3* Hampton Inn Santa Monica

The Hoxton, Downtown LA makes a convincing case for staying in DTLA rather than automatically defaulting to West Hollywood. Its historic Broadway building sits close to restaurants, theatres, the Fashion District and South Park, with Metro stations within walking distance. The ground floor is lively throughout the day, while the rooftop pool gives you skyline views and a place to switch off above the traffic. Rooms are stylish but intentionally compact, so much of the experience happens in the hotel’s shared spaces and restaurants. WeHo is a journey from here, but Downtown has its own bars and nightlife and works well if your LA plans stretch far beyond the gay strip. GayMapper tip: a good choice if you like busy neighbourhood hotels and want DTLA to be part of the experience rather than somewhere you merely visit.

Hotel 850 SVB feels more like staying in an exceptionally stylish West Hollywood guesthouse than checking into a conventional four-star hotel. There are just 23 rooms, with a shared living room, kitchen and rooftop terrace creating a much more residential atmosphere. The location is excellent for LGBTQ+ travellers. You’re on San Vicente Boulevard, with the main Santa Monica Boulevard gay bars close enough to walk to, while Beverly Hills begins only a few streets away. Continental breakfast is served each morning and there’s a complimentary wine hour in the evening, which gives the place a friendly social element without turning it into a party hotel. GayMapper tip: a lovely couples’ choice if you want intimate boutique style and gay WeHo practically on the doorstep.

Hotel Erwin throws you straight into Venice Beach, with the boardwalk and sand less than a minute from the lobby. This is LA at its most colourful — skaters, surfers, street performers, bars and plenty of characters all sharing the same few blocks. Many rooms have balconies and ocean views, but the rooftop is the real highlight. Kassi Venice Beach combines cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired food with some excellent Pacific sunsets, so you don’t necessarily need to leave the hotel for a good evening. Abbott Kinney is nearby for shopping and restaurants, while Santa Monica is easily reached up the coast. West Hollywood is a completely different excursion. GayMapper tip: go for Venice energy, ocean sunsets and people-watching — not because you intend to commute to WeHo every night.

Space is one of the big luxuries at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills. Even the entry-level accommodation is suite-sized, and many rooms have balconies looking across Los Angeles or towards the Hollywood Hills. You’re at the western end of the Sunset Strip, with the gay bars around Santa Monica Boulevard an easy walk downhill. Beverly Hills lies just beyond the neighbourhood, so Rodeo Drive, WeHo restaurants and nightlife can all fit comfortably into the same stay. The rooftop pool has some excellent views, while breakfast is included — still surprisingly unusual at this end of the hotel market. GayMapper tip: particularly good for couples who want proper five-star space and service while keeping West Hollywood nightlife close enough to reach on foot.

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is for the full LA luxury experience: huge rooms with terraces, a rooftop pool overlooking the city and Rodeo Drive just a few minutes away. This is Beverly Hills rather than West Hollywood, so you won’t walk from here to the gay bars. The upside is a much calmer, more polished setting, excellent service and a location that works beautifully for shopping, restaurants and a special-occasion trip. The La Prairie Spa adds another reason to linger, while the rooftop is one of the better places in Beverly Hills for sunset views. There are some properly Beverly Hills touches too: the concierge can arrange the hotel’s complimentary local house car, while selected Suite Ride packages even include use of a Bentley or Rolls-Royce during your stay. GayMapper tip: choose it when the hotel itself is part of the occasion and you’re perfectly happy taking a car to WeHo when it’s time to go out.

Sitting right where Beverly Hills meets West Hollywood, Hotel Beverly Terrace gives you a quieter neighbourhood base without putting the gay bars too far away. Santa Monica Boulevard and the western end of the WeHo scene are comfortably walkable, while Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills lie in the other direction. This is a small mid-century hotel rather than a glossy resort, with just 39 rooms wrapped around a leafy courtyard. Café Amici downstairs is a popular neighbourhood Italian restaurant, and the roof terrace is a pleasant spot when you want some LA sunshine without committing to a full pool day. There are plenty of cafés, restaurants and shops around Doheny and nearby Robertson too. GayMapper tip: particularly good if you want gay nightlife within walking distance but prefer a small, relaxed hotel rather than staying right in the middle of the party.