Hotel Angeleno

This is the westside's most urban hotel, perhaps, and with maybe the seediest history: used to be a Best Western, the kind that hipsters had ironic birthdays at. Now it's perfectly lovely—the bar hosts birthdays of a different vibe—with a balcony in every nicely-appointed room. Request one with city-to-ocean views. Valet only, and not exactly over-the-top luxury, but the pool area is so nice you'll forget the 405's just behind the retaining wall.