9 Best Budget Hotels in Los Angeles

A 9.2/10 score from over 3,600 Booking.com reviews — the highest in this entire list, and it's only a 3-star. Magic Castle Hotel is proof that stars don't tell the whole story. The palm-shaded pool, spotlessly clean rooms, and front desk staff that gets called out by name in almost every review explain why guests keep coming back. Location sits on Franklin Ave in Hollywood, 7 minutes from TCL Chinese Theatre by car, near the B Line Metro.

One honest note: parking costs extra, and Standard rooms run small — worth stepping up to Superior if the budget allows it.

citizenM knows exactly what it is: small rooms, five-star beds, and premium everything that matters to modern travelers. iPad-controlled everything, a Rooftop Bar with panoramic DTLA views, and a Metro station five minutes on foot. The 8.7/10 from 1,900+ reviews reflects guests who understood the trade-off and loved it anyway — compact space, outsized experience.

One clear caveat: every room is a small King (~150 sq ft). If you need twin beds or space to spread out, look elsewhere in this list.

Palihotel is LA's own indie hotel brand — each property designed to reflect its neighborhood rather than a corporate playbook. The Westwood Village location earns an 8.8/10 from 900+ reviews, outscoring several 4-star chain hotels in this list. On Wilshire Blvd, walking distance to UCLA, 15 minutes from Santa Monica by car — the right base if you're exploring the western half of LA and want something quieter than Hollywood.

One honest caveat: there's no Metro nearby. You'll need a car or Uber to get around.

Freehand LA runs both a hostel and a hotel in the same building — choose your budget, share the same Rooftop Pool and Broken Shaker bar. That bar has its own reputation; people come from across the city for it. The 8.5/10 from 2,800+ reviews reflects a property that delivers the same quality regardless of which room type you book. Situated between DTLA and Koreatown, with Metro access 10 minutes on foot.

Worth noting: the social atmosphere is a feature, not a bug — but if you want a quiet retreat, this isn't it.

Opened in 1926, Hotel Figueroa survived a century and came out the other side with a Moroccan-boho renovation that makes it one of the most visually distinct hotels in DTLA. The outdoor pool has become one of the more photographed spots in the area — it genuinely looks that good. Five minutes on foot to Crypto.com Arena means Lakers or Kings game nights turn the whole neighborhood electric. 8.4/10 from 1,500+ reviews.

One practical note: rates spike significantly on Arena event nights — book early if your trip overlaps with a big game or concert.

IHG's Hotel Indigo brand designs each property around its neighborhood's story — the DTLA location uses the Mexican-American heritage of South Park as its visual identity. The result is murals and artwork that feel deliberate rather than decorative, rooms that run larger than average for DTLA at comparable prices, and the reliable service that comes with IHG backing. 8.4/10 from 1,100+ reviews.

Location note: the South Park edge of DTLA is safe but quieter at night — restaurant and bar options nearby are more limited than around Pershing Square or the Arts District.

Hilton Checkers opened in 1927 — a legitimate historic DTLA building on Grand Ave that still runs as a full-service hotel. Three minutes on foot to 7th St/Metro Center, the best transit hub in the downtown grid connecting Blue, Expo, Red, and Purple Lines. The 8.5/10 from 1,400+ reviews reflects the reliability of Hilton's service standards applied to a property with actual character. The highest starting price in this list, but the Metro access is unmatched.

Straightforward choice if you're planning to use Metro extensively or want Hilton Honors points on a trip.

The LINE sits in the heart of Koreatown on Wilshire Blvd — walk out the door and you're surrounded by some of the best Korean BBQ, karaoke, and late-night spots in the entire city. Clean modern design, a rooftop pool with clear DTLA skyline views, and the in-house restaurant Openaire gets called out as genuinely good in the reviews. 8.3/10 from 2,100+ reviews. Koreatown consistently delivers the best price-per-quality ratio in LA, and The LINE is the best hotel in it.

Honest note: Koreatown has energy at night, especially on weekends. Lower-floor rooms facing Wilshire will hear it.

If the honest budget target is under $100 a night in LA, Hollywood Hostels is the most straightforward answer. An 8.2/10 from 600+ reviews confirms it's clean and safe — no small thing for a hostel in a major US city. Five minutes on foot to Hollywood/Highland Metro (B Line to DTLA), close to Walk of Fame. Dorm beds from $45, private rooms from $89. The location-to-price ratio is simply hard to beat anywhere else in LA at this tier.

The honest caveat: this is a hostel. If you need hotel amenities, privacy, or a quiet room, options 1–9 serve you better. This is the right pick for solo backpackers or budget-focused travelers who want location above all else.