The best cheap hotels in Los Angeles for a money-saving stay

Though not quite on the beach, this low-rise, hilltop hotel is about as close as you can get to the ocean in Manhattan Beach. The Sea View Inn is situated amongst low-key cafes on the city’s calmer north end. Some rooms have been redone with a more modern aesthetic, though others feel decidedly more motel-like. Rooms facing Highland Avenue may be a little noisy, but larger rooms and suites come with private balconies and picturesque ocean views. Bikes, beach accessories and Wi-Fi all come included.

Its two-story structure centered around a parking lot may technically make The Tangerine a motel, but then it’s easily the hippest motel in the Valley—think polished concrete floors, vibrant wall art and colorful wall art. In addition to free Wi-Fi and parking, the hotel offers free breakfast with pastries from the beloved Porto’s Bakery. The hotel sits barely a block from the Warner Brothers Studios and is walking distance from Bob’s Big Boy and the restaurants in neighboring Toluca Lake.

This convenient hotel right by the airport features 80 rooms, underground parking and an outdoor swimming pool. Rooms can be pretty spacious, especially the king suites, each of which comes with a mini spa and hot tub. The complimentary continental breakfast is a nice bonus, too. Still, the biggest plus about this hotel has to be its convenience for travelers: A short 10-minute ride on the hotel’s nonstop shuttle service will get you right to LAX.

Stylishly decked out with mid-century modern classics and a monochrome color palette, the Hollywood Inn Suites Hotel is a great place to grab a bargain, even at the peak of the season. It’s a three-star abode in South LA surrounded by small and medium-sized parks with its own outdoor pool and sunbathing area. The big draw here is that it doesn’t feel like an ‘affordable’ hotel (and indeed the prices aren’t the cheapest of the cheap). Instead, it feels like somewhere you’d stay based on its own qualities: a contemporary elegance and appealing clean-lined aesthetic.

This graffitti-decorated, Hard Rock Cafe-adjacent group hotel is as ultra-convenient for travelers looking to take in L.A.’s popular clubs and tourist destinations on the cheap, assuming you don’t mind sharing your space. As to be expected, amenities are sparse, but the bases are covered—during your stay, you’ll get a private locker, free Wi-Fi and complimentary breakfasts. The Walk of Fame Hostel also offers self-service laundry and access to a communal kitchen and lounge area, where you can make new friends over a game of billiards. For a cheap stay in the heart of Hollywood, look no further.

Banana Bungalow Hollywood feels more like a block party than a hostel. Open the front gate and you’re instantly in the courtyard  equipped with outdoor seating, a basketball hoop, ping pong table and palm trees to remind you that you’ve indeed arrived in L.A. The hostel allows travelers to park for free right below their rooms. Private and shared rooms both come with a full kitchen and bathroom, and the tiki garden offers guests a sunny spot to enjoy their free breakfast, sunbathe and meet fellow tourists.

Located in the Fairfax District, this Banana Bungalow location is one of the most centrally located hostels in L.A. In a matter of minutes guests can be shopping on Melrose or eating at the Original Farmers Market. This two-story hostel offers private and shared rooms, most with their own bathrooms. Their tiki courtyard turns into a laid-back hangout at night where guests can check out free music and comedy shows. Breakfast is free, dinners are cheap, and the hostel offers discounted activities and tours around town that you can consider your itinerary pretty much set.