If you’re staying in a city like Los Angeles you know you won’t have to search far for hotels that are just a little bit different. Here are ten of the best unusual and cool hotels in Los Angeles to suit all budgets (in no particular order):

1. Custom Hotel

The only boutique hotel located within a mile of the Los Angeles International Airport, the Custom hotel is great option for anyone staying in the city on a short trip. Contemporary but whimsical you’ll find sheep hanging around in the lobby and dog face duvets in the guest rooms. Canine decor aside, the rooms also features customised details and modern amenities such flat-screen TV’s free Wi-Fi and an iPod docking station. Head downstairs to grab a cocktail in the wood-panelled lobby bar or DJ lounge. Outside you really should try to make the most of the outdoor pool, surrounded by stadium seating, cabanas and a funky fire pit. Affordable and accessible boutique accommodation.

• Prices from $59 a night.
• To check prices or availability for Custom Hotel

2. The Standard Hotel Downtown Los Angeles

This retro-modern hotel is also home to one of the coolest bars in town. The mid-century metropolitan building – once the headquarters of the Superior Oil company – now offers pop-culture inspired accommodation. The Standard has 207 spacious rooms to choose from handily ranging from the cheap to the expensive. Nice touches include oversized bath tubs, mood lighting and platform beds in every room. The decor is both fun and interesting – think Sixties era prints, kitsch but stylish furniture and pod-esque rooftop pool cabanas which come with their very own vibrating waterbeds. Definitely a place to be seen.

• Prices from $80 a night.
• To check prices or availability for The Standard Hotel Downtown

3. Hotel Erwin

Part of the creative Joie de Vivre hotel chain, Hotel Erwin claims to be the premiere Venice Beach hotel. Nicely reflecting the Venice beach vibe, the Erwin is suitably budget-conscious but has a style that’s not afraid to be different. Here you’ll find a restaurant called Hash and the highest rooftop lounge on the boardwalk named High. All the rooms have designer schemes etched with contemporary art and typically Californian retro chic. You’ll find flat screen TVs, iPod sound systems and free Wi-Fi. If you’re willing to spend a little more, you could find yourself waking up to ocean view or even in a ‘surf suite’ which features DJ turntables and an enormous two-person tub. Great for free spirits looking to be beside the sea.

• Prices from $130 a night.
• To check prices or availability for Hotel Erwin

4. Farmer’s Daughter Hotel

Cooler than a hoe-down but quirky enough to have bags of character, the critically acclaimed yet unpretentious Farmer’s Daughter is a popular choice in the city. In this recently renovated budget boutique hotel is where country kitsch meets LA modern – think bright colours, rooster-print wall paper, rocking chairs and plenty of gingham. Guests are also invited to their free cheese and wine hour and also to dine at their locally famous TART Restaurant. Here you will find a cozy atmosphere and more helpings of California comfort food than you’ll probably ever need.

• Prices from $150 a night.
• To check prices or availability for Farmer’s Daughter Hotel

5. Villa Delle Stelle

Villa Delle Stelle translates from Italian into “house of the stars”and in this small boutique hotel and  Rental Property they will aim to treat you like one. The luxurious historic mansion was converted into a unique 6-suite boutique hotel by acclaimed Hollywood designer (and former wife of Dudley Moore) Brogan Lane. Each of the original suites are Hollywood celebrity themed and are decorated with their own style – English, Art Deco, Parisian. More suites were later added due to popular demand and all offer apartment-style lodging complete with a full kitchen, separate living room, flat-screen cable TVs and DVD player. You’ll even find services on offer such as in-room massages, private chefs or your very own personal trainer ensuring you too can live like a celebrity, even if it’s only for a few days..

• Prices from $130 a night.
• To check prices or availability for Villa Delle Stelle

6. Figueroa Hotel

Built in 1925, this former YWCA has been turned into an affordable boutique hotel. With its hostelling days now just a distant memory, the Figueroa is now both creative and distinctive with an early California Mission style and more than a hint of Moroccan/Mexican exoticism. In the lobby you’ll find East African chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, gigantic cacti and coloured woven rugs which wouldn’t look out of place in a Souk bazaar. Head outside to find an atmospheric floodlit swimming pool surrounded by an ornately tiled pool side bar. The spacious rooms are no less striking with Casbah-chic decor and Mexican-tiled bathrooms.

• Prices from $95 a night.
• To check prices or availability for Figueroa Hotel

7. Cadillac Hotel

Once a beach hostel and the former summer residence of film legend Charlie Chaplin, the Cadillac has now been lovingly transformed into an adored boutique hotel. The historical art deco building – built in 1905 -  is located right on Venice beach broadwalk and is a good choice for design lovers on a budget. Fitting right in with the ‘Venice vibe’ the Cadillac displays work from local artists and has an art deco theme throughout. The bright and airy rooms are tastefully decorated with funky pastel shades and also expect to find eco bath products, plasma TVs and free Wi-Fi.

• Prices from $109 per night.
• To check prices or availability for Cadillac Hotel

8. Sky Hotel

A fashionable mid-range boutique hotel located in trendy West Los Angeles. The style is chic and serene – aiming to create an urban oasis away from the city hassles. The contemporary rooms contain custom-made furnishings and all the modern essentials such as free Wi-Fi and flat screen TVs with cable channels. Reasonably priced designer accommodation in an excellent location.

• Prices from $120
• To check prices or availability for Sky Hotel

9. Hollywood Celebrity Hotel

This themed hotel is most suited to movie fans on a budget. It’s based in the heart of the entertainment capital and within walking distance of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The two star hotel has a 1930s glamour theme (complete with quirky murals of film star legends) and the feel of a comfortable bed and breakfast. They also welcome both pets and small children.

• Prices from $95 a night.
• To check prices or availability for Hollywood Celebrity Hotel

10. Stay Hotel

There aren’t many boutique hostels, but downtown based ‘Stay’ aims to change all that. The hotel/hostel hybrid offers fun but no frills accommodation for a very good price. Catering to the savvy modern traveller, the style is edgy, colourful and a little quirky. Depending on your budget you can choose from a variety of room types ranging from private rooms with private baths to shared rooms with shared bathrooms. Great for groups, young couples or those on a tight budget.

• Prices from $22 a night.
• To check prices or availability for Stay Hotel

More choice – other popular and unique hotels in Los Angeles

• O Hotel – Urban boutique hotel in downtown LA with very good room rates from $90pn
• The Redbury@Hollywood and Vine – Ultra-trendy vintage chic hotel from $160pn
• Venice Beach Suites & Hotel – Retro budget hotel right on Venice Beach from $85pn
• Cecil Hotel – Refurbished European style budget hotel offering great deals from $30pn
• W Los Angeles Westwood - Popular luxurious design hotel in a central location from $180pn
• Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel – Mid-range design hotel in Hollywood location from $140pn
• Chamberlain Hotel West Hollywood – Stylish design hotel in West Hollywood from $160pn
• Andaz West Hollywood Hotel – Part of the acclaimed design hotel group from $180pn
• Ambrose – Boutique hotel located in affluent Santa Monica district from $140pn
• Shade Hotel – Manhattan Beach Boutique hotel with a definite wow factor from $250pn

We also have other hotel posts including where to find the cool hotels in San Francisco, cool hotels in New York and Miami boutique hotels.

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