The most romantic hotels in Los Angeles

Blocks from the Sunset Strip, this luxe Spanish-style villa offers a lush refuge to rock stars (and guests who secretly feel like rock stars) with tranquil gardens, fine dining and celeb-endorsed spa treatments. The lush garden grounds are intimate and perfect for a romantic stroll. Or stop in for dinner on the romantic patio at the hotel’s restaurant, Cavatina (think: ivy-wrapped pillars and white twinkly lights).

Mood? Sexy rock n’ roll chic. 
Location perks? The mellower side of West Hollywood, while still being close to The Strip.
Budget range? A wide range of options.
Time Out tip: For $3,000 a year, a select few locals (15, to be exact) can score unfettered access to the Marquis pool. That’s 365 days of sunning, swimming, and star-sighting, plus access to events, wine and liquor tastings, and complimentary Sunday brunch.

Paradise awaits on an oceanside bluff in posh Rancho Palos Verdes. The picturesque resort is a mecca of relaxation, boasting a nine-hole golf course, spa, four pools (including adult-only options) and eight fine-dining restaurants. Accommodations range from the usual rooms and suites to larger, more luxurious bungalows, casitas and villas. Take a romantic cliff-side stroll or laze about on the beach – the romantic activities are plentiful.

Mood? Secluded luxury. 
Location perks? Beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island.
Budget range? Mid to high-end.
Time Out tip: Snuggle up next to a fire pit at Nelson’s overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

This elite and rather decadent Mission-style ’20s hotel, a dreamy getaway on 12 fairytale acres of lush landscaping, reopened in 2011 after a major two-year overhaul. The additions – which include new lofts and hillside suites, a La Prairie spa and fitness center, plus upgraded room features – are impressive. 

Mood? Sumptuous Californian elegance. 
Location perks? Near Bel-Air’s shopping mecca, North Rodeo Drive.
Budget range? Pricey.
Time Out tip: Got cash to burn? We recommend the Presidential Suite for the ultimate romantic getaway with its private courtyard and infinity pool.

Built in 1911, this craftsman-style inn is a hotel for those looking for a more personal, bed-and-breakfast-style stay. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s been faithfully restored and furnished with exceptional antique pieces; many of the rooms are named after characters with ties to the area (Venice founder Abbot Kinney, sometime local Charlie Chaplin). Each of the nine rooms has its own character and amenities, though four share a common bath. 

Mood? Cozy old-school charm. 
Location perks? Venice Beach, Marina Del Rey Beach and Venice Beach Boardwalk are close by. 
Budget range? Mid-range.
Time Out tip: Splash the cash on one of the more extravagant suites, which offer an ocean view, a fireplace, a patio or a private entrance – perfect for an idyllic loved-up retreat.

Culver City’s historic Culver Hotel was once the part-time residence of Old Hollywood greats such as Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo and Buster Keaton. The hotel has kept its vintage glamour over the years while still giving that intimate boutique feel. Sneak off to cuddle up on a couch in a dark corner or inside the hotel’s Velvet Lounge. The rooms feature crystal chandeliers and antique furnishings to continue the romance once you're in for the night.

Mood? Trad Hollywood glamour. 
Location perks? Round the corner from Sony Pictures Studio. 
Budget range? Mid-range.
Time Out tip: The hotel can arrange in-room spa services for guests.

The Millennium Biltmore is a sanctuary of old-school pomp and circumstance—think carved friezes, car-sized chandeliers, and afternoon tea service—that fits with its history as one of the oldest hotels in Los Angeles. Billed as "the birthplace of the Oscars", the crystal chandeliers, marble fountains and large tapestry covered windows are perfect for over-the-top romance. Next to such extravagance, the rooms can hardly compete, but they continue the same vibe in a more scaled-back way.

Mood? Old-school pomp and circumstance. 
Location perks? Plotted on Pershing Square and adjacent to Chinatown and the Arts District, the Biltmore is surrounded by hustle and bustle of any major metropolis, as well as museums, bars and galleries.
Budget range? Caters to various budgets.
Time Out tip: Order a Black Dahlia martini in the wood-and- granite Gallery Bar; the Biltmore was the last place that Hollywood’s most famous murder mystery victim was seen alive.

Built as an apartment block in the 1950s, this tower was converted into a hotel by businessman Ian Schrager and designer Philippe Starck in the mid ’90s and immediately became the hottest spot in the city. Rooms feature whimsically designed furniture and many have stunning views of the Los Angeles flats below. Amping up the romance factor is the hotel’s pool area, with large beds to cuddle up on.

Mood? Breezy Calfi glam. 
Location perks? In the centre of the Sunset Strip
Budget range? Mid-range.
Time Out tip: Visit Skybar, an open-air pavilion with a bar and a beautiful view at night.

Located in Hollywood, Mama Shelter’s rooms are equipped with props and a camera for fun in and out of the sheets. The hotel posts the photos to the public (yes, they are censored), but the props seem like they often promote sexy time. Also, not all of the rooms have a bathroom door, so the intimacy levels are, you know, upped pretty quickly.

Mood? Stylishly retro. 
Location perks? Centrally located without being caught in the Walk of Fame’s overwhelming mess.
Budget range? Budget-friendly.
Time Out tip: Mama Shelter Los Angeles has one of the best rooftops in the whole city. Cuddle under the stars while being equally dazzled by Hollywood’s twinkling lights below.

Located on the sand, close to Santa Monica’s shops and restaurants, this elegant and architecturally significant hotel is a local landmark. Most of the plush rooms and suites offer ocean and coastline views; for a really opulent stay, reserve one of the two-story penthouse suites or the super-deluxe presidential suite. While the hotel’s interior details don’t scream ‘romance’,  with the bright lights of the Santa Monica Pier in the distance and live music in the lobby every night, a stay at this hotel makes for a very romantic evening.

Mood? Seaside opulence. 
Location perks? One of the few hotels in LA located right on the beach.
Budget range? Pricey.
Time Out tip: Salon services can be enjoyed in one of five Mediterranean-style treatment rooms or, better yet, under a cabana on the fifth-floor pool deck.