10 Affordable and Stylish Hotels in Los Angeles

Despite having all the makings of a pricey landmark hotel, the Normandie still clocks in under $200. It’s a wonder, too, given its roots in Hollywood history (the 1926 Jazz Age build is courtesy of Walker & Eisen, the architects behind the iconic United Artists Theatre) and $5 million makeover that artfully combines contemporary with old-world. The grand lobby has a stone fireplace and terrazzo tiling while the 94 Art Deco rooms feature hardwood floors and brassy light fixtures, along with fiber-optic WiFi. What we love most: the hotel's outpost of LA's cult classic, Cassell’s Burgers, for the late-night munchies.

There’s a lot to love about the American debut of funky French-based hotel chain Mama Shelter in Hollywood—the chalkboard lobby ceiling; the whimsical Bert and Ernie bedposts, Darth Vader lamps, and iMacs in all 70 rooms; the vending machines that spit out granola. But it’s the price point (often less than $200 a night) that will make you feel like you’ve really gotten away with something. Don't miss checking out the views of the Hollywood sign from the roof deck, which has been transformed into a sceney bar and restaurant with mismatched chairs, foosball, and a host of rotating DJs.

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If you’re looking for a low-key hideout close to the shore, this is it. Fashion photographer Glen Luchford fell in love with Venice Beach when he came to photograph Dennis Hopper in 1993—so much so that he decided to open a place where he could host his friends and fellow artists. The result: The Rose Hotel, a shabby-chic, 11-room inn that exemplifies the bohemian spirit of the neighborhood. If the beachy, neutral interiors (all whites and woods) with salvaged furniture, venetian blinds, and framed art (some by Luchford himself) don't woo you, and daily deliveries from Stumptown coffee and Moon Juice—not to mention the closeness of the beach—surely will.

While less centrally located than its sister property in West Hollywood, this 32-room boutique has much more going for it: a destination Southern restaurant, a prime spot on one of LA’s best retail strips, and a rate almost unheard of this side of Melrose. Inside, the look is fashionably undone while still being hip—think mismatched furniture and haphazardly stacked books in the lobby and rooms done up with corkboard accent walls, industrial lighting, with not a single alarm clock or phone in sight.

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A former 1927 Spanish Gothic film house and tower is now one of LA’s hippest stays, thanks to the genius pairing of Ace and Commune Design. Details nod to the building’s storied past—there are checkerboard floors, stained glass, and Art Deco chandeliers that illuminate walls layered with old movie scripts—while rooms make a simple statement with concrete walls, factory windows, and Revo Radios (some even come with acoustic guitars). Of course, the story at any Ace property is all about the scene, and that’s no different here: stars and locals rub shoulders at the Mezzanine and rooftop bar, and the jaw-dropping restored theater seats up to 1,600 for screenings and performances.

The five bedrooms, or “chapters,” at this whimsical bolthole above a bar in trendy Los Feliz tell the unique story of George Covell, a fictional writer whose journey takes him from his hometown of Oklahoma to New York, France, India, and beyond. Whether you choose Chapter 2, modeled after a 1950s Manhattan apartment with built-in shelving and Eames furniture, or Chapter 3, the Parisian bijou of Covell’s girlfriend featuring a blush-pink armchair and rosewood credenza, you can rest assured you'll never have a hotel experience quite like this.

Tudor-style cottages. Stone-lined pathways. Pastoral English gardens. No, this is not the Cotswolds. This is The Charlie, Chaplin's former pied-à-terre hidden away in West Hollywood where stars like Marilyn Monroe and Natalie Portman have come to escape the paparazzi. The 14 bungalows—mostly one- and two-bedroom suites that come fully equipped with modern kitchens, washers and dryers, and entry patios—are more like personal homes than rentals, and the neighborhood feels exclusive and residential. There's no question the hotel is decidedly more modest than its flashier hotel neighbors, but it's a steal in terms of sheer character and atmosphere.

Blink and you might miss this unmarked bed and breakfast, set off on a tree-lined side street in Beverly Hills. But there’s more here than meets the eye. Inside, designer Kelly Wearstler has created a fantasy world of lush colors and lusher furnishings: the lobby lounge is done up in gothic tones of black and crimson, while upstairs, 44 themed rooms in shades like scarlet and tangerine take a page from French bordellos with their wallpapered ceilings, velvet headboards, mirrored dressers, and tassel room keys. But the low rate does involve a few caveats: there’s no restaurant, bar, or pool on site (guests have access to those at the nearby Mosaic Hotel).

Movie buffs will want to add this historic 46-room sleep to their bucket list. The 1920s Renaissance Revival building, built by Harry Culver (his office is still on the second floor) and owned for a time by Charlie Chaplin and John Wayne, welcomed scores of Hollywood stars during Culver City’s movie-making golden years including Clark Gable and Judy Garland, along with casts from Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz. Today, it shines brighter than ever thanks to a renovation that brought in parquet floors, antique armoires, crystal chandeliers, and vintage flea market finds that keep the sense of history alive.

Finding a place that pleases both kids and adults might feel like an uphill battle, but The Garland fits the bill. Built in the 70s for small-time Hollywood actress Beverly Garland, the seven-acre property underwent a $20 million reno that brought it into the present day—think contemporary orange-gray-cream rooms (some have bunk beds and separate TV spaces) with private balconies, an updated fitness center, and fun-for-most-ages activities like foosball, drive-in movies on the lawn, and free wine tastings. At the heated central pool, kids can splash to their heart’s delight while everyone else lounges under umbrellas or in the hot tub or sips cucumber mules from the poolside bar. Our all-time favorite perk? The complimentary trolley that whisks guests to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Universal Studios. (Harry Potter, here we come.)