A home-from-home hideaway with rooms you won't want to leave, Hotel 850 SVB is a beacon of calm amid frenetic West Hollywood. Solo travelers should opt for the cornflower-blue Carriage Room, which comes with its own mini, private library, while the One Bedroom Suite is a roomier choice - think: an al fresco dining table on the terrace with panoramic views over the city. A solid base for shopping and bar-hopping along Santa Monica Boulevard - it's also a good launching off point for a hike up Runyon Canyon.

At Palihouse West Hollywood guests are made to feel at home. Designed for those seeking a longer stay, all suites come with high-spec kitchenettes and also include a washer and dryer. This may all sound like a far cry from holiday living, but trust us Pali House is a far cry from the everyday. It's peacefully located in WeHo, so guests can enjoy all of LA's best bits - the Sunset Strip, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice and so on - without any of the accompanying mayhem. An artful muddle of modern and mid-century touches, the lobby-set Palihouse Bar is decorated with Persian rugs, pretty tiled flooring and mismatched sofas, while the bistro-style courtyard restaurant, Mardi, is a Francophile's delight.

Set on a leafy residential block in West Hollywood, The Chamberlain is within an easy drive of most of Los Angeles' sights and hotspots. Those without a car (you know you're in LA, right?) need only stroll a few blocks from base to be in the thick of the Sunset Strip, amid storied drinking dens and modish shops. Return to your temporary abode, where you'll be greeted by a tree-shaded patio at Fits - a stylish café exclusively for guests - where you'll feast on Mediterranean-inspired California cuisine. For more casual fare, head up to the roofdeck and claim a server (or cabana) and order from the room-service menu.

At one of LA's starriest addresses, days are best approached at a leisurely pace. Sip on a cucumber mojito while lounging by the pool under a beige-and-white, frilled-trim parasol until lunchtime. All that chilling in the SoCal sunshine is sure to work up an appetite. When hunger strikes, wander down to your table at the casual Terrace restaurant which serves up assorted small bites. Take a break from the sun and check into one of the Premier Suites with curved walls and generously sized terraces. Come dinner time, the only place to be seen is the Tower Bar and Restaurant. Its menu focuses on fresh local ingredients, while taking inspiration from northern Italy and French bistros.

Secreted away, the entrance to this boutique hotel is via a foliage strewn tunnel. The corridors are dark and higgledy-piggledy too, lined with an eclectic collection of art, while bedrooms are low-lit, sultry and furnished with vintage touches. On the roof, you'll find a verdant dining area and the in-demand pool lined with striped sunbeds. Enjoy a sundowner, under strings of twinkling fairy lights. For dinner, the ironically named petit steak (it's not very small) is a must-order and the cookie platter is the only follow-up worth considering. Come morning, head out for a pre-breakfast ramble around Sunset Boulevard and nearby Rodeo Drive.