Inn at Venice Beach

Public art—and a general flair for the eclectic—has always been a hallmark of Venice, and this funky budget hotel is no exception. The sea-green exterior features an 18-foot-tall mosaic of a dancing, red-tressed mermaid (named Romy, since you asked), and while the straightforward rooms offer little surprise, framed black-and-white portraits of old-school Venice help ease the monotony. Hands down, the undisputed heart of the hotel is the Spanish-style courtyard, where guests gather for a continental breakfast each morning surrounded by lush plants and a handsome tiered fountain.