4* The Hoxton, Downtown LA

The former Mondrian has entered a new chapter as The Valorian Los Angeles, Curio Collection by Hilton, keeping its prime Sunset Strip address but giving the whole property a fresh identity. White Rabbit Sky Lounge now takes over the famous rooftop, with a pool, DJs, cocktails and huge views across Los Angeles. There’s also Casa Madera downstairs, while the hotel’s complimentary house car can drop guests within two miles — particularly useful when you’re heading down to the gay bars on Santa Monica Boulevard. You can walk to much of West Hollywood, but that car service makes evenings considerably easier after a long day. GayMapper tip: a strong option if you want the social energy of a Sunset Strip hotel and quick access to the gay scene rather than actually sleeping above it.

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.

Staying aboard The Queen Mary is really a trip within a trip. The historic ocean liner remains permanently moored on the Long Beach waterfront, with original Art Deco details, wood-panelled staterooms, exhibitions and guided tours bringing its transatlantic history to life. Long Beach has its own LGBTQ+ community and nightlife, so there’s plenty to do without heading north every evening. Just remember that this is not a sensible base for West Hollywood or central LA sightseeing — Los Angeles distances are very real, and you’re a long way south. Restaurants, bars and events aboard the ship mean you can quite happily make the Queen Mary part of the destination rather than simply somewhere to sleep. GayMapper tip: perfect if the ship itself appeals, or you’re combining Long Beach with a cruise — less perfect if your holiday revolves around WeHo.

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.

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.

For a nightlife-led trip, Ramada Plaza by Wyndham West Hollywood Hotel & Suites gets one important thing very right: you’re directly on Santa Monica Boulevard, with many of WeHo’s LGBTQ+ bars and clubs within an easy walk. The hotel itself is straightforward and a little old-school compared with West Hollywood’s design hotels, but that can translate into noticeably better rates in a neighbourhood where rooms are rarely cheap. There’s an outdoor pool and fitness room, and you’ve got restaurants, cafés and everyday shops immediately around you. The central WeHo location also makes Beverly Hills, Melrose and the Sunset Strip relatively easy to reach. GayMapper tip: choose it for location and value — particularly if you expect to spend considerably more time in the gay bars than admiring your hotel lobby.