The 19 Best Luxury and Boutique Hotels in Los Angeles

In a city known for its luxury, these 19 hotels are standouts. Each offers a unique take on world-class hospitality and L.A. glamour.

Large outdoor pool at sunset with a few palm trees and ocean in distance

The pool at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, California

Courtesy of Shutters on the Beach

With its thriving arts and culture, Hollywood glamour, and one of the best dining scenes in the nation, Los Angeles draws scores of visitors each year—50 million in 2024 alone. Luckily, this also means the city excels in luxury hotels and resorts.

While devastating wildfires in early 2025 affected parts of Los Angeles, the city is well on its way to recovery. In fact, L.A. will welcome the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the Super Bowl in 2027, and the Summer Olympics in 2028.

Whether you’re looking for a beachside bolthole by the city’s most famous surf breaks or a legendary retreat dripping in Hollywood Golden Age glamour, L.A. has it all. In this carefully curated list, we’ve selected 19 of our favorite places to stay in the City of Angels as part of Hotels We Love, our series of the best hotels and resorts of 2025.

The Beverly Hills Hotel

Pink cabanas line the poolside at the Beverly Hills Hotel, with tall palm trees in background

The Beverly Hills Hotel has long been a favorite getaway destination of the Hollywood elite.

Courtesy of the Beverly Hills Hotel

  • Neighborhood: Beverly Crest, Beverly Hills
  • Why we love it: Old-school Hollywood glamour
  • Loyalty program: Dorchester Collection Diamond Club
  • From $1,095
  • Book now

When the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel first opened for business in 1912, Beverly Hills was just a suburb of Los Angeles, and the hotel provided a place for people to stay when looking at parcels of land to live on in the area. But as the city of Beverly Hills developed, the hotel—nicknamed the Pink Palace—became a perennial favorite among the Hollywood set, ranging from Golden Age stars like Charlie Chaplin and Marilyn Monroe to modern-day celebrities like the Kardashians, Saweetie, and Mark Wahlberg. Today the hotel is run by the global luxury hotel group Dorchester Collection, and the famous cursive sign, whose font was created by architect Paul Revere Williams, one of the few Black architects at the time in L.A., still greets guests upon arrival.

The 210 guest rooms in the main building and 23 bungalows sit on 12 landscaped acres. The guest rooms feature midcentury-modern–inspired design, some of the most comfortable hotel beds in the game, and marble bathrooms. They include a dreamy one-bedroom, Rat Pack suite in the Crescent Wing that was a favorite of Frank Sinatra; it’s decked out with a full bar, grand piano, and a patio. Each bungalow is unique: Some are themed after famous former patrons. The Marilyn Monroe bungalow is resplendent with touches of pink, and the Howard Hughes is aviation-themed with dark woods and forest greens.

The Beverly Hills Hotel feels like an urban resort, with a 19,000-square-foot spa, an iconic pool and lounge area decorated in a Barbie-esque pink, a bar, and three dining options. The poolside Cabana Cafe is best for soaking up those Southern California rays (the McCarthy chopped salad is especially popular), while the Polo Lounge is said to be a favorite among Hollywood executives. The Fountain Coffee Room, famous for its pies, cakes, and breakfast options, was where Geffen Records signed Guns N’ Roses to its label.

Chateau Marmont

The living room of a bungalow of Chateau Marmont

Thanks to its homey, yet decidedly cool atmosphere, Chateau Marmont is popular with celebrities looking for long-term stays.

Courtesy of Chateau Marmont

  • Neighborhood: Sunset Strip, West Hollywood
  • Why we love it: A celebrity hangout that excels in discretion
  • From $595
  • Book now

In a city built on dreams, Chateau Marmont is the place where imaginations run wild. Opened in 1929 as luxury apartments in the style of a French château, the building became a hotel in 1930 and, over the decades, many famous guests—Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, Jim Morrison, Mick Jagger, and Johnny Depp, among them. Celebrity hotelier Andre Balazs renovated the hotel from top to bottom in the early 1990s, maintaining its signature Old World elegance (crushed velvet armchairs, wrought-iron chandeliers, columns galore) while outfitting it with modern luxuries.

From its secluded 1950s bungalows to its signature pool surrounded by gardens, the chateau is the kind of place where anyone can be somebody, and no secret will be spilled. Cameras are forbidden in the restaurant—a favorite spot for industry types and guests alike—and the famously solicitous staff won’t blink an eye if guests are misbehaving.

Conrad Los Angeles

Lobby with fireplace, ottomans with zigzag patterns, wood stools, and floor-to-ceiling windows

The lobby of the Conrad Los Angeles

Courtesy of Conrad Los Angeles

  • Neighborhood: Downtown Los Angeles
  • Why we love it: Frank Gehry design in a vibrant part of downtown
  • Loyalty program: Hilton Honors
  • From $450
  • Book now

Designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry, the 305-room Conrad Los Angeles opened in 2022 as the brand’s West Coast flagship in downtown L.A. The property is more like a boutique hotel than you’d expect, with an open-floor plan, a 10th-level lobby with soaring ceilings, and windows that leave the space dappled with light and shadow. Guest rooms have a calming blend of oak floors and natural linen walls and are equipped with luxurious Byredo bath products.

A highlight of the hotel—worthy of a meal even if you’re not staying the night—is the San Laurel restaurant in the lobby. The menu was created by superstar chef José Andrés, with dishes rooted in Spanish cuisine and made with California ingredients. Also on the lobby level is a 16,000-square-foot rooftop terrace complete with a private pool deck and Conrad Spa. Another highlight: You’re within walking distance of some of Los Angeles’s most prominent cultural venues, including the Walt Disney Concert Hall, MOCA, and the Broad.

Fairmont Century Plaza

Alfresco dining seating among greenery, with small fountain in foreground

The Lumière restaurant at the Fairmont Century Plaza brings 1920s France to the Los Angeles alfresco dining scene.

Courtesy of the Fairmont Century Plaza

  • Neighborhood: Century City, Los Angeles
  • Why we love it: A reimagined L.A. icon
  • Loyalty program: Accor Live Limitless
  • From $500
  • Book now

When Fairmont Century Plaza first opened in 1966, this luxury hotel on a former backlot of 20th Century Fox Studios became the first U.S. hotel to have color televisions. The hotel was also the site of President Nixon’s Dinner of the Century honoring the return of the Apollo 11 astronauts, and it hosted the 10th Grammy Awards when the Beatles won Album of the Year for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Today, it sits in the epicenter of Hollywood biggest talent agency offices and a chic shopping destination.

The building is a midcentury work from Minoru Yamaski (designer of the original World Trade Center). A $2.5 billion reimagination in 2021 by studio Yabu Pushelberg brought an updated elegance that reduced the guest rooms from 720 to 400 larger accommodations. The cool-toned rooms and 85 terrace-studded suites are adorned with digital paintings and landscape photographs and outfitted with Le Labo amenities. The outdoor pool is an oasis between office towers. A 14,000-square-foot spa offers a range of futuristic treatments, including biohacking (which involves infrared technology, neuroscience, and meditation) and an anti-gravity chair. Celebrity trainers work with the hotel; weights and equipment can be delivered to rooms.

Lumière is the hotel’s modern brasserie serving a California spin on French cuisine that leans on seasonal ingredients. And in keeping with the hotel’s star-spangled entertainment legacy, in the soaring lobby, the Bar doubles as a drinking den for meticulously crafted cocktails and a live music venue. Elton John and Mariah Carey have played here, and now DJs and next-gen artists play neo soul, jazz, and other styles five evenings a week.

Hotel Bel-Air

Portion of pink exterior of hotel, with flowers and palm trees covering it

The Hotel Bel-Air exudes Hollywood glamour.

Courtesy of Hotel Bel-Air

  • Neighborhood: Bel-Air
  • Why we love it: Timeless Hollywood elegance and exclusivity
  • Loyalty program: Dorchester Collection Diamond Club
  • From $1,065
  • Book now

Hotel Bel-Air is an elegant hideaway within the hills of one of the most exclusive L.A. neighborhoods. For decades, the signature pink property has been beloved by celebrities and notable figures, including Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, and Princess Diana. Accommodations are airy and bright and combine old-world glamour with contemporary style. Most of the 103 guest rooms and suites open directly onto gardens. (The 12-acre property has more than 1,200 types of plants.)

While it has undergone refreshes since it opened in the 1940s, the hotel recently added two new dining experiences. The Patisserie, an intimate bakery, offers house-made pastries, savory bites, and artisanal coffee and teas, while the Living Room serves afternoon tea, light lunches, and specialty cocktails.

InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown

Poolside seating: row of empty white lounge chairs, plus sofa and two round chairs

The Intercontinental is conveniently near all the best main attractions in DTLA.

Courtesy of the Intercontinental Los Angeles

  • Neighborhood: Financial District, Downtown Los Angeles
  • Why we love it: Sky-high luxury in central Los Angeles
  • Loyalty program: IHG One Rewards
  • From $552
  • Book now

Superlatives abound at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown. The 73-story structure is the tallest U.S. building west of Chicago and, at 889 rooms, the largest InterContinental in the Americas. Opened in 2017, the hotel was also downtown’s first LEED Gold Certified building for Building Design and Construction. All that record-setting is matched by a big personality and plenty of luxury. Inspired by architectural historian Reyner Banham’s book Los Angeles: The Architecture of Four Ecologies, the hotel features light fixtures based on schematic maps of L.A.’s freeways, hand-painted murals, and billboard-style headboards with city scenes.

Club Level suites are stocked with Le Labo Santal 33 amenities. And on the 71st floor, bathrooms are cheekily decorated in Marie Antoinette and cowboy themes. The Versailles-inspired restaurant La Boucherie is an American steakhouse with a French twist. In the restaurant’s VIP Starlight Booths, diners enjoy wine-paired chef’s tasting menus along with jaw-dropping views. Be sure to order the 1100 Feet—an original blend of liqueurs reflective of L.A.’s confluence of cultures—at Spire 73, the Western Hemisphere’s highest open-air bar. Pro tip: Book the Presidential Suite, and you’ll be rewarded with another kind of epic view—an infinity bathtub that fills from the ceiling.

L’Ermitage

This guest room at the L'Ermitage, with a large bed with white bedding and a balcony to the right that has city views

Some of the 116 suites come with balconies at L’Ermitage in Beverly Hills.

Courtesy of L’Ermitage

  • Neighborhood: Beverly Hills
  • Why we love it: Private club vibes and a short walk from Rodeo Drive
  • From $795
  • Book now

Some luxury hotels in Los Angeles go in and out of style, but the celebrated all-suite L’Ermitage endures by delivering privacy, clean-lined style, and world-class service. The year 2025 also marked the completion of several newly refreshed spaces across the property, including a sophisticated lobby lounge ideal for a morning espresso or nightcap, plus Costa Covo Osteria, an all-day coastal Italian restaurant.

The rooftop pool is both the highest pool in L.A. and the only one with 360-degree views of Beverly Hills. Also new to the property is the Arhaus Terrace, a collaboration with beloved interior brand Arhaus to bring a chic new space to life. Poza Lounge, which offers uninterrupted skyline views, offers fresh takes on California fare, like lobster rolls, sushi, and playful signature cocktails.

Children, too, are VIPs here, thanks to a full range of amenities, from kids’ menus to baby bathtubs. Even leaving this oasis and venturing into Beverly Hills can happen in style: The hotel offers free town car service within the neighborhood.

Malibu Beach Inn

A beige and blue king-size room with seating area next to large windows

Malibu Beach Inn is right on Malibu’s famous oceanfront.

Courtesy of Malibu Beach Inn

  • Neighborhood: Eastern Malibu, Malibu
  • Why we love it: Easy beach access and a laid-back vibe
  • Loyalty program: LHW Leaders Club
  • From $825
  • Book now

Hotels often say they’re “steps from the sand,” but here, it’s actually true. Location is everything at Malibu Beach Inn; it’s right on the water, with all of the 47 guest rooms and suites overlooking crashing surf from private balconies, and a few hundred yards from the historic pier. (The property was unaffected by wildfires in January 2025.) There are about eight steps from the hotel’s restaurant terrace to its private stretch of beach underneath, where guests can order a chicken club sandwich or a glass of wine from the extensive list to enjoy on loungers.

The hotel changed hands in 2015 and has since been reimagined by L.A.-based interior designer Waldo Fernandez; rooms and communal spaces alike feature purpose-built, handmade white oak furniture and furnishings that make clever use of space, like custom-built liquor shelves in a corner alcove. Across the hotel, artworks include prints by Donald Sultan and Jasper Johns.

The rooms are designed to evoke a private beach house. And as you drift off among Italian linens, lulled by the white noise of never-ending waves, it’s easy to dream. Even better, all guests get membership-level access to the neighboring Cure Wellness Center’s fitness and spa facilities, which include a sauna and cold plunge.

The Maybourne Beverly Hills

Spacious off-white California Suite, with modern furniture, several tall curtained windows, and wood floors

The California Suite at the Maybourne Beverly Hills

Courtesy of Kensington Leverne / Maybourne Beverly Hills

  • Neighborhood: Beverly Hills
  • Why we love it: European chic meets L.A. cosmopolitan
  • From $1,095
  • Book now

With an enviable location in the heart of Beverly Hills’ Golden Triangle, the Maybourne recently unveiled 205 redesigned guest rooms, including 57 suites, all offering an elegant L.A. sanctuary with wide, floor-to-ceiling windows.

The seven culinary experiences on property include the acclaimed rooftop restaurant, Dante Beverly Hills, offering aperitivo-style cocktails and a Mediterranean-inspired food menu centered around a wood-fired oven. Downstairs, the wood-wrapped Whisky Bar has the largest collection of Macallan in North America, while The Terrace has a European countryside vibe in a garden setting. Additionally, the hotel’s spa is one of Los Angeles’s largest. Plus, a rooftop pool has panoramic views of the nearby Hollywood Hills.

Nobu Ryokan Malibu

Wood-clad room with walls of windows on both sides, off-white sofa and two chairs on rug, and staircase in background

Nobu Ryokan Malibu allows guests to find their zen with beach views and teak soaking tubs.

Courtesy of Nobu Ryokan Malibu

  • Neighborhood: Eastern Malibu, Malibu
  • Why we love it: A ryokan-style hotel with Nobu room service
  • Loyalty program: Nobu Inner Circle
  • Contact the hotel for prices
  • Book now

The Japanese-inspired Nobu Ryokan Malibu, on the ocean just north of Los Angeles, sets the tone with its smooth teak exterior. An entrance gate leads to a garden where water flows over honey-colored rocks into a pond, and palm trees shade stone paths lined with black Japanese grass. The 16 guest rooms feature teak and Jerusalem limestone and linen. The art on the walls is original—a watercolor of sparrows in muted tones, a panel of delicately carved black lacquer depicting waves and leaves. The bathrooms have skylights, rain showers, and deep teak soaking tubs.

Hotel guests get first dibs on reservations at Nobu restaurant, two doors down. If that seems too far away, you can get Nobu food delivered to your room—perhaps scallop tiradito, salmon sashimi, and smoked duck with cherry and hibiscus. Another highlight of a stay here: Guests can rejuvenate with products from wellness technology brand HigherDose, including its Infrared PEMF Mat and Infrared Sauna Blanket.

Nobu has partnered with Surf Air to transport guests from various cities in California and Texas. Surf Air arranges flights on small planes out of regional airports. (If you’re coming from the Bay Area, for example, it’s a 90-minute flight.) A car in L.A. takes you 40 minutes north on the scenic Pacific Coast Highway.

1 Hotel West Hollywood

The rooftop patio at dusk, with umbrellas open over small rectangular tables for four

This Sunset Strip retreat blends high design with sustainable practices.

Courtesy of 1 Hotel West Hollywood

  • Neighborhood: Sunset Strip, West Hollywood
  • Why we love it: A biophilic retreat in a hip neighborhood
  • Loyalty program: Mission
  • From $500
  • Book now

After a brief stint as the Jeremy, this Sunset Strip property opened as L.A.’s first 1 Hotel in May 2019 with a strong focus on sustainability. When you drive up to the valet (which offers electric charging stations), you’ll be enveloped by a biophilic world of plants, reclaimed wood, and rough-hewn granite. The reception desk is made from a massive tree that fell in Mendocino, while the cozy lobby has wood and linen-covered furniture made locally by J. Alexander. Also on the ground floor: a farm stand with fresh produce for the taking; 1 Kitchen, led by chef Ginger Pierce, which serves sustainably sourced California cuisine; and Goodthings, a retail shop selling Earth + Element pottery, organic cotton clothing, and all-natural face serums and tonics.

The 285 rooms are decorated with earth tones, floor-to-ceiling windows, multiple plants in volcanic rock planters, and unfinished wooden wardrobes filled with hangers made from recycled paper. Guests can also enjoy extras like yoga mats, comfy cotton robes, and minibars stocked with kombucha and local snacks, plus candles with the hotel’s signature scent. Bathrooms have deep marble tubs and full-size bath products—no single-use plastics here. The heated pool features a plant-filled deck with plenty of loungers and views of downtown, while a fitness center (aka the Field House), a rooftop bar, and an organic garden with a beehive offer more places for guests to gather. For those looking to unwind, Bamford Wellness Spa offers a range of holistic treatments, including massages and facials.

Peninsula Beverly Hills

Pale gold interior of California Suite, with large sofa, lit lamps, and large pink pillows

The Peninsula Beverly Hills is known for its old-school glamour

Courtesy of the Peninsula Beverly Hills

  • Neighborhood: Beverly Hills
  • Why we love it: Top-notch hospitality on resort-like grounds
  • From $985
  • Book now

A grand hotel in the Old World tradition, the Peninsula Beverly Hills exudes luxury with its gilded chandeliers and wood-paneled walls. From the moment a white-gloved valet opens the oversize front doors, every guest is treated like royalty. The elegant marble bathrooms—larger than some apartments—feature both a soaking tub and a shower, plus the softest bathrobes imaginable. Guests can enjoy a leisurely alfresco breakfast on the rooftop alongside wheeling and dealing studio types before moving over to a poolside cabana for a few hours of basking and celebrity-spotting.

Don’t forget to squeeze in a spa treatment—the Peninsula Spa is the beauty and relaxation regimen of more than a few big names. The newest addition to the spa is the Hair Atelier by David Pierre, a private styling lounge offering haircuts, blowouts, and reparative hair and scalp treatments. Afternoon tea in the Living Room can’t be missed, thanks to the spread of scones and finger sandwiches, accompanied by live harp music. Even though the hotel is in the heart of Beverly Hills, with trendy shops and restaurants only blocks away, the hotel’s complimentary Rolls-Royce service can drop guests anywhere they need to go in the area.

Oceana Santa Monica, LXR Hotels & Resorts

A signature suite, with a separate living and bedroom area, at the Oceana Santa Monica

The Oceana Santa Monica is a suite-only hotel.

Courtesy of Oceana Santa Monica/Lisa Romerein

  • Neighborhood: Wilshire Montana, Santa Monica
  • Why we love it: Residential-feeling digs in a happening area
  • Loyalty program: Hilton Honors
  • From $950
  • Book now

With its world-famous pier, bustling beaches, and chill but lively nightlife scene that draws 8 million visitors annually, Santa Monica can be crowded in the summer high season. But not at Oceana Santa Monica. Set within the posh neighborhood of Wilshire Montana, the hotel is across the street from peaceful Palisades Park, dotted with fig and palm trees, alongside the Pacific Ocean. The lobby feels far from the hustle and bustle of the Santa Monica pier.

Formerly known as the Oceana Beach Club Hotel, the property debuted in 2019 after Hilton’s upscale LXR brand bought it and gave it a $25 million transformation. The 70 apartment-style guest rooms—most featuring ocean views—surround a heart-shaped pool. Each suite has a separate living room and bedroom, Loro Piana bedding, large bathrooms, and walk-in closets. The two-bedroom suites have en suite kitchens and balconies. The interior design, by Anna Busta of Busta Studio, includes moody blue couches and gold and wood accents.

Although Santa Monica’s dynamic culinary scene sets a high bar, Oceana Santa Monica’s Sandpiper stands up. Seafood-forward menu items include chilled prawns served with summer melons, pan-roasted sheepshead fish with littleneck clams, and chopped salads. Pair your meal with a house cocktail like the gin-based Stan Laurel (named after the actor of Laurel and Hardy fame who once called the Oceana home).

Regent Santa Monica

A guest room, with white-on-white interior, a curved sofa, and a pair of tall windows through which is a view of the Pacific Ocean

A guest room at the Regent Santa Monica

Photo by Tanveer Badal Photography

  • Neighborhood: Santa Monica
  • Why we love it: Coastal comfort at the epicenter of the action
  • Loyalty program: IHG One Rewards
  • From $1,100
  • Book now

The last time the Regent brand was in Los Angeles, it was at the Regent Beverly Wilshire (now a Four Seasons) and had a starring role in 1990’s Pretty Woman. But how does the newly opened Regent Santa Monica Beach stack up—and stand out—in 2024 in a place with no shortage of alluring oceanfront hotels?

First, location, location, location. The back of the hotel abuts the famous Muscle Beach workout space near the even more famous pier. It’s hard to get closer to the quintessence of Santa Monica without riding the roller coaster. Occupying an entire city block, over some 116,000 square feet, in a former Loews hotel, the Regent has been reimagined and retouched to the tune of $150 million.

Second, the attention to detail. Throughout the hotel, furnishings and service are of a quality you’d expect from the Regent brand, a member of IHG Hotels and Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio. TV remotes are enclosed in leather boxes embossed with that signature R. Personal “experience managers” are only a text away for any requests, and rooms can be stocked with the food and drink you like—and can be set to your required temperature—before arrival. This is available to all guests, and it’s complimentary. Read Afar’s full review of the Regent Santa Monica.

The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles

Interior of guest bedroom with a city view at the Ritz Carlton Los Angeles

The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles is home to not just one, but two Wolfgang Puck restaurants.

Courtesy of the the Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles

  • Neighborhood: South Park, Downtown Los Angeles
  • Why we love it: Superlative service with some of the best views in the city
  • Loyalty program: Marriott Bonvoy
  • From $980
  • Book now

The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles occupies the top four floors of a 26-story, LEED-certified tower in downtown L.A. Here, every room, restaurant, fitness machine, and rooftop poolside lounger has unparalleled panoramic views of the Los Angeles basin. That alone would be enough to rest on, but this is the Ritz-Carlton, so the hotel is also home to an Argentine-inspired steakhouse, a restaurant centered on Mexican and Peruvian coastal cuisine, one seriously decadent spa, and sleek, modern guest rooms with everything you’d expect from the classic luxury brand.

Because the hotel sits at the heart of the entertainment-residential complex L.A. Live, the best of downtown’s entertainment is literally at guests’ feet, with the Staples Center, Microsoft Theater (formerly Nokia Theatre), Grammy Museum, and loads of restaurants and shops right there. Outdoor movies and concerts, red-carpet events, and sports events happen here often; if you don’t have tickets, just ask the concierge.

Santa Monica Proper Hotel

A neutral-toned pool deck with tile-topped table, stone floors, and wooden chairs with beige cushions

The pool deck at the Santa Monica Proper Hotel

Courtesy of Santa Monica Proper Hotel

  • Neighborhood: Downtown Santa Monica
  • Why we love it: High-design meets ocean views
  • Loyalty program: Marriott Bonvoy
  • From $569
  • Book now

The Santa Monica Proper Hotel exudes a chic and modern style, with visionary designer Kelly Wearstler taking cues, motifs, and hues from the city’s history to create a contemporary oasis. Among the 267 guest rooms and suites, you won’t find a sharp corner; clean and curvaceous lines marry organic textures and bold neutrals. The lobby lounge and restaurant, Palma, is effortlessly stylish and versatile too. During the day, guests and locals alike are found coworking in the library-like space, and in the evening, the vibe transitions to more of a buzzy affair.

On the roof, guests can soak in the panoramic views while lounging poolside. Calabra, the rooftop bar and restaurant, serves Mediterranean and California cuisine by executive chef Sonnie Gomez. The Proper is a few blocks from the beach, but you can still spot the ocean in the distance (along with memorable sunsets). Boards and bikes are at the ready for a surf or a ride. Afterwards, Ayurvedic facials and scrubs are beckoning at the 3,000-square-foot Surya Spa.

Shutters on the Beach

The stretch of Santa Monica closest to Shutters on the Beach

Shutters on the Beach is steps away from the sand in Santa Monica.

Courtesy of Shutters on the Beach

  • Neighborhood: Ocean Park, Santa Monica
  • Why we love it: Cape Cod-inspired architecture, ocean views, and laid-back luxury
  • Loyalty program: I Prefer Hotel Rewards
  • From $750
  • Book now

There’s a lot that makes Shutters on the Beach special, starting with its location; it’s one of only a handful of Santa Monica hotels right on the beach. Shutter’s waterfront spot gives it a palpable sense of place, especially when you’re sipping something sparkling on the terrace while listening to the waves. The design by White House decorator Michael S. Smith takes its cues from Cape Cod, with blue and white interiors and floor-to-ceiling shutters opening up to ocean views. In 2025, Shutters also unveiled its reimagined living room space designed by celebrated LA-based studio Nickey Kehoe.

The 198 guest rooms and suites—many with balconies—all feature sunken Jacuzzi tubs. In the summer, life revolves around the beach here, and an activity center is well-stocked with boogie boards, beach cruisers, and umbrellas. The pool is heated year-round, with curtained cabanas and superb guacamole served at the pool bar. Come winter, the main lounge is the heart of the resort. The fireplaces crackle as bartenders serve up drinks from a hearty whisky, wine, and cocktail menu; the couches are so comfy, the kiddos might curl up and fall asleep as the folksy duo on duty plays an acoustic nightcap. This is laid-back luxury at its best.

Don’t forget to spend some downtime at the serene One Spa, or dine on blue crab and hamachi crudo at the coastal California restaurant, 1 Pico. Pro tip: You don’t need to go far from your room for culture. The hotel has a noteworthy art collection, with pieces by Ellsworth Kelly, John Baldessari, and William Wegman, among others, on display throughout the property.

Terranea

An aerial overview of Terranea Resort

Terranea is set on 102-acres of lush land on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Courtesy of Terranea

  • Neighborhood: Rancho Palos Verdes
  • Why we love it: A luxurious oceanfront resort within driving distance of L.A.
  • From $733
  • Book now

On arrival at Terranea, it’s natural to release a big, tension-melting sigh. The resort occupies 102 acres along the bluffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, providing expansive views of the Pacific and a sense of spaciousness that’s rare in the city. The Mediterranean-style resort has 582 guest rooms and suites, including 50 residential-style casitas, 4 swimming pools (take the kids to the 140-foot waterslide at the Resort Pool), and an oceanfront golf course. In spring 2025, its upscale wellness-minded spa recently unveiled a $4.5 million refresh seamlessly blending modern luxury with the natural splendor of the Southern California coastline.

Pure pampering aside, regulars return in part for access to dozens of postcard-pretty hiking trails, including a naturalist-led walk. (There’s also a falconry and stargazing program.) The resort’s eight restaurants can meet virtually any craving that hits, but the scallops with cauliflower puree at Mar’sel should be nonnegotiable. Pro tip: Book a visit in December or January to watch the sun rise and set from the same vantage point—and maybe even spot some humpback whales.

The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

The curvy, palm-tree-lined exterior of the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills has an art deco–influenced design.

Courtesy of The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

  • Neighborhood: Beverly Hills
  • Why we love it: Spacious rooms and art deco design
  • Loyalty program: Hilton Honors
  • From $1,095
  • Book now

While it’s not on Rodeo Drive, the Waldorf Astoria’s West Coast outpost is as centrally located in Beverly Hills as it gets. Even better, the 119 guest rooms and 51 suites are all incredibly spacious; the smallest accommodation measures 630 square feet. They sport an art deco–influenced design by the renowned Pierre-Yves Rochon (who also is behind the newly reimagined Waldorf Astoria New York, debuting in the fall of 2025).

The hotel is home to a La Prairie Spa, one of two in the entire country. However, perhaps the crown jewel of the Waldorf is the rooftop pool with panoramic views. On a clear day, you can see from downtown to Santa Monica. Next to the pool is prime people-watching at The Rooftop Beverly Hills, a go-to for an alfresco lunch. In the evening, the venue turns into a scene. One of the more unique benefits is that guests who book one of the 51 suites receive a complimentary high-performance luxury car during their stay.

This story was originally published in 2023 and was most recently was updated in June 2025 with new information. Tim Chester, Mae Hamilton, Laura Dannen Redman, Kate Thorman, Kelly Dawson, Kathryn Romeyn, Jeremy Saum, and Devorah Lev-Tov contributed to the reporting of this story.

Chris Dong is a freelance travel writer and editor with a focus on timely travel trends, points and miles, hot new hotels, and all things that go (he’s a proud aviation geek and transit nerd).
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