Sunfinder Vacations

What to expect: Standing on prime real estate bordered by the Walk of Fame, the grand Hollywood Roosevelt opens up to a massive lobby adorned with chandeliers, dramatic drapes, columns, and archways. The Hollywood Roosevelt once hosted the likes of Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, and was the site of the first Academy Awards® in 1929. It was also a favorite of Marilyn Monroe.

Amenity highlights: The ornate Spanish Colonial lobby of this Hollywood hotel houses a corner bar next to a European-style restaurant. Dining and refreshment highlights include Dakota's, serving California and Continental cuisine; 25 Degrees, a "burger-and-wine joint"; and the Tropicana, offering poolside service. In the evenings, this outdoor area is converted into an alluring, sexy place to spot celebrities. The outdoor, heated pool features an underwater mural by David Hockney.

Nicknamed “Hotel of the Stars,” this Sheraton is popular with celebrities, creative types doing business with the film and TV industry, and leisure travelers who appreciate being close to Universal Studios attractions. Its wide, elegant lobby offers comfortable seating areas where guests enjoy the view of the tropical garden surrounding the expansive pool area.

Located high on a hillside, the 23-story Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City is set back from the Universal Studios Hollywood thoroughfare, with a private entrance that overlooks the Hollywood Hills. Valets await arriving guests, who enter a light-filled, marble-clad lobby with crystal chandeliers hanging from the vaulted ceiling.

From the palm-tree–lined entry to the ornate lobby, The Tower Beverly Hills stylish—yet elegant—decor complements the equally stylish clientele who appreciate the hotel’s top-notch concierge services, elegant pool area, and prime location within a half-mile of the boutiques of Rodeo Drive. A red-velvet pool table and flat-screen TVs are available in the Tower Lounge.

The shining glass- and marble-accented lobby, with its cascading water wall and elegant lounge, is filled with business travelers and studio executives.

This large airport-area hotel and conference center welcomes guests with a large, open lobby filled with live plants, comfy sofas, café-style meeting tables, and marble floors, and is flanked by the hotel’s four restaurants and bars. Weekday guests are mostly business and convention travelers. On weekends, the hotel fills with leisure travelers, groups, and guests with early-morning or late-night flights.

Just off the beaten path, this gleaming property is within walking distance of the beach and all major Santa Monica attractions. Plenty of comfortable seating space is available in the lobby adjoining a window-filled lounge. Business and leisure travelers alike enjoy relaxing here.

This contemporary hotel faces the Century City Fountain along the Avenue of the Stars. Doormen in top hats and bright red coats and tails create a stylish first impression. The lobby lounge, with its soaring ceiling and wall of windows, overlooks several outdoor reflecting pools. The hotel has hosted every U.S. President since Lyndon B. Johnson, as well as actors such as Tom Hanks and Jack Nicholson.

What to expect: A longtime Sunset Strip fixture, the retro Hyatt West Hollywood is known as the “rock and roll hotel” for its approximately 50-year history of hosting musical entertainers from around the world. The modern amenities also attract corporate travelers and vacationers, especially those wanting to sample the local nightlife. Often a film location, guests might find themselves in the middle of some cinematic action.

Amenity highlights: The contemporary lobby, with two-story windows facing Sunset Strip, provides an excellent perch for celebrity spotting. The outdoor swimming pool, surrounded by chaise lounges, affords panoramic city views and peaceful sunbathing.

Guests traveling on selected major airlines can use the Fast Board™ program to check in and receive airline-issued boarding passes before leaving the hotel for the airport.

Insider tip: The Comedy Store is next door and the House of Blues is across the street. Movies such as Spinal Tap, Rock Star, Wonderland, and Almost Famous were filmed at the hotel.

Befitting the hotel’s seaside setting, the atrium lobby has an airy, open feel, with glass ceiling, palm trees, and billowy curtains. Contemporary furniture is arranged in intimate seating nooks and by the fireplace. A large lobby bar adjoins the outdoor pool and sundeck. Clientele consists of vacationers visiting the Los Angeles beach areas and business travelers attending conferences at the nearby convention center.

What to expect: With a prestigious location on Rodeo Drive, the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive offers refuge for well-heeled shoppers and high-powered executives. A long, curtained hallway leads to the intimate lobby, where fresh fruit and bottled water are provided at check-in. Guests at this Beverly Hills hotel unwind in the quiet lobby-side restaurant or on the beautifully appointed terrace.

Amenity highlights: The Luxe Hotel's public areas are highlighted with muted colors and exotic-wood touches conceived by New York designer Vicente Wolf. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available throughout the hotel. The on-site Café Rodeo serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and features California cuisine and specialty cocktails. On warmer days, café seating flows outside onto the sidewalk.

Insider tip: Within two blocks of this Beverly Hills hotel are the boutiques of Armani, Cartier, Dior, Chanel, Fendi, Gucci, Lauren, and Tiffany. At Bijan, an advance appointment is required, and the average customer spends about $100,000 per visit.

Located in a complex with a bank, hair salon, juice bar, and postal store, the Ramada Plaza Hotel & Suites - West Hollywood attracts leisure travelers and entertainment-industry business travelers. The lobby has marble floors, modern leather sofas and chairs, and a giant black shag rug.

Guests enjoy all the wonderful things the Ritz-Carlton name conjures up—Gracious public areas, luxury amenities, and attentive service—all overlooking one of the world’s largest man-made marinas. The décor colors of rich marine and subdued blues, refreshed with soft gold and white accents reflect the hotel’s marina location. Business and leisure travelers blend with numerous newlyweds (and accompanying wedding parties) at this romantic hotel.

The large, marble-floored lobby is decorated with ornate columns, wingback armchairs, and tropical plants. Located eight blocks from the Los Angeles Convention Center, the Historic Mayfair Hotel attracts conventioneers and leisure travelers.

Renaissance Hollywood Hotel's brightly colored lobby, featuring modern artwork and rocket-shaped trash cans, bustles with business travelers, vacationers, and conference attendees. Guests mingle in the lobby lounge, the airy restaurant, or by the rooftop splash pool overlooking the Hollywood and Highland entertainment complex. Families enjoy the proximity to Universal Studios and the Hollywood Bowl.

What to expect: In the central atrium of this gleaming five-tower complex, glass elevator tubes whisk guests to their rooms. The 35-story Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites is often referred to as a "city within a city," thanks to its impressive array of shops, restaurants, bars, and recreation covering a full city block. Fountains and ponds create a refreshing ambiance in the midst of downtown's financial district. One of the city's top convention hotels, the Westin is particularly popular with business travelers.

Amenity highlights: Nineteen different dining options range from independently operated fast-food outlets in the busy atrium court to the 35th floor's L.A. Prime Steak House, with its marvelous views. The pièce de résistance is the revolving BonaVista Lounge on the 34th floor. The atrium's third level doubles as a jogging track, and open alcoves feature exercise equipment for those who prefer to flex in public. Wireless Internet access (surcharge) is available throughout the hotel.

Insider tip: On the fourth floor, through the glass doors between the pizzeria and the falafel eatery, is a garden and patio area-a peaceful spot away from the bustle.

Located 1.5 miles from Los Angeles International Airport, with complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle service, the Westin attracts business and leisure travelers with late-night or early-morning flights. Conference attendees congregate in the marble-columned Lobby Court lounge or outside the hotel’s large meeting rooms.