This 300-room Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, literally an L.A. landmark, combines the shimmer of silver-screen history with a cutting-edge party scene centered around its multiple bars and massive pool. A terrific casual restaurant is open 24 hours, and service is surprisingly good. The rooms, though well designed, are smaller than average for L.A.
This 300-room Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, literally an L.A. landmark, combines the shimmer of silver-screen history with a cutting-edge party scene centered around its multiple bars and massive pool. A terrific casual restaurant is open 24 hours, and service is surprisingly good. The rooms, though well designed, are smaller than average for L.A.
Located steps from Hollywood Boulevard, the Magic Castle is a quirky, unpretentious 40-room hotel with simple, spacious rooms, an exhaustive list of free perks (Wi-Fi, breakfast, minibar treats), access to the exclusive Magic Castle club next door, and exceptional service. Overall, it's a terrific value and one of L.A.'s hidden gems.
Located steps from Hollywood Boulevard, the Magic Castle is a quirky, unpretentious 40-room hotel with simple, spacious rooms, an exhaustive list of free perks (Wi-Fi, breakfast, minibar treats), access to the exclusive Magic Castle club next door, and exceptional service. Overall, it's a terrific value and one of L.A.'s hidden gems.
The 96-room Hotel Emblem is a quirky, literary-themed boutique hotel located in downtown San Francisco, two blocks from Union Square. The stylish property has a sceney vibe and a fun style that pays tribute to the Beat Generation (think throw pillows that read “Pot Is Fun” and William Carlos Williams quotes embedded on custom carpeting). The attractive rooms have funky, midcentury-inspired decor, as well as flat-screen TVs and glass decanters by the bedside (each floor has a station with filtered water and afternoon fruit and cookies). Perks include a hip lobby bar with excellent cocktails, a billiards room, and an outpost of the Brooklyn-based Bluestone Lane coffee shop. However, there’s no full-service eatery, and no fitness center. All in all, it’s a cooly mellow spot for couples or solo travelers; for something a bit more buttoned-up, consider The Inn at Union Square - A Greystone Hotel.
The 96-room Hotel Emblem is a quirky, literary-themed boutique hotel located in downtown San Francisco, two blocks from Union Square. The stylish property has a sceney vibe and a fun style that pays tribute to the Beat Generation (think throw pillows that read “Pot Is Fun” and William Carlos Williams quotes embedded on custom carpeting). The attractive rooms have funky, midcentury-inspired decor, as well as flat-screen TVs and glass decanters by the bedside (each floor has a station with filtered water and afternoon fruit and cookies). Perks include a hip lobby bar with excellent cocktails, a billiards room, and an outpost of the Brooklyn-based Bluestone Lane coffee shop. However, there’s no full-service eatery, and no fitness center. All in all, it’s a cooly mellow spot for couples or solo travelers; for something a bit more buttoned-up, consider The Inn at Union Square - A Greystone Hotel.
The upper-middle-range Hotel Spero is a chic boutique that dates back to 1923 and occupies a convenient location three blocks from Union Square and within a six-minute walk to a BART station in San Francisco. Renovated in 2018, interiors here are full of style that melds original details like beautiful hand-painted wooden ceiling beams in the lobby with contemporary decor. A diner-like restaurant and bar serves American fare and offers happy hour specials, plus there’s a fitness center well stocked with modern Precor machines and Peloton bikes. Other features include a co-working space and five meeting rooms. The 236 rooms are a bit small, but they’re attractive and equipped with flat-screen TVs and robes. Suites add living rooms. Wi-Fi is covered by the resort fee. For a cool boutique property with more amenities like an infinity pool and spa, consider the Huntington Hotel in Nob Hill.
The upper-middle-range Hotel Spero is a chic boutique that dates back to 1923 and occupies a convenient location three blocks from Union Square and within a six-minute walk to a BART station in San Francisco. Renovated in 2018, interiors here are full of style that melds original details like beautiful hand-painted wooden ceiling beams in the lobby with contemporary decor. A diner-like restaurant and bar serves American fare and offers happy hour specials, plus there’s a fitness center well stocked with modern Precor machines and Peloton bikes. Other features include a co-working space and five meeting rooms. The 236 rooms are a bit small, but they’re attractive and equipped with flat-screen TVs and robes. Suites add living rooms. Wi-Fi is covered by the resort fee. For a cool boutique property with more amenities like an infinity pool and spa, consider the Huntington Hotel in Nob Hill.
At one of the more enviable locations in San Diego, the 30-story Hilton Bayfront is right on the bay, directly across the street from PETCO Park. It's connected to the San Diego Convention Center and it has its own massive event space that's frequently used for spillover from conferences. The hotel's business-friendly environment includes an on-site UPS store and 1,190 large rooms with desks that are designed to get work done. It's not all meetings and conventions though, and the hotel has a great outdoor terrace with a saltwater pool and a waterslide facing the bay. With expensive food and added fees for Wi-Fi and parking, the Hilton can end up being an costly place to stay, which may deter those who aren't in town for business. Nearby alternatives include the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, on the opposite end of the Convention Center, or the less spectacular Embassy Suites San Diego Bay, which has cheaper rates and free breakfast.
At one of the more enviable locations in San Diego, the 30-story Hilton Bayfront is right on the bay, directly across the street from PETCO Park. It's connected to the San Diego Convention Center and it has its own massive event space that's frequently used for spillover from conferences. The hotel's business-friendly environment includes an on-site UPS store and 1,190 large rooms with desks that are designed to get work done. It's not all meetings and conventions though, and the hotel has a great outdoor terrace with a saltwater pool and a waterslide facing the bay. With expensive food and added fees for Wi-Fi and parking, the Hilton can end up being an costly place to stay, which may deter those who aren't in town for business. Nearby alternatives include the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, on the opposite end of the Convention Center, or the less spectacular Embassy Suites San Diego Bay, which has cheaper rates and free breakfast.
This chic, 164-room beach hotel opened in 2011 with a prime location across from the Santa Monica Pier and a block away from shopping and entertainment on Third Street Promenade. The building has a sleek, eco-friendly design, and comfortable rooms feature private balconies; city or ocean views; and modern technologies such as free Wi-Fi and self-adjusting thermostats. The lovely courtyard pool area and well-equipped fitness center are also pluses, as is the locally sourced Mexican restaurant.
This chic, 164-room beach hotel opened in 2011 with a prime location across from the Santa Monica Pier and a block away from shopping and entertainment on Third Street Promenade. The building has a sleek, eco-friendly design, and comfortable rooms feature private balconies; city or ocean views; and modern technologies such as free Wi-Fi and self-adjusting thermostats. The lovely courtyard pool area and well-equipped fitness center are also pluses, as is the locally sourced Mexican restaurant.
When the Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles first opened way back in 1923, it was the largest hotel west of Chicago. The hotel was built by the same architect who designed the iconic Waldorf Astoria in New York City, and the attention to intricate detail is magnificent, especially in the five ballrooms, lobby, and historic bar. The 683 rooms are mostly decorated in a classic style, though some have more contemporary interiors and extras like walk-in closets and club level lounge access. As for features, there's a charming indoor pool, four assorted restaurants, and a dated fitness center. One unexpected perk is a brush with Hollywood; everyone from John Legend to Jennifer Lopez to the cast of "Ghostbusters" has filmed in the hotel. For a downtown hotel that's more hip than historic, check rates at Freehand Los Angeles.
When the Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles first opened way back in 1923, it was the largest hotel west of Chicago. The hotel was built by the same architect who designed the iconic Waldorf Astoria in New York City, and the attention to intricate detail is magnificent, especially in the five ballrooms, lobby, and historic bar. The 683 rooms are mostly decorated in a classic style, though some have more contemporary interiors and extras like walk-in closets and club level lounge access. As for features, there's a charming indoor pool, four assorted restaurants, and a dated fitness center. One unexpected perk is a brush with Hollywood; everyone from John Legend to Jennifer Lopez to the cast of "Ghostbusters" has filmed in the hotel. For a downtown hotel that's more hip than historic, check rates at Freehand Los Angeles.
The upscale, family-friendly Paradise Point Resort and Spa is set on a 44-acre island in Mission Bay, a short drive from downtown San Diego and SeaWorld. Housed in bungalows with private patios, the resort’s 462 rooms are spacious and stylish, with subtle nautical decor elements, sleek bathrooms with quartz finishes, and free Wi-Fi. Aside from a mile-long beach and a marina with water sports (for a fee), Paradise Point offers a slew of on-site activities, including five pools, a fitness center, tennis and basketball courts, and daily wellness classes. The spa is a highlight here, complete with private and couples’ massage rooms, saunas, steam rooms, and a courtyard. Food options are good and varied, but many guests find them overpriced. An obligatory resort fee, plus additional charges for some activities and steep parking rates, make some guests feel nickel and dimed. The nearby Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina is another good option in the same price point.
The upscale, family-friendly Paradise Point Resort and Spa is set on a 44-acre island in Mission Bay, a short drive from downtown San Diego and SeaWorld. Housed in bungalows with private patios, the resort’s 462 rooms are spacious and stylish, with subtle nautical decor elements, sleek bathrooms with quartz finishes, and free Wi-Fi. Aside from a mile-long beach and a marina with water sports (for a fee), Paradise Point offers a slew of on-site activities, including five pools, a fitness center, tennis and basketball courts, and daily wellness classes. The spa is a highlight here, complete with private and couples’ massage rooms, saunas, steam rooms, and a courtyard. Food options are good and varied, but many guests find them overpriced. An obligatory resort fee, plus additional charges for some activities and steep parking rates, make some guests feel nickel and dimed. The nearby Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina is another good option in the same price point.
Formerly the Radisson Hotel Fisherman's Wharf, the three-pearl Hotel Zephyr ditched its outdoor pool in favor of a sprawling playground that's filled with fire pit lounge spaces and giant yard games. Some guests may mourn the loss of a pool, but overall the Zephyr raised the bar on its family-friendly amenities, which extends to the interiors. Common spaces feel like an urban amusement park, including a game room. Even its 361 guest rooms have a playful spirit, stocked with dart boards, iPod docks, and huge 48-inch smart TVs. Its location right across the street from the waterfront is appealing, and rates are cheaper than the nearby Hyatt or the Holiday Inn Express. If Hotel Zephyr is booked up, check out the nautically themed Argonaut Hotel farther along the waterfront.
Formerly the Radisson Hotel Fisherman's Wharf, the three-pearl Hotel Zephyr ditched its outdoor pool in favor of a sprawling playground that's filled with fire pit lounge spaces and giant yard games. Some guests may mourn the loss of a pool, but overall the Zephyr raised the bar on its family-friendly amenities, which extends to the interiors. Common spaces feel like an urban amusement park, including a game room. Even its 361 guest rooms have a playful spirit, stocked with dart boards, iPod docks, and huge 48-inch smart TVs. Its location right across the street from the waterfront is appealing, and rates are cheaper than the nearby Hyatt or the Holiday Inn Express. If Hotel Zephyr is booked up, check out the nautically themed Argonaut Hotel farther along the waterfront.
A chain hotel near LAX Airport and the 405 freeway, The Westin Los Angeles Airport is a 740-room giant with extra amenities like New Balance workout gear for rent and in-room spa treatments. There are three on-site dining options including the Daily Grill for a sit-down meal or lobby cafe for takeaway snacks and beverages. Rooms are generic, but do have signature comfortable beds and flat-screen TVs. There is an outdoor pool and hot tub, free shuttle to LAX airport, and Zipcar service available on-site but there is a fee for Wi-Fi. Guests looking for a more upscale pool experience should check out the nearby Custom Hotel with a multi tiered pool deck and fire pit.
A chain hotel near LAX Airport and the 405 freeway, The Westin Los Angeles Airport is a 740-room giant with extra amenities like New Balance workout gear for rent and in-room spa treatments. There are three on-site dining options including the Daily Grill for a sit-down meal or lobby cafe for takeaway snacks and beverages. Rooms are generic, but do have signature comfortable beds and flat-screen TVs. There is an outdoor pool and hot tub, free shuttle to LAX airport, and Zipcar service available on-site but there is a fee for Wi-Fi. Guests looking for a more upscale pool experience should check out the nearby Custom Hotel with a multi tiered pool deck and fire pit.