The Line Hotel

This Koreatown hotel is the epicenter of hip. Ultra-modern rooms have floor-to-ceiling views (request one that faces the Hollywood Hills). Celeb chef Roy Choi runs the restaurants; you can dine in a faux greenhouse at Commissary or sample modern Korean fare at Pot. DJs spin in the main bar, and local design shop Poketo has an outpost in the lobby. The lively neighborhood is a terrific place to witness the revival of LA's urban core.

Hotel Covell

Tucked away above an intimate wine bar in Los Feliz, this petite boutique hotel takes guests on a literary-inspired journey. Each of the 5 apartment-style suites is styled after a different "chapter" in the life of the fictional bon vivant George Covell. Room themes range from a 1950s New York flat to a 1960s Parisian pied-à-terre. Kitchenettes invite eating in, but it's just as easy to slip downstairs to Bar Covell for wine and small plates.

Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles

Set in a restored 1927 art-deco building, the Ace is a key player in the downtown renaissance. The ultra-hip hotel chain has nailed all the right of-the-moment details: a cold-pressed juicery in the lobby, a bustling bar on the rooftop, minimalist rooms with cool amenities such as acoustic guitars and LP turntables, and a theater featuring live music. It's an ideal base camp from which to explore downtown's funky shops, restaurants and historic landmarks.

The Redbury

Smack in the middle of the Hollywood action, the Redbury is an excellent choice for both families and couples looking for a sultry getaway. Suites are festooned in crimson-hued, bohemian décor and offer amenities that encourage extended stays, including full kitchens and washer/dryers. Sights such as the Walk of Fame are within walking distance, and you can get a taste of Tinseltown nightlife at the nearby sushi spot Katsuya or Cleo, the divine Mediterranean restaurant in the lobby.

Beverly Hills Hotel

For golden-era Hollywood glamour, nothing beats the Beverly Hills Hotel. The iconic pink, Mission revival property has been the quintessence of luxury since it opened in 1912. Film legends from Humphrey Bogart to Elizabeth Taylor have bedded down here, and you're still sure to spot celebs having cocktails in the Polo Lounge or relaxing in a poolside cabana. Pamper yourself at the sumptuous spa or kick back at the retro 1940s diner-cum-soda-fountain.

Hotel Bel-Air

Nestled in the exclusive hillside neighborhood of Bel-Air, this romantic hotel is ensconced in a luxe private estate built in the 1940s. The lush canyon setting houses 12 acres of gardens, a lake with resident swans, and an oval pool ringed with hanging palms. The earth's bounty is also a theme in the California fresh fare of the Wolfgang Puck restaurant and in the nature-meets-science treatments at the La Prairie spa. It's a complete hideaway.

SLS Beverly Hills

Philippe Starck has created an avant-garde playground with fanciful décor at this slick property. The public spaces feature wacky accents such as teacup chairs and a life-size horse sculpture wearing a lamp shade. Spanish chef José Andres serves inventive tapas at the Bazaar and liquid nitrogen cocktails at Tres. The Altitude Pool deck buzzes with a beautiful crowd. But you can catch a break from all the action in the serene white-on-white rooms and the Ciel Spa.

Chateau Marmont

This storied hotel is literally a castle on a hill: The 1920s building is modeled after a French chateau, and the property hugs a slope above the hopping Sunset Strip. The apartment-style rooms and cottages have an old-world feel fit for a starlet (Greta Garbo hid away here), with accents including fireplaces, grand pianos and formal dining rooms. Wander through the arched stone terraces or join the chic cocktail set at Bar Marmont.

Hotel Erwin

Funky Venice Beach is the setting for the upbeat Hotel Erwin. Colorful, retro décor brightens the rooms, many with ocean views. But you won't be spending too much time inside with the beach and boardwalk at your doorstep. Head up to the High Rooftop Lounge at sunset for craft cocktails, worldly bites and 360-degree vistas. Fun extras include airport car service, complimentary passes to Exhale Yoga Spa, and milk and cookies at bedtime.

Petit Ermitage

Cozy suites with fireplaces make this haute hermitage ideal for a romantic or contemplative retreat. The hotel is situated on a quiet residential street in West Hollywood, and its outdoor spaces are dreamy. The private rooftop boasts stellar city views, a heated saltwater pool and a garden that's a registered butterfly sanctuary. La Cienega's Restaurant Row is nearby, but if you can't tear yourself away from this haven, there's also a private Mediterranean restaurant on-site.