Sun-soaked and glamorous, creative and dynamic, this is among the most visited destinations in the United States — and the best hotels in Los Angeles go a long way toward shaping an experience that can span from beaches and mountains to renowned museums and film premieres.
There's a hotel for everyone here, and that's true especially among our Inspectors' top picks: the MICHELIN Keys. Below is a look at the best of the best hotels in Los Angeles.
When a hotel earns Three MICHELIN Keys, it marks a destination unto itself. Two hotels in Los Angeles have Three MICHELIN Keys — each with an unforgettable history quintessential to this city.
First, the Hotel Bel-Air. A celebrity retreat since shortly after its opening in 1946, guests have included Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. The sprawling property, set within the confines of the mansion-strewn neighborhood of Bel-Air, features rose-colored bungalows, swan-filled ponds and lush landscaping — a timeless elegance in an exclusive location that continues to attract Hollywood luminaries. Visitors enjoy a garden paradise with private patios, gorgeous pool, spa, and several restaurants and bars from which to revel in the Southern California good life, well away from prying eyes.
The Beverly Hills Hotel, meanwhile, is often called “The Pink Palace” — and this second garden resort sits squarely along the glitzy corridor of Sunset Boulevard. The hospitality, with its optional butler service, is as exceptional as its distinguished accommodations. Among 210 rooms and suites and 23 bungalows, the Presidential Bungalow is the most coveted, featuring a private pool Jacuzzi and a chef's kitchen within tranquil tropical gardens and California palms. If the Bel-Air is for privacy, the Beverly Hills Hotel — with its iconic Polo Lounge restaurant — is where celebrities go to see and be seen.
There are five Two Key hotels in Los Angeles, all concentrated around West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, each offering a distinct experience despite their close proximity.
Chateau Marmont is among Los Angeles' most storied hotels. On the vibrant Sunset Strip, the hotel looks like a French castle and has more fascinating scandals to its name than perhaps any in the world. To pick a mild one, legend has it that members of Led Zeppelin once tore up the lobby on their motorcycles. Still, there is a reason the hotel has remained the choice of Hollywood royalty for decades — today, the hotel maintains its legendary atmosphere of refined discretion, with amenities that include secret gardens and extremely livable rooms, many featuring kitchens, dining areas and private terraces.
In another world entirely is the Pendry West Hollywood. Newly opened as of 2021, it is an architectural showstopper with bold brass and blue interiors that interprets the Golden Age of Hollywood through a sophisticated contemporary lens. Another highlight is the all-suite L'Ermitage Beverly Hills. Despite offering just over 100 mid-century-style accommodations, the experience remains profoundly intimate, with personalized service and prime access to the architectural landmarks of Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills.
The One Key Hotels
Finally, 16 hotels in Los Angeles make up the selection of One MICHELIN Keys. Beachfront hospitality is well represented, including the sophisticated accommodations of Shutters on the Beach, with its award-winning spa and California-chic lobby that serves as a favored gathering spot for live music and cocktails. Its sister hotel is just next door: Casa del Mar is among the few other hotels in Santa Monica perched right on the sand. Here, opulent 1920s Italianate elegance is supplemented with contemporary appeal, from beach yoga to private picnics to surf lessons. Both properties sit a five- to ten-minute walk from Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade.
Over in Hollywood, the Aster combines boutique luxury with members club exclusivity — just steps from the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame and its thousands of engraved stars. Natural light floods its stylish suites through floor-to-ceiling windows, while guests indulge in luxury amenities that span everything from pool access to recording studio, cinema, and swanky rooftop bar.
Representing another side of the city and within walking distance of two must-visit museums (the Broad and the Museum of Contemporary Art) is the Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel, set in a transformed 1920s landmark building where celebrated designer Kelly Wearstler's trademark aesthetic creates its own living museum through rotating local art and vintage touches. Bright, colorful rooms feature imported linens and tiled bathrooms, while the rooftop provides seasonal dining with sweeping city panoramas. See all our Key hotels in Los Angeles here.
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Hero image: The rooftop pool at Pendry West Hollywood
