Top 20 Cool and Unique Hotels in Los Angeles 2023

Stylish and smart and towering above the fashionable Sunset Strip, this chic 4-star exceptionally rated hotel is ideally located to explore this fabulous city. 

Originally opened in the 1960s where it was the preferred hotel du residence of the rock ‘n’ roll set throughout the 60s and 70s. Led Zeppelin once stayed at The Andaz Hotel and it has been the setting for numerous films, so begin your own Hollywood story by spending some time in this award-winning hotel.

The hip Los Angeles hotel hasn’t forgotten its rock ‘n’ roll past, with art installations honoring its famous history. The rooftop pool is also a must for both a swim and panoramic views (as well as fabulous sunsets of course).

During the summer, talented DJs will help you rock that LA vibe and lucky guests can enjoy evening wine tastings, eclectic dining, and fusion fare while also finding themselves within walking distance of iconic clubs like The Viper Room, Whiskey A Go-Go and Rainbow Room.

Alternatively, just enjoy a signature cocktail at the aptly named hotel bar – The Riot Room! An LA institution and a seriously cool place to stay in the city!

The exceptionally rated The Kinney Hotel is a way to stay in a hotel while feeling like you are living like a LA local. The Venice Beach located hotel has guest rooms and crash pad suites all arranged around The Quad, an open-air courtyard complete with a fire pit, sun loungers, a hot tub, and even ping pong tables.

Start the day at the Breakfast Club, with made-to-order breakfasts then head to the beach.

Other highlights at this trendsetting Los Angeles abode include a heated dipping pool, a spa, on-site beach cruiser rentals, a fitness center, and a bar top.

As well as fabulous decor, the bright and funky guest rooms offer Wi-Fi, CO Bigelow bath amenities and the trendy crash pad suites are ideal for larger groups. You won’t want to leave!

If you love cool and funky hotels then you’ll totally fall for the 4-star exceptionally rated Freehand Hotel. Housed in the former Commercial Exchange in downtown LA (an 8-minute walk from the nearest metro station), it truly is a one-of-a-kind hotel.

This 1920s icon has been transformed into a fun and sociable hotel/hostel with a mix of shared or private rooms all with a cool retro/chic styling.

The unique LA accommodation experience offers a chance to meet like-minded guests as well as room service, a convenient valet, and an attentive bellman. There’s free Wi-Fi and a guest lounge as well as The Exchange, a modern American/Israeli restaurant and Broken Shaker, the ultra-hip rooftop bar.

There’s even a coffee bar in the hotel for that morning fix. And if you love cocktails, then check out Rudolph’s Bar and Tea where you can get tea-infused cocktails and a full tea service! One of the most popular hotels in Los Angeles, and with good reason!

In continuous operation since the 1920s, the elegant Revival-style Pailhouse brings a little of the sumptuous French Riviera to the American West Coast. The 4-star exceptionally rated Palihouse operates on the philosophy that in order to live a life well-traveled it must be made up of unique experiences, therefore they aim to place their property at the center of that ethos.

In 2001, the European vintage chic all-suite hotel was designated a Santa Monica Historic Landmark owing to its meticulously maintained lush courtyard and ornamental façade.

These coupled with a cool clubhouse feel and uniquely decorated rooms, ensures it provides an inspiring and sophisticated experience in keeping with its mantra.

Colorful, spacious, and with enough quirkiness to keep things interesting, it’s a beautiful Los Angeles gem of a hotel!

Designed by acclaimed Parisian designer Theirry Gaugin, the wonderfully off-the-wall highly rated Mama Shelter Los Angeles  sells itself as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and as something totally different to anything you’ve experienced before in LA. Considering the competition, that’s a very high bar to set!

However, this hip and trendy Los Angeles stay will not disappoint, as well as outrageously funky decor it boasts 360 views from the rooftop terrace, including a spectacular view of the iconic Hollywood sign, proximity to the Chinese Theatre and bustling Hollywood Boulevard.

Just like any good mama’s house, the hotel will shelter you from the urban street madness, offering great food and plenty of facilities to recharge your batteries – literal and metaphorical.

The cool hotel sits comfortably in the ever-changing landscape of LA and is unshackled by it – a true arty icon in the American City of Lights!

Colorful, vibrant murals, the lobby fireplace, bespoke artwork and a sumptuous pool with jewel lights, palm trees and sweeping views are the highlights of the new Tommie Hollywood LA .

It’s close to all the major Hollywood attractions, including the Walk of Fame, the Dolby Theatre, and the museums, vintage shops, wine bars, food markets, hiking trails, and the beach.

The rooms are marvels of luxury and simplicity, with comfortable beds, calm, natural earth colors, work-from-home floating desks and local artwork. Beverly Hills celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson and a rooftop pool with some cool murals design a gym.

In a city known for its creativity, you can expect no less from the food, and at Kateen by  Angeleno native chef Wes Avila you’ll find cuisine inspired by the ancient Malayan city of Tulum and outdoor seating among palm trees, with the city lights laid out before you.

The rooftop bar at Desert 5 Spot with wood beams and paneling, tapestry throw pillows and flourishing cactus plants evokes another side of California – the luxury of Palm Springs among vintage motels and the ultimate road trip. Along with drinks and food baskets, there are live performances and a weekend DJ.

Downtown Los Angeles Proper Hotel is a design destination in itself, thanks to the stunning interiors inspired by Mexican modern with touches of France and Morocco.

From the intricate Mexican folk art-style paintings in the lobby, guarded by two cacti at the entrance, to the swimming pool in the living room of the presidential suite, it preserves the spirit of Old Hollywood in a style Cecil B. DeMille would have approved of.

The landmark 1920s building is walking distance to the convention center, L.A. Live, Walt Disney Concert Hall, MOCA, The Broad Museum and the boutiques, bars and restaurants for which downtown LA is famous.

Artwork by local artists accents the guest rooms, which have Italian bed linens and large windows with city views. There’s also a rooftop pool, two restaurants by James Beard Award-winning Chef Suzanne Goin, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

A sleek four-star hotel with views of the famous Hollywood sign, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood is where midwestern hospitality meets contemporary Hollywood style and glamor.

Located in the up-and-coming Vinyl District with its music industry associations, it’s close to Sunset Boulevard, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, CNN Tower, plus shopping and entertainment.

The art deco style is highly Instagrammable, especially the I | O Rooftop with amazing views, a pool and bar, and the stunning geometric stained glass wall. Curated artwork decorates the rooms as well as public spaces.

Many of the rooms also have views of the hills, while others overlook the city or the green courtyard at the center of the building. The retro-chic style offers a contemporary take on sophisticated luxury, with all conveniences like Wi-Fi, soft linens, 55” HDTV with Google Chromecast, and Bluetooth charging stations.

The ground floor restaurant and bar ALK (About Last Knife) features quirky decor and a SoCal menu with fresh local produce.

A stay at Petit Ermitage Los Angeles is like a visit to a villa owned by a very rich friend, a villa with an extensive art collection including original works by Miró, De Kooning, Rauschenberg, and Dali, European antiques, hand-woven Turkish carpets, and delightful surprises like The Butterfly Bar where you can sip a drink as you take in the panoramic view of the Hollywood Hills.

All of this and more awaits at Petit Ermitage, a sanctuary of bohemian luxury in West Hollywood, located close to attractions like the Rose Bowl, the Getty Museum, Sunset Strip, Melrose Avenue and world-class dining and entertainment.

Or you could choose to stay in and relax at The Rooftop, which has a heated saltwater swimming pool, cabanas, and California-style fusion cuisine at The Garden, which doubles as a sanctuary for hummingbirds and butterflies, or head to the Master’s Lounge for drinks and entertainment.

The rooms and suites are all unique, with selected artwork, ornate bed linens, fireplaces, comfy chairs and potted plants to make you feel at home, and some have private balconies.

The cool, hip vibe of this citizenM Los Angeles Downtown is the perfect match for its downtown Los Angeles location, close to the fashion, toy, art and financial districts.

Designed in collaboration with the Amsterdam studio concrete, the colorful lobby is full of details like a large mural by German-born, Los Angeles-based visual artist Friedrich Kunath, pop art, shelves full of books, objets d’art and whimsical decor.

The rooms are a quiet counterpoint, furnished with king beds, soft Italian linens, and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the city.

Rainforest showers, smart TV, lighting, temperature and blackout blinds all make for a comfortable stay, and you can pick up snacks and drinks at the 24/7 canteenM in the lobby.

The unique Hotel Erwin is one of the trendiest accommodation offerings along LA’s famous Venice Beach Boardwalk.

Perfectly reflecting the cool and laid-back Venice beach vibe, the 4-star, and much-loved contemporary Los Angeles accommodation is both reasonably priced (well for a central beach location anyway) and boasts a decor that’s not afraid to be different.

Downstairs you’ll find a restaurant called The OtheЯside which pays homage to Jim Morrison and the Doors and the highest rooftop lounge on the boardwalk named ‘High’ – clever indeed!

Guest rooms have colorful and bright designer schemes adorned with contemporary art and a typical Californian retro-chic style as well as Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. A very hip LA hotel perfect for free spirits aching for a bit of ocean action!

Effortlessly cool and boasting stunning views of LA, the 4-star highly-rated The Line Hotel embodies everything LA has become synonymous with – chic and vibrant.

The 1960s building has been given a wonderfully hip industrial-chic revamp by designer Sean Knibb to slot seamlessly into the downtown Korea Town vibe.

The eclectic LA hotel offers something for every traveler’s needs; sumptuous dishes created by Roy Choi, a shop curated by design duo Poketo which offers workshops ranging from sushi making to meditation, and because of Korea Town’s 24-hour renowned culture – the nightlife offers a stellar nightlife experience.

If you opt for a stay at The Line Hotel, be prepared for a multi-layered, truly urban LA experience!

The Ace Hotel is where all the hipsters hang out whenever they’re in town. This 4-star exceptionally rated and very cool LA hotel is always effortlessly trendy (without trying too hard either – which is quite an accomplishment)! It opened its doors early 2014 and is housed in the historic United Artists building in Downtown LA. An ornate, storied and vibrant Los Angeles gem, Downtown is undergoing a renaissance.

Built in 1927 for the maverick film studio, the UA theatre and tower stand as monuments to a group of seminal American artists pushing out on their own.

A fabulous hipster-meets-LA Noir party palace, the ornate building oozes a vibrant history and stands alone as a true diamond within the LA story.

The creative and arty hotel offers a variety of room options from fabulous adjoining terraces (to keep an eye on LA life) to large suites and loft spaces.

Every inch of the hotel is carefully designed and curated with art pieces representing its history-making it a true temple of the arts. A stay here will inspire, fill you with awe, and offer a Los Angeles cultural experience like no other!

This 33-room boutique hotel in the trendy Melrose Shopping District is close to Pacific Design Center, CBS Studios, The Grove, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Center and the Sunset Strip.

Designed to feel like a homely inn, the quirky, eclectic interiors have dark wood paneling, random portraits, bookshelves and whimsical vintage accents.

In the rooms at Palihotel Melrose you’ll find comfortable custom-made beds with plush headboards, luxury linens, 43″ HDTVs, tufted floral sofas, fully stocked minibars, intriguing art, and decor touches that evoke nostalgia for a misplaced past.

Some suites have private terraces and balconies. The Blue Daisy Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner along with craft cocktails and a selection of wines and beer.

The highly-rated 4-star AirVenice takes a historic, early 20th-century building and turns it into a modern and fresh swish hotel with great amenities.

It is located right on the Venice Beach boardwalk so that you can watch the incredible sunset from your room – this trendy Los Angeles hotel is all about the seriously lush views!

The designer furnishings make the bright, stylish rooms very comfortable with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and a coffee maker as well as an onsite contemporary restaurant with a bar serving Italian fare.

 The suites are ideal for vacations and even as short-term housing if you need to be in the area for a while or love to be beside the beach.

The location also means you are ideally placed to explore the area, and downtown Santa Monica is less than three miles away – a very popular place to stay in LA and rightly so!

The super creative European hotel brand has now opened its LA version in a buzzy spot in DownTown Los Angeles. There’s a relaxed sophisticated club-style vibe at the Hoxton Hotel Downtown. The design is cool and trendy with retro/vintage touches – think “beachy California meets old-school Hollywood glamour”.

The decor in the unique guest rooms includes chevron wood floors, statement headboards, and Oaxacan-style rugs, and the majority of the trendy vintage furniture is sourced locally.

Other stand-out amenities include two chic restaurants, complimentary loaner bikes, bars, and a hip rooftop pool all beautifully housed in a very grand historic LA building!

The highly-rated Figueroa Hotel Los Angeles is a creative and distinctive Los Angeles accommodation option that mixes modern art with 1920s Spanish Colonial splendor. 

An elegant oasis in the middle of an urban sprawl the gorgeous boutique hotel complete with an outdoor swimming pool sits opposite the Grammy Museum at the Downtown L.A. Live entertainment complex. 

Head outside to find an atmospheric floodlit swimming pool surrounded by the ornately tiled poolside bar and towering palm trees making it the perfect place to soak up some of those glorious Californian rays. Its artsy vibe also makes it a haven for LA creative types.

Located in a truly prestigious location at the foothills of Bel-Air and adjacent to Beverly Hills is the funky, sumptuous and trendsetting 4-star exceptionally rated The W Hotel Los Angeles.

Offering lashings of Cali-glam and famous for its luxurious decor and party atmosphere, the highly-rated hip Los Angeles hotel offers a fabulous range of fine dining, a stunning heated pool, classically decorated bedrooms as well as a renowned 7,000-square-foot spa and wellness center and that’s not forgetting the lobby DJ bar where you could definitely spot a celeb or two.

A great option for a traveler looking to really embrace the glam LA experience.