California Hotels & Hostels (1133)

Lonely Planet review

It's close quarters in more ways than one at the uber-social, party-hopping Banana Bungalow. Pre-noon beers being slugged by international backpackers, on the gregarious beach-fronting patio, isn…

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Lonely Planet review

Part hotel, part apartment building, the 25-room, family-owned Halcyon has small rooms and a few snappy-looking mismatched antiques. The color scheme is warm and inviting, and best of all it's a …

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Lonely Planet review

A fake fireplace, imitation flowers and faux-crystal chandeliers greet your arrival in the lobby of the Grant Plaza. But these details are worth overlooking in favor of bargain room rates and a c…

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Lonely Planet review

Art freaks: finally a budget hotel for you. Part gallery, part hotel, Hotel des Art showcases rooms with jaw-dropping murals by different up-and-coming street artists. It's like sleeping inside a…

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Lonely Planet review

Say 'good night,' not 'good grief,' in a Snoopy-themed room at this nine-story hotel bordering Knott's Berry Farm and its beloved Camp Snoopy. In fact, while your kids are hugging the beagle, you…

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Lonely Planet review

A tourist-class hotel with stylish details, the Mosser has tiny rooms and tinier baths, but rates are a bargain. If only the service were better.

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Lonely Planet review

Built in 1902, the oh-so-civilized Hotel Majestic holds a torch for traditional elegance. The lobby is decked out with crystal chandeliers and potted palms, and every room has sculpted pastel car…

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Lonely Planet review

Throw some of the pennies you save into one of the waterfall-fed ponds inside and outside this expansive hotel. This chain is one of the best buys for quality on the conveniently located, if a li…

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Lonely Planet review

Charlie Chaplin once stayed in this country inn, the city's oldest continually-operating lodging. The Spanish-style units have southwest decor (think Native American weaving patterns and rough-he…

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Lonely Planet review

A Holiday Inn until 2008, this conveniently located property has received a cheery, European-style makeover punctuated by black & white 1940s-era glamor shots of Hollywood stars. The hotel is in …

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Lonely Planet review

Deep in the down-and-out Tenderloin, the Bijou stands in disregard of its gritty surroundings, a safe haven for midrange travelers looking for a bit of style on the cheap. Rooms are decorated wit…

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Lonely Planet review

With a Mediterranean-meets-California feel, the picturesque La Pensione Hotel is a great-value choice in the lovely Little Italy. It is temptingly close to the district's eateries and bistros, ca…

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Lonely Planet review

Built immediately after the 1906 earthquake, the San Remo is long on charm, though short on amenities. For the price, it's one of the best deals in town - but you have to be OK with sharing a bat…

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Lonely Planet review

If you prefer high heels to hiking boots and classical elegance over fashion-forward trends, but can't afford the Ritz, you'll appreciate the European tastefulness of the Warwick Regis.

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Lonely Planet review

This mission-style seven-acre complex wears country club airs, with trams whisking guests past an on-site restaurant, two pools and spa. In fact, at first glance, it seems you'd never need (or wa…

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Lonely Planet review

At the edge of the downtown waterfront overlooking San Francisco Bay, the Harbor Court exudes a certain chic, with a burnt-orange, brick-red and royal-purple color palette in the lounge-like lobb…

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Lonely Planet review

A brick wall runs the length of the lobby at this understated five-story boutique hotel, once a boarding house for sailors. Since it's right at the edge of San Francisco bay, the water views from…

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Lonely Planet review

The first thing you need to know about the Metropolis is that it's in a lousy neighbourhood. But if hookers and sirens don't bother you, you'll get more bang for your buck here than you would eve…

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Lonely Planet review

Among the cookie-cutter chain hotels along Century Blvd near LAX, the Sheraton Gateway stands out for its stunning combo of designer-savvy decor and intimate, boutique-style service, despite a hu…

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Lonely Planet review

If Lord of the Flies springs to mind at the sight of unattended moppets dashing past with ice buckets, then Vacation Village might not be for you. This 130-room, oceanfront complex exudes a summe…

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Lonely Planet review

Understated rooms are a relaxing antidote to busy days on business or the tourist track. Besides an intimate lobby and sophisticated restaurant, elegant touches at this first-class European-style…

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Lonely Planet review

No longer affiliated with Best Western, the revamped Bay Shores is kicking sand in the face of competitors with a fresh and sassy, sun-kissed style. From Endless Summer murals to surf-print wallp…

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Lonely Planet review

This 1923 landmark exudes the grandeur of a European palace and has hosted a galaxy of presidents, celebrities and royalty. Rooms, sheathed in soothing gold and ivory hues, feature all the trappi…

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Lonely Planet review

San Francisco's first all-green hotel opened in 2006, and uses sustainably grown wood, chemical-free cleaning products and recycled fabrics in its soothingly quiet rooms. Rooms have luxe touches …

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Lonely Planet review

The 26-room Petite Auberge bows to Gallic culture, with French-provincial furnishings and a sunny yellow color scheme. But the inn isn't fussy or pretentious, and depending on when you come, room…

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Lonely Planet review

This boutique hotel, housed in the former villa of silent movie star Lillian Gish, offers a sleek and soulful Parisian boudoir atmosphere. The look is French kiss meets the Far East - and it's lo…

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Lonely Planet review

With a marina-side outdoor venue, Humphrey's has hosted countless performers, as varied as Cyndi Lauper, Patti LaBelle, INXS, Joe Cocker and Bill Cosby. The summer season is a primo time to stay …

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Lonely Planet review

Modern and efficient, the Omni puts you within steps of Downtown's cultural hubs. The oversized accommodations lack no amenities but can't quite shake that generic, if comfortable, chain-hotel fe…

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Lonely Planet review

The designers of the Standard Hotels in Downtown LA and West Hollywood have refashioned this once dowdy tower in their own image. Industrial-chic rooms and public spaces attract entertainment ind…

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Lonely Planet review

Like a plain Jane living near the docks, the Pacific Inn gets the suitors simply because she's there. And 'there' is a busy street - it's a very good place for this 71-room, nothing-fancy inn tha…

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Lonely Planet review

Mid-century modern meets new-millennium amenities at this stylish ice-blue boutique hotel. Rooms vamp it up with vintage Nelson bubble lamps and Eames cabinets, and the pool has a sexy hourglass …

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Lonely Planet review

This venerable 1924 property hosted many classic stars - Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, John Wayne and the Munchkins from The Wizard of Oz among them - while they were shooting films at nearby studios…

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Lonely Planet review

Traditionalists appreciate the look of the Inn at Union Square, with its Queen Anne wing chairs, floral-pattern fabrics and brass lion's-head guestroom door knockers. And if you're into shopping …

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Lonely Planet review

You get more bang for your buck at the Laurel Inn than at most downtown hotels. Rooms are bigger than average and have a colorful, up-to-date look; many have full kitchens. The trade-off? You'll …

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Lonely Planet review

One of San Francisco's most famous hotels, the original Palace was the ultimate in luxury when it opened in 1875. The post-earthquake fire of 1906 reduced the hotel to an ash pile, but it rose ag…

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Lonely Planet review

Spanish Colonial architecture and delicious gossip rendezvous at this reinvented hotel, a Hollywood fixture since 1927. The handsome lobby retains the original Spanish flair, but rooms, pool and …

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Lonely Planet review

Facing the western edge of Golden Gate Park, the Stanyan Park Hotel occupies a stately Victorian building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The rooms are completely up-to-date, …

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Lonely Planet review

Just because you want to stay at touristy Fisherman's Wharf, it doesn't mean that you have to settle for a plain-Jane chain hotel like the Marriott or Hyatt. The Tuscan Inn is just as comfortable…

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Lonely Planet review

The indecisive will have trouble picking a room at this maze-like hotel on the border of Disney's California Adventure. Deluxe rooms, premier suites, family suites, kid's suites - it's a 187-room…

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Lonely Planet review

Built in the 1940s, this cheerful yellow, squeaky-clean place is only steps from the sand. Surf-inspired decor, hardwood floors, luxury mattresses, super friendly staff and free email ensure a gr…

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