California Hotels & Hostels (1358)

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

In a 1924 historic building, this budget deal has had a face-lift from its days when it was a rather more average Inn at the YMCA. There's no spa (unless you count the on-site YMCA fitness centre…

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Lonely Planet review

Connoisseurs of kitsch will hug their Hummels at the site of this alpine chalet (er, motel) that's covered to the top of its A-framed rafters with faux-snow and imagineered icicles. Curmudgeons, …

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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

Bargain-priced contempo cool. This former apartment complex has 48 rooms, all laid out differently but decorated with geometric carpeting and marble floors. Shared facilities include pool, Jacuzz…

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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

This budget property earns points for being the very first Motel 6 to 'leave the light on for you'. Though you won't score any 6.00 rooms, this trailblazing two-story motel is still one of the b…

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Lonely Planet review

The world needs its Charlie Browns. Its vanilla ice creams. Its Ford sedans. Those unsung, nothing-fancy heroes of the every day. Not too snooty, too glitzy, or too expensive. They just get the j…

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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

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

Too authentically 1962 to be called 'retro', this longstanding favorite sits on a six-acre campus in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. Its 190 reasonably proportioned rooms, mostly in a five-…

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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

Recently revamped, this four-story motel across from Disneyland spiffs up a heavily-traveled neighborhood with upgraded furniture and pots of flowers hanging from wrought-iron railings. The rooft…

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Lonely Planet review

You're right, chablis isn't made in Napa. But who cares, because the Chablis Inn has the best quality-to-value ratio anywhere in an otherwise overpriced town. The independently owned, clean motel…

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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

The sea is at the helm (well, across the road anyway) of Ocean Beach Hotel, so even if you don't score one of the ocean-view rooms, you'll be breathing the sweet 'n' salty air and frolicking on t…

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Lonely Planet review

If the mid-century cocktail glam of other local resorts leaves you cold, this may be the place for you. The 1947 Villa Royale has 31 cozy rooms and suites, all in three acres of charming Tuscan-s…

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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

Clean, cheap, and close-to-the action - what more could a budget traveller want? Shimmering in its whiteness at the corner of State and Arrellaga streets, three story El Prado sports a 70s-mod, s…

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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

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

From the outside, this two-storey motel looks pill-box sterile, but pop off its lid and you'll find well-kept rooms that back out onto views of mellow Ocean Beach. And pack your pooch - both the …

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Lonely Planet review

Doesn't everyone dream of waking up with a new identity? This three-story motel got its wish in 2005, shaking off the Days Inn label to re-emerge as the red-tiled, tan, and slightly more alluring…

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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

The hot-and-happening Phoenix Hotel is a favorite stopover for rock bands on tour and other Dionysian revelers. Built in 1956, the hotel is actually a revamped, two-story motor lodge, with every …

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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

Create your own comfortable Hillcrest nest - while cooking your very own food - in one of the studios or one-bedroom suites at this inn, just off the main drag. This is a no-nonsense place where …

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Lonely Planet review

Colorful retro touches, plenty of elbow room, a sparkling tiled pool and wi-fi internet access put this always-busy chain motel a few comfortable steps above the budget-minded norm. For more spac…

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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

Owner and actress Beverly Garland oversees this sprawling, well landscaped property with seven-story towers and Mission-style accents (paying homage to its location on the former El Camino Real).…

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Lonely Planet review

The Art Deco-style lobby is a promising overture. Even if it contrasts with the rooms (and especially bathrooms) which are a bit long in the tooth, guests prize their size (fairly large). Those w…

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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

Recently revamped, By the Sea Inn gleams like a suitor that cleans up nice. Sleek flat screens TVs, spiffy new mattresses, shiny hardwood floors, this bluff-top baby has an oh-so-sweet, post-show…

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