Cool luxury-ish hotel in Los Angeles?

April 9, 2012 1:15 PM

The best splurgey place to stay in Los Angeles for a long girls weekend in June?

My friend and I are meeting in Los Angeles for a girls long weekend in early June. We are willing to splurge a bit and tend to like hipster fancy rather than old school fancy. We are no longer young, though, so cutting edge hipster with a 24 hour party scene is not necessary. We figure since LA is sprawling, particular neighborhood doesn't probably matter much (correct me if I'm wrong there) but we do really want a nice pool area to lounge. Feel free to give me your recommendations for meals not to be missed and things to do a tourist is unlikely to discover if you're so inclined. Especially interested in destination neighborhoods where we could wander and shop/eat.

posted by Wolfie to Travel & Transportation around Los Angeles, CA (15 answers total)

I really enjoyed the Avalon when I stayed there about five years ago. There is a party scene though, so if that bothers you ask to be put in a room that doesn't overlook the pool.
posted by Dragonness at 1:32 PM on April 9, 2012

The hyatt luxury chain hotel on sunset strip.
posted by TestamentToGrace at 1:34 PM on April 9, 2012

if you plan to be in burbank, go to the studios, or talk shows then this is a great place to stay...

http://www.hotelamarano.com/
posted by chasles at 1:41 PM on April 9, 2012

I didn't go out to the pool, but The Sunset Tower was really fun to stay in. Cool rooms and decor, incredible views of Los Angeles, and super fine dining. That's smack on the Sunset Strip, epicenter of destination neighborhoods in LA, taxi distance to Melrose district, West Hollywood, Robertson Blvd, and Beverly Hills. Splurge away!
posted by carsonb at 1:47 PM on April 9, 2012

Standard West Hollywood -- I really enjoyed it.
posted by sweetkid at 1:49 PM on April 9, 2012

Not LA proper, but Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. Doesn't have a happening pool scene but as the name implies it is right on the beach.
posted by birdherder at 1:53 PM on April 9, 2012 [1 favorite]

There's more hipster fancy is East from you, of course. Hillhurst St. is pretty cool (that's hipster for necessary, you know), Sunset Junction, and Echo Park. Get on the Red Line and before you know it you're Downtown (get chicken pot pie at The Wood Spoon or the broccoli at The Gorbals), or in Chinatown.
posted by carsonb at 1:56 PM on April 9, 2012

The Avalon is nice but it's in BevHills, so it's not really Hipster Environs. Personally, if you're going to hipster splurge, why not really do it up and go to The Chateau Marmont? The pool is great, and you're right on Sunset, so you'll be pretty central to get over to Los Feliz, or down to Beverly/Melrose, etc (although you will need a car wherever you stay). The bar is also fun.

I haven't found it to be too 24 Hour Party-y, in part, I suspect, because it's kind of expensive. It's so deliciously Old School LA, though.
posted by Countess Sandwich at 2:07 PM on April 9, 2012 [1 favorite]

The Redbury in west Hollywood is brilliant, I stayed there in one of the pricier rooms and will definitely be back.

I also stayed at the Grafton, in west Hollywood and this place was quite good, still recommend the Redbury foremost.
posted by Under the Sea at 2:14 PM on April 9, 2012

Seconding Shutters on the Beach as the most luxurious choice, if you can accept the Pacific instead of a pool.

Otherwise, definitely Chateau Marmont.
posted by Mchelly at 2:37 PM on April 9, 2012

Response by poster: I totally spaced on Chateau Marmont as a place to stay. Investigating... Thanks everyone for the great tips.
posted by Wolfie at 2:45 PM on April 9, 2012

Destination neighborhoods to shop/eat: Abbot Kinney (which is a street) would probably be a lot of fun for you. Do you like fancy malls and people watching? If so, check out the Grove (or the Beverly Center).

Go get gelato at Pazzo Gelato in Silverlake. There is some wandering around/shopping to be had, though not a ton.

There are lots of past threads on non-touristy fun hidden things to do in LA - search if you haven't yet.
posted by insectosaurus at 2:46 PM on April 9, 2012

Shutters (mentioned above) is a good option. Also The Shore Hotel: excellent location, pool, and beach.

I would say that The Shore trends a little more toward new-school hip than old-school swank (also, it was just recently finished, so there is a "new" sheen to it). Shutters is a little more "mature" in its ambiance.

Also, while I am in the business of discussing the swank hotels in Santa Monica, I should mention The Viceroy... pool and trendy swank.

Enjoy!
posted by milqman at 2:52 PM on April 9, 2012

+1 for the Viceroy. Chi-chi, relaxing, luxurious, well-appointed. I enjoyed the hell out of my stay there.
posted by mynameisluka at 6:37 PM on April 9, 2012

I stayed in the Hotel Amarano back when it was the Graciela, and it was deluxe-ish (a good thing in my book). Very comfy beds, a chef who made omelettes to order. Not too expensive.

I assume they've carried the good qualities over under the new management.
posted by zippy at 5:07 PM on May 1, 2012