Somewhere to rest your head is well and good – don’t get me wrong – but because accommodation can be an expensive exercise while on holidays, it’s a good idea to get something with a little cherry on top.
So with that in mind, keep reading for A+ hotels in Los Angeles offering a little bit more than just a pillow and fresh sheets – you know, rooftop bars, pools, restaurants, history, onsite clubs and convenient locations.
Only the best for you lot.
DOWNTOWN LA:
Known fondly as Hotel Fig, this Moroccan-themed accommodation reopened in early 2018 and has it all – seriously, it has a club, pool, restaurant, garden roof, three bars and more. What makes it so special, though? It has a whole slice of feminist history, something the hotel stays true to today.
You see, it opened in the 1920s as a safe haven for female travellers (men were only allowed on the third and fourth floors, which women did not stay on) as hotels weren’t safe for single women at the time – be it physically or from a reputation point of view. Now? The hotel continues to pay homage to its roots, from featuring female artists and photographers within the building, right through to toiletry consignments with female-owned businesses and a triangle carving throughout the walls – a symbol of female power.
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Freehand Los Angeles transformed the 1924 Commercial Exchange Building (which – fun fact – was where Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs had his publishing headquarters).
As of 2017, it’s now a 13-story building that’s home to over 226 rooms, including dormitory-style options where you can buy one of up to eight beds. Think hostel vibes but chic. There’s even a retail offering with an inbuilt concept store by Venice‘s Flowerboy Project, as well as a rooftop pool and lounge called Broken Shaker that gets so busy it has to turn people away.
Look, I’d line up for the floating pink flamingos and all-round vibes too. It’s colourful, fun and just plain inviting.
ACE HOTEL
Ace Hotel is home to the famous United Artist Theatre, and its ground-floor restaurant is a nod to the first film screened there, Best Girl, back in 1927.
Later used as a church, the architecture and history of Ace Hotel is what continues to make it uniquely cool with it’s Spanish-gothic flair. It’s not a bad backdrop for its heated rooftop pool either, and yes, this is where you’ll find the neon “JESUS SAVES” sign.
HOLLYWOOD:
The entire experience at Dream Hotel aka ~the place to be~ is 11/10 boujee. It’s home to a 24-hour Gunnar Peterson gym (trainer to the Kardashians), blow dry bar and modelling agency, not to mention the rooftop pool, restaurant and lounge, dubbed The Highlight Room, with sweeping views of Hollywood Hills. The latter is a bucket list LA experience anyway, so voila, bang for le buck.
On top of all that, you’re just a street away from Hollywood Blvd and the hottest nightlife destinations like No Vacancy. In an area like LA where everything’s quite spread out, convenient locations are unbeatable.
Mama Shelter is all kinds of cool, but not too cool where you feel like you don’t fit in (trust me, this is something I worry about all the time). It makes you feel right at home instantly – Mama invies you in with open arms.
Aside from being a v. trendy boutique hotel to reside in while visiting LA, it’s lobby also doubles as a chilled restaurant and bar, complete with a pool table and a chalkboard ceiling. The real beauty, however, lies within its rooftop – it’s one of the most popular destinations in LA, filled with colourful umbrellas, lounging spots and a breathtaking view ft. the Hollywood sign. I recommend getting there early for a 10/10 sunset and ordering the truffle fries.
Even if you’re not staying there you can stop in after checking out TCL Chinese Theatre and Hollywood’s Walk of Fame – it’s literal steps away.
