The best West Hollywood hotels

You wouldn't know it today, but this snazzy hotel from the Hyatt chain was once the hardest partying spot on the Sunset Strip. The 239-room hotel pays homage to its history with decorative touches (contemporary art and vintage images of its famous guests) throughout the modern-designed rooms and lobby. The sunny lobby restaurant RH features a seasonal menu of California-French cuisine while the show-stopper of a rooftop sundeck offers the highest vantage point in the area.

Designed like an artist's studio with shelves of old books, exposed brick walls and custom-designed leather furniture, every suite at Palihouse comes equipped with a microwave, two-top burner and dishware—making the hotel perfect for anyone who plans to make L.A. their home for a few weeks or even a few months. With fun hangout spaces like an intimate espresso bar, a courtyard restaurant and the vintage-inspired lobby lounge, you may never want to leave.

Built as an apartment block in the 1950s, this tower was converted into a hotel in the mid '90s and immediately became one of the hottest spots in the city. Funky additions to the rooms include combined mirror/TV showpieces and sustainable bamboo flooring. Elsewhere in the hotel, Skybar still draws a starry crowd and the Agua Spa is sweet, if petite.

One of the most memorable buildings on the Sunset Strip (it's on the National Register of Historic Places), this beautiful tower opened in 1931 as an apartment block, but it's been a hotel for years. These days, the decor is a fine-tuned balance of old Hollywood charm and contemporary chic, and service is excellent. The elevated pool and lounge afford wonderful views of the city below, although equally breathtaking vistas can be enjoyed through floor-to-ceiling windows in the nicely sized rooms and suites.

This storied hideaway still hosts all sorts of celebrities seeking refuge in its lush grounds. Its bright and airy villas are more like luxurious apartments than hotel rooms—just with a far more sumptuous shower. Grab a bite to eat on the patio at Cavatina or scope out rock and roll-inspired fine art at the Morrison Hotel Gallery or grab a drink with a friend at Bar 1200.

In 1998, at the height of Austin Powers mania, the Standard was converted from a '60s retirement home to a tongue-in-chic shag pad: The brightly hued bedrooms come with minibars peddling condoms, and the space-age influence extends to the groovy lobby carpeting and the furniture. The schtick is looking a little weary these days, but the poolside lounge remains popular with a see-and-be-seen scene, and the staff are more welcoming than you might expect at a property where image is so crucial.

One of the many beautiful things about this Hollywood Hills fixture is that it's barely changed over the decades. The hotel still attracts the brazen and the beautiful; it still offers a quintessentially glamorous L.A. experience; and it still promises its guests absolute discretion. Most rooms provide a view of the surrounding gardens and select suites boast a full kitchen—after all, some celebrities practically live at this place.

All 200 rooms are generous suites featuring subtle sage and tan palettes, Italian linens and luxurious white bathrooms. Each has a private deck or a balcony with decent views; for truly extraordinary panoramic vistas, especially at dusk, head upwards to the rooftop pool deck. The off-Sunset location makes it popular with leisure-seekers, who'll also be lured by the spa.

These budget-friendly accommodations—by West Hollywood standards—hearkin back to the age roadside motels, albeit with a much more modern flair. Rooms range from standard spaces to a loft with a spiral staircase. You'll find the upscale diner Kitchen 24 attached, alongside a smoothie spot and a Starbucks.

Located in the middle of the famous Sunset Strip, this boutique hotel offers the largest saltwater pool in West Hollywood and a 24-hour fitness center. Stop by the lobby lounge for a cocktail or Oliver’s Prime for an intimate steak dinner. Rooms are tight but stylishly trimmed.