Los Angeles Hotel Guide

There's a cliché that Los Angeles is a group of suburbs in search of a city. To suggest that LA has no heart is untrue. While the city does sprawl and has lots of diverse communities within its boundaries, each of those districts has a heart and soul of its own.

The beach towns -- casual and relaxed -- have the widest appeal, attracting everyone from families to "hipsters." Santa Monica, Venice and Marina del Rey have a range of lodgings to suit all budgets, often with economical motels right next door to pricy hotels.

Malibu, north along the coast, is home to the super rich. It doesn't court tourists and there are few hotels, but it's worth a day trip if you want to try spotting a movie star at the local pizza joint. Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo beaches to the south have a range of accommodations where locals go on weekend getaways.

A little further inland are the high rises of Century City, built on what was the 20th Century Fox studios. With a complex of shops, theaters and restaurants at its center, it has some of the most sophisticated hotels in the city. On the west side, it's a great central location for both business and leisure travelers.

Beverly Hills and Bel Air are where to head for true luxury. However their glamorous and opulent hotels come at a price. Don't expect a good deal here at any time. Those on a budget wanting to window shop Rodeo Drive or tour stars' homes, will find better deals in neighboring Hollywood.

Hollywood attracts huge numbers of tourists, although it has lost much of its "glitz" over the decades. Renovation programs are currently underway, and for the next few years visitors will run into pockets of construction as the area gets a face lift. Still, Hollywood is a dynamic place with music venues, dance clubs and restaurants patronized by local "scenesters" -- including celebrities -- and visitors alike. Lodging also runs the gamut. There are the low- and mid-range chains; hotels with contemporary flair; and legendary establishments from Hollywood's heyday.

Further east are the Bohemian areas of Los Feliz and Silver Lake. Here there are avant guarde galleries, coffee shops hosting edgy performance art, vintage clothing stores, and "hip" bars and restaurants. They are great places for dropping in to sample local color. Plus, you can find reasonable motels.

Downtown is both a center of commerce and a meld of ethnic neighborhoods. Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Tokyo and the old Mexican Pueblo rub elbows with the financial, garment and jewelry districts. The convention center and the Staples Center -- home to the Lakers and Clippers basketball and the Kings hockey teams -- are right in the middle of downtown. Many hotels here are geared toward the needs of business travelers. Yet tourists interested in Los Angeles history, museums and classical music will also enjoy downtown. The adventurous can check out the fringe art and theater scenes in the converted warehouse district.

Close to downtown, Pasadena is undoubtedly the newest "in" spot. At the weekends people throng the boulevards enjoying "old town" trendy restaurants and shops. The area also has magnificent art museums, and the famous Rose Bowl. Hotels include some of California's oldest "grande dames" and its most modern. Some of Pasadena’s success is rubbing off on adjacent Glendale. Once a sleepy suburb, its revamped town center offers many of the same entertainment amenities as its popular neighbor, but with fewer crowds and better parking.

Budget travelers might find their needs met in the San Fernanado Valley, just a short drive over the hill from Los Angeles. Primarily a commuter suburb, "the valley" is also the site of Universal Studios. The area has all the main motel and hotel chains at slightly lower rates than the city. Woodland Hills at the western end would be a good bet if you are interested in the beach. Several beautiful canyon roads cut through the hills to the coast. Burbank in the east, is closer to Hollywood, Pasadena and downtown. Between them is a succession of valley towns, all strung along Ventura Boulevard, all with something slightly different to offer. North Hollywood is noteworthy. Known to locals as NOHO, it is close to Universal and is a burgeoning arts center with small theaters, galleries, and interesting shops.

If you want the Southern California experience but don’t like the inner city, consider Valencia. This sparkling new suburban town with all modern facilities is home to Six Flags Magic Mountain. It is also a great jumping off place if you are driving east into the desert, through the central valley wine country, or north along the coast.

Los Angeles' widespread nature can pose a problem as it does not have a great public transportation system. The new red line subway links downtown to Hollywood. Additionally there are buses, but because of the distances between many destinations they tend to be slow going. Taxis are not easily hailed and can be expensive. So it's a good idea to factor a rental car into your budget. Outside rush hours, freeways provide easy access to every part of the city and outlying districts. Most hotels host car rental desks, and all have copious parking.

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