Los Angeles is a city known for its cool credentials. After all, Hollywood is home to many A-list celebrities, plus it draws plenty of pretty young things hoping to make it big. So it's no surprise that L.A. is a beacon for trendy things to see and do, from designer shopping on Robertson Boulevard to a cutting-edge restaurant and cocktail scene downtown to street art and hidden staircases in Silver Lake. The good news for Los Angeles visitors? This hip factor definitely includes hotels. With that in mind, we rounded up six cool hotels in Los Angeles that are worth checking out right now.
Everything about the Freehand Los Angeles is hip. It's located in downtown L.A., inside the historic Commercial Exchange Building, and designers kept many of the building's historic Art-Deco touches, such as a full-length neon sign. Inside, the interiors focus on providing an interesting social media backdrop and features are aimed at millennial tourists. Guests are encouraged to mingle everywhere from the communal basement to the stunning rooftop pool. The lobby hosts co-working spaces and happy hour deals. Guest accommodations -- a mix of suites and shared rooms with bunks -- are highly curated with art books and gourmet minibars.
2. Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles
The Ace Hotel was the very first hipster hotel to open in downtown Los Angeles, all the way back in 2014. It opened in the historic United Artists building in the Broadway Theater District, a trendy area with restaurants, and is within walking distance to the Staples Center. The hotel has an industrial-chic-meets-music theme. Many of the moody rooms feature Martin Guitars and Ace x Rega turntables, plus vinyl records. The rooftop bar is famous for industry events, and the adjacent pool provides stunning views. For food, it doesn't get much cooler than Moon Juice's cold-pressed juices and a retro-inspired outpost of Coffee Counter.
The Jeremy West Hollywood is one of the coolest new hotels on the already-cool Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. The property certainly fits in with the neighborhood, but it also has a slight corporate vibe that brings a sense of order and service you might not find at other hip hotels. Chic, industrial rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows and mid-century modern furnishings. Harriet's Rooftop cocktail lounge and the elevated outdoor pool both offer endless views. Locally sourced art, a co-working space (with lots of outlets), and a plethora of Instagram-worthy gourmet meals were designed with millennials in mind.
4. The NoMad Hotel Los Angeles
The NoMad Hotel Los Angeles offers a winning combo of cool and class. The upscale hotel sits inside the former headquarters for the Bank of Italy, originally built in 1920. Today, the bank's Italianate lobby ceiling (done in blue and gold) has been lovingly restored. It serves as design inspiration throughout the beautiful public spaces and rooms. When it comes to ambience, no expense has been spared -- they even light the lobby with $65 French candles. The Restaurant, Coffee Bar, and Giannini Bar were each designed with Italian influences, and the rooftop swimming pool (with a fireplace and bar) is the place to see and be seen.
5. Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills spent over $200 million and 10 years in an attempt to become Beverly Hill's coolest celebrity hangout. The modern Art Deco showstopper has 119 rooms and 51 suites designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon. Each unit features a Crestron room control system, Diptyque and Ferragamo toiletries, and a private balcony with beautiful views of the hills and city. Guests are assigned a private concierge who is available 24 hours via text. Jean-Georges Beverly Hills serves gourmet food and provides 24-hour room service. Up on the 12th floor, The Rooftop by JG, offers a white pool deck and sweeping views of the Golden Triangle below.
This lauded celebrity hot spot has housed everyone from John Lennon to Britney Spears and seen its fair share of debauchery. Tourists can rent a hotel room and anyone can hang out at the bar, but if you want to be treated like a star, you need to actually be one. The rooms are a bit dowdy with standard carpets and vintage furnishings, but the kitchens are charming and the outdoor pool is serene. You never know what's going to happen at Chateau Marmont -- and that is very cool.
(Editor's note: Oyster.com is an independent hotel review site that does not have any financial arrangement with the individual hotels reviewed.)
