4* Hotel Erwin, Venice Beach

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.

Ocean Lodge Santa Monica Beach Hotel has been sitting on Ocean Avenue since the 1950s, and its retro motel-style character is part of the appeal. More importantly, you’re just a few minutes from Santa Monica Pier and the sand. Rooms have been refreshed but remain fairly simple, with fridges and coffee makers rather than luxury-hotel extras. Restaurants line the surrounding streets, Venice is an easy trip south and the beachfront location means you can enjoy plenty of LA without getting into a car every morning. West Hollywood is another matter entirely, so don’t choose this expecting spontaneous nights on Santa Monica Boulevard. GayMapper tip: one of the better-value options if you want to wake up beside the Pacific and would rather spend your budget on the rest of the trip.

The turquoise Art Deco façade of The Georgian has been watching over Ocean Avenue since 1933, and after a major restoration it once again feels like one of Santa Monica’s genuinely special places to stay. Inside, the design leans enthusiastically into old Hollywood glamour without feeling like a theme hotel. Some suites have sweeping Pacific views, while the restored Georgian Room and oceanfront dining give evenings here a sense of occasion. Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade and the beach are all within a few minutes on foot, so this is a very easy place to enjoy without a car. GayMapper tip: the boutique splurge if you want history, style and the Pacific outside rather than West Hollywood nightlife on the doorstep.

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.

Kimpton La Peer West Hollywood sits in the Design District, where Melrose Avenue, galleries, restaurants and West Hollywood’s LGBTQ+ nightlife are all close enough to make this one of LA’s more pleasantly walkable stays. The mood is stylish without being intimidating, with a heated pool, Mediterranean dining and a lively cocktail bar. Kimpton’s social approach also helps: the evening wine hour gives the hotel a friendly energy that can be particularly welcome for solo travellers. The Abbey, Micky’s and the rest of the Santa Monica Boulevard strip are only a short walk north. GayMapper tip: still our favourite LA all-rounder — smart enough for a special trip, relaxed enough to feel comfortable, and brilliantly positioned for gay WeHo.

Tucked onto a quiet residential street just below Sunset Boulevard, Montrose at Beverly Hills keeps you close to West Hollywood while giving you considerably more space than many hotels in the area. The suite-style rooms come with living areas, fireplaces and, in many cases, kitchenettes and balconies. Up on the roof there’s a pool plus tennis and pickleball, with views stretching across the city. Santa Monica Boulevard’s gay nightlife is walkable, as are the Sunset Strip and restaurants around West Hollywood, so you can leave the car behind for a surprising amount of the trip. GayMapper tip: especially useful for longer stays or anyone who likes the freedom of a suite but still wants WeHo nightlife within walking distance.