StayAreasWhere to stay in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a sprawl of separate towns, and most visitors drive or use rideshare, so choose the area you want to spend your evenings in. Stay in Santa Monica or Venice for the beach; in West Hollywood for the Sunset Strip, restaurants and nightlife; in Beverly Hills for luxury and calm; in Hollywood for the Walk of Fame and the cheapest central rooms; or in Downtown for museums, concerts and the Metro. Traffic is heavy, so budget time between areas. The weather is mild all year; early summer can be grey near the coast.
6 neighbourhoods compared · Typical mid-range hotel ~$340/night · Prices updated Oct 2026
Our recommendations
Best for a first visitHollywood~$250/night · Walk of Fame, studios & the Hollywood Sign
Also consider Santa Monica
Best nightlifeWest Hollywood~$380/night · Sunset Strip, restaurants & nightlife
Also consider Venice
Best foodVenice~$300/night · Boardwalk, canals & Abbot Kinney
Also consider West Hollywood, Santa Monica
Best for familiesSanta Monica~$400/night · Beach, pier & walkable streets
Also consider Beverly Hills
Best valueDowntown LA~$260/night · Museums, concerts & the Metro hub
Best upscale stayBeverly Hills~$450/night · Rodeo Drive, palm trees & luxury
Also consider Santa Monica, West Hollywood
Compare Los Angeles neighbourhoods
Pick what matters to you and we'll rank the areas.
| Area | Best for | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Santa Monica | ~$400 | First visit, Families | ||||
 Venice | ~$300 | Nightlife, Budget | ||||
 West Hollywood | ~$380 | Nightlife, Upscale | ||||
 Beverly Hills | ~$450 | Upscale, Families | ||||
 Hollywood | ~$250 | First visit, Budget | ||||
 Downtown LA | ~$260 | Business, Budget |
Typical mid-range double room per night, not live prices · Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas
Los Angeles neighbourhoods on the map
Typical hotel prices in Los Angeles
A typical mid-range double costs about $340 a night across the areas we cover. Budget hotels start around $200; luxury hotels average $710.
Beverly Hills, Santa Monica cost the most. Hollywood, Downtown LA are the cheapest, around $200 a night less than Beverly Hills.
These are typical rates outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026.
| Area | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood | ~$150 | ~$250 | ~$450 |
| Downtown LA | ~$160 | ~$260 | ~$500 |
| Venice | ~$180 | ~$300 | ~$550 |
| West Hollywood | ~$220 | ~$380 | ~$800 |
| Santa Monica | ~$230 | ~$400 | ~$850 |
| Beverly Hills | ~$250 | ~$450 | ~$1,100 |
Los Angeles FAQs
What is the best area to stay in Los Angeles for first-time visitors?
Hollywood, followed by Santa Monica. The home of the film industry, with the Walk of Fame, the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Bowl and views of the Hollywood Sign.
How much does a hotel in Los Angeles cost per night?
Across the areas we cover, a typical mid-range double costs about $340 a night, from around $200 for budget hotels to $710 for luxury. Hollywood (~$250) is the cheapest area and Beverly Hills (~$450) the most expensive. These are typical rates, not live prices.
Where should I stay in Los Angeles on a budget?
Downtown LA, followed by Hollywood, Venice.
Which Los Angeles neighbourhood is best for nightlife?
West Hollywood, followed by Venice.
Where is the best area to stay in Los Angeles with kids?
Santa Monica, followed by Beverly Hills.
Which area is quickest to reach from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)?
Venice: about 25 minutes (taxi or rideshare from LAX). Santa Monica is next at about 30 minutes.