Hotels in Hollywood

Easily recognized by its five story mural boasting "Last Cappuccino before the 101", the Best Western Hollywood Hills brings affordability and a genial family-hipster atmosphere to hotels in Hollywood. Downstairs is the friendly but deafening 101 Coffee Shop, made famous in the movie "Swingers."

www.bestwesterncalifornia.com

One of the hotels in Hollywood that's just a short walk to the Walk of Fame. We're not sure what else to say; it's a Holiday Inn, you get a comfortable bed, a clean room, breakfast and mini bottles of shampoo n' stuff. Sometimes that's just what you need. www.hollywoodholidayinnexpress.com

A mid-range hotel close to all the Hollywood Blvd attractions. Formerly the Hollywood Heights Hotel. Once you get a look at the traffic crush on Highland, you'll be glad you're going Metro.

www.hiltongardeninn.com

A welcome alternative to giant chain hotels in Hollywood. Just four furnished apartments in a quiet, nearly hidden neighborhood, close to Hollywood attractions.

www.hollywoodhillssuites.com

One of the most conveniently located hotels in Hollywood. A mid-priced, suites-only hotel at the epicenter of Hollywood, just behind the Chinese theater, the Kodak Theater and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

www.orchidsuites.com

Just three rooms in this homey Craftsman guest house featuring organic bed linens, bamboo towels and other eco-friendly touches. [Recycled Jerry Bruckheimer scripts used as kindling in the fireplace?} www.hollywoodpensione.com

One of the most illustrious and ornate hotels in Hollywood. The first Academy Awards were held here. Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford financed its construction. The ghosts of Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Cliff are said to haunt the halls. David Hockney painted the Olympic-size pool. And they also rent rooms. www.hollywoodroosevelt.com

One of the most highly rated hotels in Hollywood, according to Trip Advisor. The kid-friendly Magic Castle Hotel has a couple of other things going for it as well. Hot cider in the lobby, breakfast goodies from Susina, one of our favorite L.A. bakeries and a location steps away from the Magic Castle, the exclusive, members-only magic club that is nearly impossible to get into. Unless you stay at the Magic Castle Hotel, which grants club admission to all their guests. Renovated from a converted apartment building, the Magic Castle is spacious and kid friendly. www.magiccastlehotel.com

A rooftop pool, a spa and giant stone elephants are the hallmarks of this high end hotel (It's Hollywood, why wouldn't there be giant stone elephants outside your room?] Steps away from the new Hollywood/Highland development and Grauman's Chinese theater, this is one of the most tourist friendly hotels in Hollywood.

www.loewshotels.com/Hollywood-Hotel

Recommendations: Nearby dining choices include Musso and Frank's for Martinis and steak or Loteria Grill for Mexican fusion.

This backpacker destination is near all the Hollywood sights and clubs. They offer walking tours, barbecues and open mike nights, so if that Beck look-alike with the out of tune guitar isn't cutting it, you'll show him. USA Hostel Hollywood recently won a "Hoscar" award for excellence as the second best hostel in America! www.usahostels.com

The Vibe is combination retro motel and youth hostel. Lush banana trees add a tropical touch to the paved parking lot, and you may hear a live band cranking in one of the common rooms. Billiards, karaoke and foosball to unwind after a day touring LA via Metro Rail. The communal barbecues tend to get loud, but if you wanted plush and peaceful, you'd stay at the W for 4 times the price. It's next door to Palms Thai restaurant, so that gives it an extra credit boost among our hotels in Hollywood. www.vibehotel.com

Spacious suites in a vintage, restored Hollywood home; a neighborhood vibe in the big city. And if you can't get enough chicken and waffles, Roscoe's is right around the corner.

www.villadellestelle

One of the newest hotels in Hollywood. The shiny, sparkly luxury W hotel stands atop a Metro station, making it easy to slip into the 300 thread count sheets after a car-free day of sightseeing. The W is also home to Bliss Spa and Drai's Hollywood, the latest "celebrity" thronged night club from perennial L.A. party giver Victor Drai, where everyone is a producer, a seducer, or named Sergio.

www.starwoodhotels.com

One of the newest hotels in Hollywood, the Redbury is not just decorated, it's "curated" by famed photographer Mathew Rolston and LA nightlife entrepreneur Sam Nazarian. They don't have suites, they have "flats" and it's not a hotel, it's a "hospitality experience." The exterior is really red. Interior is plush-chic-funky bohemian decor, like checking into the imagination of a Seventies rock star with good interior design sense. Because the building was originally built for condos, the rooms are spacious and many have a full kitchen. Rooms come with vintage record player and a vinyl collection for musical purists. Not as high end as the W and with a slightly funkier vibe, the Redbury is a hotel for those who like a little extra spin on their luxury. www.theredbury.com