Book rooms and compare rates on hotels in West Hollywood during Gay Pride.
All of the hotels in this small city enveloped by the larger city of Los Angeles are ostensibly gay-friendly, but the properties up along Sunset Boulevard, which tend to be the fanciest and are also a longer walk from Santa Monica Boulevard gay bars, cater to a more mainstream - albeit well-heeled - clientele.
There's just one hotel in West Hollywood located directly on the Boys Town section of the Santa Monica Boulevard bar strip, the moderately priced Ramada Plaza Hotel West Hollywood. Despite being identified with a mediocre brand, the Ramada has been nicely maintained over the years and has an unbeatable location for fans of nightlife.
Within about a block of Santa Monica Boulevard's bars, four different independent, upscale but still reasonably priced hotels are located on quiet residential streets. These include the Petit Ermitage and the Chamberlain West Hollywood, which are steps just north of GLBT bars and restaurants yet well-cloistered from noise and traffic; Le Montrose Suite Hotel, which is just slightly farther north and west of the action but still very convenient; and Le Parc Suite Hotel, which lies just a couple of blocks south of the strip, putting it closer to the fashion and design scene along Melrose Avenue. Although these four hotels are unrelated, they share certain similarities, as each is an all-suite hotel with sizable rooms, most of them with kitchenettes and lots of room to spread out. They're all good bets if you want to be in the heart of the action, are planning a longer stay, and prefer being off of a main thoroughfare. These four hotels typically offer rates in the $200 to $300 range, and the Ramada often comes in even lower, sometimes down around $150 nightly.
Up along Sunset Boulevard, which is several blocks up the hill from Santa Monica, you can choose among some of the hippest and most stylish hotels in metro Los Angeles. Just keep in mind that the top properties in this area will set you back a pretty penny. A wonderful choice along here is the striking Andaz West Hollywood (formerly the Hyatt), which sits up high on a bluff with spectacular views of the city (facing south) and the hills (if you book a room facing north). The rooftop pool here is fabulous, and RH Restaurant and Bar on the lobby level is one of neighborhood's best-kept secrets. The Andaz is upscale, but not over-the-top pricey.
Other good choices on (or just off of) Sunset include the stunning and ultra-posh London West Hollywood, the stylish Sunset Marquis, and the historic Chateau Marmont - a favorite crash pad of celebs. Set inside a dramatic art deco building with wonderful views, the Sunset Tower Hotel is also a top luxury option, and the see-and-be-seen Mondrian is a favorite of partiers (just beware somewhat uneven service). Surprisingly affordable, given its location amid several much fancier neighbors, the Best Western Plus Sunset Plaza Hotel is a fantastic bargain.
If you're on a tight budget and require a basic, no-frills accommodation that's close to gay bars and the Boys Town scene, you might consider the Holloway Motel. It's about as no-frills as you can get, but it's in a safe area, and the rates are rock-bottom.
Here are quick links to the other pages that make up the West Hollywood Gay Guide:
Getting to Know West Hollywood
Getting to West Hollywood - the Lay of the Land
West Hollywood 2013/2014 Events Calendar - West Hollywood Gay Travel Resources
Exploring West Hollywood - Cool Neighborhoods and Attractions
West Hollywood Restaurant Guide
West Hollywood Gay Bar Guide
