests will find the décor very modern, with lots of slanted art and polished marble. The dining room compliments this looks with an abundance of black leather booths and black tile, and the excellent staff serve a complimentary buffet breakfast, with fresh cooked eggs and fresh fruit, and other selections that vary from day to day. One of the best features of the hotel is the courtyard that most rooms look down onto. The patio at the center is all old Hollywood, with chaise lounges and wrought iron chairs. It’s a nice, quiet place to unwind, away from all the shoppers on Robertson Boulevard. Tucked away even further, guests will find a secluded Jacuzzi. Read more »
Comfort Inn And Suites Los Angeles
Rates start at
$69
Playing it safe in a chain hotel is sometimes one of the best things you can do for your enjoyment on a vacation. It takes away any anxieties one might have about what the hotel will be like upon arrival. With the Comfort Inn, guests can expect clean rooms, polite service, and a great pool, necessary for summer days in Hollywood. The Comfort Inn & Suites Los Angeles is just down the street from the Hollywood Bowl, and staying at this hotel when one has tickets for a concert there is a very smart thing indeed. Parking in the area is one of the biggest headaches for an Angelino.
The lobby is full of light browns and tile. The breakfast room keeps this color scheme, with chocolate colored chairs and white/tan shutters, and serves a filling, complimentary breakfast. The pool, while small, is perfect for a small dip before the sun goes down and guests go out for the night. Read more »
Hilton Universal City Los Angeles
Rates start at
$151
On the border between Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley lies Universal City, home of City Walk and Universal Studios, which is also close by to Hollywood and the Hollywood Bowl. On top of the hill that is Universal City sits properties owned by two major hotel chains, one of these being the Hilton Universal City Hotel. In fact, this hotel is directly across from the entrance of the two major attractions in the area.
We pick this hotel every time we have guests from out of town that want to hit some of the tourist highlights. It is convenient to some of the big attractions, clean, and has amazing views of the city.
The Hilton Universal City has 483 rooms and charges just under $200 per night. If you are in the Hilton Honors program, try to get upgraded to the Executive level to take advantage of some of the goodies we enjoy there. First, there is the cocktail hour from 5-7pm with drinks and snacks. In the morning, there is an ample spread of continental breakfast items, such as fruit, cereal, coffee, and toast. Oh, and the restaurant has a really scrumptious seafood buffet. If you stay on the executive level, be sure to ask at their concierge desk for in-room massages and mani/pedis. They use some great local mobile day spa services. Read more »
Sofitel Hotel Los Angeles
Rates start at
$279
Known as a chain that offers excellence and luxury, the Sofitel in Beverly Hills did not disappoint. Among the 295 rooms priced just under $300 per night on average are some of the most spacious you will find in the area. Our room was beyond immaculate and whatever they used in the room smelled like spring flowers.
Everything had a modern and new look to it. There were the most amazing fluffy comforters that I wanted to wrap myself in and a large flat screen television that I think my husband was drooling over. We had an incredible view of the Hollywood Hills and I heard another guest say that they could see the Beverly Center from their room. That was music to my ears as the Beverly Center offers a lot of restaurants and premium shopping. The Grove is within walking distance as well.
The staff was courteous and attentive. Every phone call with room service was handled with efficiency and the housekeeping service brought extra pillows immediately. The front desk, valet staff, and bellhop were all terrific. It made us feel special and welcome. Read more »
Mondrian Hotel Los Angeles
Rates start at
$395
West Hollywood is the place to hear music, dance the night away, catch some comedy, shop, and celebrity watch, so it’s no wonder that there are so many hotels to choose from. Located right on the Sunset Strip is the infamous Mondrian Hotel, which has hosted any number of celebrities. In my previous life as a mobile day spa owner, I sent a nail tech to apply false nails for Amy Winehouse at 5a.m. just prior to a video shoot back in the day when she had herself together!
With so many celebrity clients staying there, I decided to book it in for a friend’s birthday celebration on the town. It is a lively hotel and one that does not disappoint in terms of service, rooms, and location. This was hip, happening and trendy in every way. It just seemed like the place to be if you wanted to be in the midst of the action. That made our party evening start off right! Read more »
Chamberlain West Hollywood Los Angeles
Rates start at
$260
During a recent trip to see a great show at the House of Blues off of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, we booked in to stay at the Chamberlain, which sits off the Sunset Strip but is within walking distance.
It is a true hidden gem of a boutique hotel located in a quiet residential area surrounded by mature trees and apartment buildings. I had first discovered it when I attended an event there atop the hotel by the rooftop pool. The stylish décor and intimate feel attracted me immediately as I prefer smaller hotels over the big boxy chains. Read more »
Farmer’s Daughter Hotel Los Angeles
Rates start at
$189
With a name like Farmer’s Daughter Hotel, you might be afraid that you would be staying in a barn with the cows and horses. Far from it! This hotel is a little bit country but mostly L.A. urban with a dash of humor thrown into the design, making it a quirky – yet comfortable – place to stay.
The location could not be better. The Grove is one of the hottest dining and shopping experiences in L.A. (celebs see this as their Mecca) and it’s just across the street next to the historic Farmer’s Market (go get a beef dip sandwich!!!!!). Hollywood is just minutes away by car. However, everything you may need is right here within walking distance. Read more »
Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive Los Angeles
Rates start at
$309
Hills, offering extraordinary value at between $250 and $350 per night, the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive is for you. In fact, it is actually the only hotel right on Rodeo for you shopping fashionistas!
With only 88 rooms, the Luxe is small on rooms but large on value and location. There are an endless number of choices when it comes to restaurants and shops right outside their doors, so a car is not really necessary in this particular area. That may be good because there is only valet parking at $28 per day. However, there are deals to be had at the Luxe Hotel – from the on-site food to the free Internet access.
Be sure to ask for a Rodeo view so you get the best sights. If you want to splurge, there is a penthouse that is available with an amazing terrace that overlooks the city. We went to an event up in the penthouse and promised ourselves that it would be a treat to stay there for an upcoming special occasion. Read more »
Raffles L’ermitage Beverly Hills Los Angeles
Rates start at
$425
Just for the sake of the fancy name, my husband and I selected Raffles L’Ermitage of Beverly Hills. From the outside, the hotel blends so well into the residential buildings surrounding it on the tree-lined street that we must have driven past two or three times before we realized there was a hotel there.
We picked this hotel for a special occasion so it came with one of the higher price tags at an average of $547 per night. However, Raffles L’Ermitage fits the old adage of “you get what you pay for” because this place delivers style, elegance, premium service, fine dining, and luxurious amenities.
The hotel has a European feel with marble, glass, lots of flowers everywhere, and grand furniture in the spacious lobby. Check-in was a breeze and there was so much help with carrying our luggage and seeing us to our room.
The room offered a mini-bar with free sodas and gourmet room service for those who wanted to dine in rather than try the restaurant that is on-site. The pool is on the roof and offers another quiet sanctuary. Read more »