Hotels Vs Vacation Rentals In Los Angeles: Which To Choose
One thing I do want to touch on is vacation rentals in LA.
If you didnt already know, Los Angeles is in the midst of a full-fledged housing crisis, and while I wouldnt point to vacation rentals as the primary cause, theyre certainly a contributing factor.
I have mixed feelings about staying in vacation rentals in cities.
On one hand, as a traveler who has Celiac Disease and usually needs access to a kitchen, they are a godsend that has allowed me to travel to places that just would not have been easy to visit if I had to stay in a hotel, where I MIGHT get a mini-fridge.
On the other hand, in cities where theres a housing crisis driven by a lack of supply and surging demand , vacation rentals contributes to the problem by taking long term rental units off the market, since the landlord can usually make more money by renting it out for a weekend at a time.
There are certainly pros and cons to staying in vacation rentals. To be a responsible traveler in LA, our recommendation would be to choose hotels in Los Angeles. There are tons of great hotels, so youll have no problem finding an amazing place to stay.
Where To Stay In Los Angeles For The First Time:
Whenever you visit a city for the first time, it can be hard to envision the size, the layout, and how long it takes to get from one side to the other. Los Angeles is a huge city, and unlike New York, it doesnt have an exceptional public transport system to cut through the citys often maddening traffic. With that said, Downtown LA provides the most amount of flexibility in terms of seeing other parts of Los Angeles. If you want to do nothing but chase city highlights for multiple days, then Hollywood is the place to go. Likewise, for the sun and ocean, Santa Monica is calling your name.
The Hotel Casa Del Mar Santa Monica
The Hotel Casa del Mar offers condo-style accommodation in a smaller-style resort form.
Its located right on the beach with most suites looking out right over the beach.
Theres a lot to see right around the Casa del Mar, or kids can enjoy streaming Netflix and ordering something off the room service menu.
Of course, the pool offers a great added extra.
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Where To Stay In Santa Monica Venice And Malibu
For many Angelenos, Santa Monica represents the impossible dream a low-key, tolerant beachside town with a relaxed air and easy access to the rest of the city.
Set along a white-sand beach and home to some of LAs finest stores, restaurants and galleries, this small community is friendly and liberal a compact, accessible bastion of oceanside charm.
Immediately south lies quirky Venice, where youll find an eccentric mix of skaters, street acts, buskers and more. Gentrification has had an impact, but theres still an edgy feel in some areas.
Malibu, to the north, has long been immortalised in surfing movies and is perfect for soaking up beach culture, with its ramshackle surf shops and fast-food stands along the Pacific Coast Highway .
Best for a bed back from the beach: Ambrose
The best choice for inland Santa Monica, with Arts and Crafts-styled decor and boutique rooms.
Best for a romantic getaway: Channel Road Inn
The B& B rooms here are nestled in lower Santa Monica Canyon , with ocean views, a hot tub and free bike rentals.
Best for Venice Beach:The Kinney
Located 0.9 miles away from Venice Beach, this California hotel has great style and offers bicycle rentals, an outdoor area with a fire pit, ping pong tables, and an outdoor heated pool.
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Is It Safe To Stay In Downtown La
It is safe to stay in downtown LA, especially if you choose a quality hotel. Hotels in downtown LA, including all of the places mentioned in this guide, put a lot of focus on security. Travelers are well-advised to be cautious and practice common sense when visiting downtown LA.
Check out our article Is Long Beach Safe? for more great safety tips that are also useful in Los Angeles.
Overall, no other place can match the eclectic, alluring energy of Los Angeles. Whatever style of travel suits you best, its on offer here. With a complimentary side of sunshine.
If you didnt spy your ideal LA excursion in this introductory guide, it is no doubt tucked away in one of those other 19 neighborhoods. Check out my list of things to do in LA for more inspiration.
Interested in more of sun-soaked Southern California? Check out our Ultimate San Diego Travel Guide.
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Beverly Hills: Legendary Neighborhood
You certainly know Beverly Hills by name. This legendary neighborhood is one of the best areas to stay in Los Angeles. Accommodation rates in Beverly Hills remain, however, among the highest in Los Angeles.
Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel: this 5-star hotel offers a magnificent setting for a stay in Los Angeles as a couple or with the family. You will love your trip!
Where To Stay In Los Angeles: The 5 Best Areas To Stay In La
Here are five great neighborhoods to consider staying in for your trip. For each, youll get an overview, the pros and cons of staying in that particular area, what to do, eat, and drink in the neighborhood, and a few of the best places to stay.
Dont have the time to read the entire guide in detail below?
Heres a quick run-down of the top three areas to stay in Los Angeles, depending on the type of traveler you are. You should definitely at least read the entire section for your chosen neighborhood though!
Essentially, the first decision you need to make around where to stay in L.A. is whether you want to be close to the beach or not. It takes A LONG TIME to go from one side of L.A. to the other . Especially when theres traffic.
If staying near the beach is a must, stay in Santa Monica. If its not, you have a few more options to choose from.
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Hilton Los Angeles/universal City
Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City is yet another one of the best hotels in Los Angeles for families. Youll receive a digital key to access your room. The hotel also provides a concierge to help you find attractions and food nearby.
But you dont have to leave the hotel since it has restaurants, a pool, and other amenities. You can stay in a regular room or suite to ensure you have plenty of room for your family. Plus, you are right next to Universal City Walk and Universal Studios.
The Beverly Hills Hotel In Beverly Hills
The Beverly Hills Hotel offers large and comfortable suites with one or several bedroom options and more than enough space even for larger groups.
Kids are welcomed with free cookies, and from there they can order from the special kids room service menu of course, room service is available 24/7, and theres access to a pool and shuttle service that offers tours.
Its one of my favorite luxury family hotels in Los Angeles that doesnt get too busy or crowded during peak-months.
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Westwood Nice Place To Stay In Los Angeles For Backpackers
Westwood is a bustling hub where Los Angeles culture and the rest of the world intertwine to create an amazing place for shopping, dining and entertainment.
Much of Westwoods personality is owed to the fact that it is home to the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles .
One of the most distinctly Westwood experiences you can have is to catch a flick at the famed Fox Theater. Dating back to the 1930s, the theater has hosted many iconic movie premiers throughout the years.
Dont be surprised to see a red carpet rolled out if you happen to pass the theater on a weekend. Art lovers have every reason to visit Westwoods Hammer Museum. This free museum features an impeccably curated collection featuring works by Degas and Monet.
While on a museum spree, hit the Fowler Museum within the UCLA campus to see eclectic, world-class exhibits from artists throughout Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Some of Westwoods other notable attractions include the Murphy Sculpture Garden, the Geffen Playhouse, the Thursday Farmers Market on Broxton, the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens and the Planetarium at UCLA.
Of course, you cant tour the neighborhoods around UCLA without lining up along with students, faculty and locals to enjoy a world-famous ice-cream sandwich from iconic Diddy Riese.
You can also jump on Los Angeles Metro lines 2, 20, 302 and 305. Westwoods college town vibe makes it a less intimidating place to stay than some of the citys Hollywood-centric parts.
The Best Hotels In Santa Monica:
Hotel Shangri-La
Views of the Pacific or downtown Santa Monica, plus lavishly appointed rooms make a stay at Hotel Shangri-La a great way to experience the city. The hotel’s maritime style is designed to emulate an ocean liner’s first-class staterooms.
1301 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, 394-2791, shangrila-hotel.com
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
Set on manicured grounds, this hotel offers 297 guestrooms, 54 of which are suites, and 31 modern bungalows. The hotel boasts the most ocean view rooms in Santa Monica and outstanding restaurant, FIG.
101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310 576 7777, fairmont.com
To book: expedia.com
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
The Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel boasts a heated ocean view pool, 347 luxurious guestrooms, including 21 suites, and a full-service spa as well as a popular seafood restaurant.
1700 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, 458-6700, loewshotels.com
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Pros And Cons Of Staying In Beverly Hills And Westside
- Some of the city’s best hotels are here, but they are very expensive. However, you can also find moderately-priced places to stay, so don’t dismiss it just because you don’t have a movie star’s budget.
- Conveniently located if you want to visit some of the best museums in Los Angeles, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Getty Museum. Also convenient for events at UCLA.
- Central location but not close to freeways.
- One of the prettiest parts of Los Angeles, surrounded by high-end shops and elegant homes.
The Great Wolf Lodge Garden Grove
What tot doesn’t love a gigantic indoor water park? Located in close proximity to Disneyland and other major attractions, the Great Wolf Lodge is a theme park in its own right. The list of things to do here is nearly endlesskids may even forget about Mickey and Minnie. Besides the indoor water park with 14 slides and four pools, there’s a craft station, a bowling alley, an arcade, glow-in-the-dark mini-golf, and fun activities like a magical interactive treasure hunt game, storytime, and nightly PJ dance parties. The hotel boasts several dining and shopping options, a kids’ spa, and a fitness center. What’s in it for the parents? Endless smiles and a sweet deal: if you stay for two nights, you get one-day tickets to Disneyland Resort and three days of free water park passes.
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Where To Stay In Hollywood
Ever since movies and their stars became international symbols of the good life, Hollywood has been a magnet to millions of tourists and an equal number of hopefuls drawn by the prospect of riches and glory.
In reality, this was a densely populated, low-income residential neighbourhood, and movie stars actually spent little time here leaving as soon as they could afford to for the privacy of the hills or coast.
Things have brightened up in the past few years, with the construction of new tourist plazas and shopping malls. The contrasting qualities of freshly polished nostalgia, corporate hype and deep-set seediness today make Hollywood one of LAs most diverse areas and one of its best spots for bar-hopping and clubbing.
Best for a quirky stay: Hollywood Bed & BreakfastThis B& B is set in a 1912 home that looks a little like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. Its close to all the action with four cosy rooms and a small pool.
Best for modern simplicity:Magic Castle Hotel
Justly popular hotel boasting rooms and suites in a neat, modern style with heated pool and free soda, candy and cookies 24 hours a day.
Dont Forget Travel Insurance For La
Its good to get lost sometimes, but its also good not to get too lost. There are people that want you home in one piece.
Theres one travel insurance provider The Broke Backpacker trusts for all his wildest shenanigans World Nomads!
And then let the shenanigans begin.
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Pasadena: A Good Balance Of Art And Fun
Pasadena is an interesting city where you can stay and feel safe and at ease. It is not a neighborhood but an actual city in Los Angeles County and there are very picturesque, artistic, and cultural areas, with many spaces suitable to host events as well as boutiques for shopping and leisure .
People often overlook Pasadena when they look for accommodations, because they think that it is a little far from the main attractions of L.A., but in reality, the area is on the outskirts of the city and the attractions in L.A. are easily accessible by metro. If you are traveling by car, then Hollywood and Universal Studios will only be a short drive away . I recommend:
- Hotel Constance Pasadena: The style of this attractive hotel harmoniously mixes ancient and modern influences. Equipped with every imaginable comfort, dusitD2 boasts a quiet location far from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.
- Rose & Crown Hotel: simple but very good 3-star hotel with spacious and well-kept rooms. Here you can save money which would be impossible elsewhere in Los Angeles and have the opportunity to take a stroll to the historic district of Pasadena.
Find accommodations in Pasadena
Best Hostel In Hollywood: Orange Drive Hostel
This Hollywood hostel benefits from an amazing location. Its close to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sunset Boulevard and Hollywoods top restaurants. It has a full kitchen, and modern common room, and each stay includes free breakfast. Enjoy a relaxing environment just a few steps from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood.
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The Garland Studio City
If you’re visiting Universal Studios and looking for something a little smaller and laid back than the Hilton, The Garland is your best bet. This kid-friendly, locally-owned hotel has a shuttle to the theme park. When you’re not at the park, be sure to grab a bite to eat at The Front Yard, a great outdoor restaurant right next door. The hotel has rooms that are specifically designed for guests with children, and some even have bunk bedsand even more important, two TVs so everyone can watch what they want!
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- midrange
- Hotel Angeleno Set in a unique tower of a building, Hotel Angeleno boasts rooms shaped like slices of pie, making for a different room arrangement! The decor is simple but stylish, with a mature, natural color palette. In terms of amenities, theres a heated outdoor pool, and on the top floor, guests will find a restaurant that boasts not only locally sourced ingredients, but incredible views of the glittering city at night.
- Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel This 4-star lodging boasts not just a high-end restaurant, but also a fancy cocktail bar here, you will have your evenings completely planned out in a sleek, stylish setting. Theres also a chic pool surrounded by white draped cabanas, and the rooms are just as elegant in a muted, neutral way. Located just off the San Diego Freeway, getting out and about on road trips from here is relatively simple.
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Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown
Have an unforgettable stay at the high-rising, luxury hotel with an extravagant 70th floor sky lobby.
The majestic steel and glass beauty has a remarkable architecture towering almost 1100 feet above the street level.
The convenient Downtown location opens up the best of Beverly Hills with a variety of shopping options and main attractions.
Enjoy sweeping skyline of the city from the glass windows amidst a sophisticated and cozy layout.
The most visited area of the hotel is its chic rooftop bar to party through the night, or enjoy amazing views unparalleled in their beauty.
Enjoy the on-site dining with your family at the French style steakhouse, a cozy sushi place or a contemporary eatery with fresh farm produce.
- Guest Rating: 8.8
Long Beach: Young And Energetic
Long Beach is one of the beaches of Los Angeles most suitable for young people, since it combines the attractions of an important city with the vitality brought by the students of the nearby university, not to mention the long beach, which is a place suitable for practicing any type of beach or water sport.
The central area around Pine Avenue, which has many shops and restored homes, is a pleasant place to stay and is also well connected to downtown Los Angeles via the Blue Line. Long Beachs 2 main attractions are the Queen Mary, a 1930s flagship docked in the bay and transformed into a charming art deco hotel, and the Aquarium of the Pacific, which has a stunning display of marine life from around the world.
Another of Long Beachs main advantages is its proximity to Disneyland Park, which is just 40 minutes away. If you are interested in staying close to Disneyland Park, continue reading and you will find a paragraph about this. Here are some tips on where to find accommodations in the area:
Find accommodations in Long Beach
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