4* The Valorian Los Angeles

The Delphi Hotel occupies one of Downtown LA’s best-known mid-century buildings, formerly The Standard, and still carries some of that slightly cooler-than-average DTLA attitude. You’re in the Financial District, close to museums, restaurants and several Metro lines, with Bunker Hill and the Broad easily reached. The rooftop pool and bar give you somewhere to escape the streets below, while the building’s 1950s architecture adds far more character than most downtown hotels. This is a central-LA choice rather than a WeHo nightlife choice, so expect to travel when heading to the main gay strip. GayMapper tip: a good base if your plans involve Downtown culture, restaurants and events — with West Hollywood saved for selected nights rather than every evening.

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.

Petit Ermitage has always been one of West Hollywood’s more eccentric hotels, and thankfully nobody seems interested in sanding off the edges. The all-suite property is packed with artwork, fireplaces and richly layered interiors that feel much more private club than corporate hotel. Upstairs is the real attraction: a secluded rooftop garden, saltwater pool, cabanas and guest-only dining create a little world of their own above the city. You’re still firmly in West Hollywood, with the Santa Monica Boulevard gay scene comfortably walkable when you decide to rejoin civilisation. GayMapper tip: ideal for a romantic or slightly decadent weekend when you want nightlife nearby but also a hotel tempting enough to cancel some plans.

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.

Behind the gates of The Charlie Hotel, Los Angeles suddenly feels oddly English. The collection of Tudor-style bungalows and gardens was once owned by Charlie Chaplin and still feels more like a private Hollywood hideaway than a hotel. The individually named suites are unusually spacious, with full kitchens, living areas and washer-dryers, which makes this a particularly comfortable choice for a longer stay. Melrose and plenty of West Hollywood restaurants are close by, while the LGBTQ+ bars along Santa Monica Boulevard are walkable. There’s no big lobby scene or rooftop DJ here — privacy is very much the point. GayMapper tip: a charming alternative if you want gay West Hollywood nearby but prefer your LA fantasy to involve gardens, history and your own little bungalow.

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.