Hotels in Los Angeles

This 1960s-style motel near some of the best restaurants in central LA offers retro glamour at very reasonable rates to families and struggling actors. Andy Warhol prints adorn the walls and its Swingers' Diner , overlooking the outdoor swimming pool, has become the trendy haunt of young poseurs who like to eat innovative diner food (such as pancakes with jalapeno maple syrup) and those conducting business meetings at unsociable hours (it is open very late). The rooms are all comfortable with basic facilities, including microwaves, fridges, cable TV, modem points, and there is a friendly staff.

This quirky, Moroccan-themed hotel just one block from Los Angeles Convention Center in the heart of LA's business district is very reasonably priced. The charming, 12-storey landmark hotel built in 1926 makes a welcome change from homogenised chains. But it is not the place to stay if you want a slick, modern operation. Large, terracotta-coloured rooms feature wrought-iron beds and hand-painted furniture. The hotel's heated pool and Jacuzzi in a garden of bougainvillea, cacti, fountains and statues makes a good place to relax after a hard day's work. The coffee shop and reception are open 24 hours. or

Now owned by the Sultan of Brunei, this is pure Hollywood glamour, old-style. Built in 1912, the hotel has seen the honeymoons of six of Elizabeth Taylor's marriages and was featured in the star-studded 1978 movie California Suite . The famous Polo Lounge (a nostalgic vision in pink and green stripes and palm-printed wallpaper) is still a favourite among film directors and producers. The rooms have it all, including two cable TVs (one in the bathroom), marble baths and walk-in closets, while more secluded bungalows are also available, nestled around the pool area. A whirlpool, fitness centre, tennis courts and business centre complete the scene. or

Classical grandeur, impeccable service, 21st-century technology and a great location (right off Rodeo Drive) make this Four Seasons hotel renowned. (The Julia Roberts/Richard Gere movie, Pretty Woman , made it popular with tourists.) An ornately carved entrance leads to a magnificent lobby with Grecian columns and tapestries surrounded by the elegant Boulevard Restaurant and wood-panelled piano lounge. Rooms are luxurious with marble bathrooms, some overlooking the garden patio and pool - which is rather on the small side. The sleek Wolfgang Puck steakhouse, Cut , and the minimalist lounge, Sidebar are popular with well-heeled locals . Treatments at the hotel's elegant, refurbished spa are an indulgence. or