Los Angeles

Image courtesy of Downtown LA Proper Hotel

Few cities do contrasts quite like Los Angeles. It’s where palm-lined boulevards meet glassy skyscrapers, and sun-soaked beaches sit just a short drive from mountain trails. Each neighborhood tells a different story, Santa Monica brings the sea breeze, West Hollywood the scene, Pasadena the old-Hollywood grandeur, and downtown the creative spark. Together, they make up a city worthy of repeated visits to explore all its personalities.

Here are my top Los Angeles hotels under $500 a night, although holidays and events may impact rates. From laid-back beach classics to design-forward downtown stays, these picks capture the many sides of the City of Angels.

Palihouse West Hollywood

Image courtesy of Palihouse West Hollywood

Set on one of West Hollywood’s liveliest streets, this 95-room Palisociety revival nails that LA mix of style and scene. The rooms are full of details patterned carpets, SMEG fridges, Diptyque bath products, and just the right touch of retro. Downstairs, the Lobby Lounge Café & Bar buzzes from breakfast through last call, while Mezzanine Sushi and the poolside lounge keep the good times rolling. Surrounded by neighborhood favorites like Joan’s on Third and Magnolia Bakery, it’s pure WeHo energy playful, design-forward, and always in on the fun.

• Fora Reserve access is available when you book through me. Ask me what it can include for your dates.

Hotel June West LA

Image courtesy of Hotel June West LA

A laid-back sister to Proper Hotels, Hotel June brings Baja beach energy to LA’s Westside. The mid-century building by Welton Becket has been revived with warm woods, sandy tones, and a splash of ocean blue casual and sun-soaked comfort with a design edge. At Caravan Swim Club, the poolside restaurant and bar, fish tacos and mezcal cocktails set the tone for long afternoons under the palms. Just five minutes from the beach and ten from LAX, it’s as ideal for a weekend escape as it is for kicking off (or wrapping up) a California road trip.

• Fora Reserve access is available when you book through me. Ask me what it can include for your dates.

The Langham Huntington, Pasadena

Image courtesy of The Langham Huntington, Pasadena

A Pasadena landmark since 1911, The Langham Huntington feels every bit a grand Californian estate 23 acres of manicured lawns, palm-lined gardens, and mountain views framing its Spanish Mission Revival architecture. Inside, history meets modern polish in refreshed rooms and suites, while private cottages offer a secluded retreat that’s especially good for families. Guests linger over afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge, gather by the pool, or settle in for dinner at The Royce Wood-Fired Steakhouse. Between the Chuan Spa, tennis courts, and wide-open green spaces, this Pasadena classic has an easy, unhurried charm that still feels unmistakably elegant.

• Fora’s COUTURE by Langham access is available when you book through me. Ask me what it can include for your dates.

Viceroy Santa Monica

Image courtesy of Viceroy Santa Monica

A block from the ocean, the Viceroy Santa Monica has been a fixture of California’s coastline for over 20 years. Following a thoughtful redesign, its rooms now feel calm and contemporary, with rattan accents, soft coastal tones, and marble bathrooms framing sunset views. Sugar Palm Santa Monica, the indoor–outdoor restaurant and bar, draws locals as much as guests for its chef’s table dinners and relaxed poolside setting. From morning yoga to an afternoon swim or a quiet drink in the garden lounge, the hotel balances the best of beachside living with an easy, understated sense of luxury.

Downtown LA Proper Hotel

Image courtesy of Downtown LA Proper Hotel

As a Fora advisor I have preferred-partner access at many luxury hotels, and I look after the details of your stay with the property. Ask me what may apply to your trip.

• Fora Reserve access is available when you book through me. Ask me what it can include for your dates.

Splurge-worthy: Shutters on the Beach

Image courtesy of Shutters on the Beach

If you can stretch the budget, make it Shutters. Set right on the sand in Santa Monica, this longtime favorite captures the feeling of a coastal dream brought to life casual but quietly glamorous. Interiors by Michael S. Smith (of Obama White House fame) mix shingled-beach-house nostalgia with ocean views and fireplaces that feel straight from Cape Cod. The art collection includes works by Hockney and Lichtenstein, and the lobby buzzes with a mix of locals and leisure travelers. Spend mornings over lemon-ricotta pancakes at Coast, afternoons at ONE Spa or on the sand, and evenings at 1 Pico watching the sun drop into the Pacific.