The best budget hotels in Los Angeles for A-list stays without the price tag

One of the coolest players on Downtown LA’s ever-growing accommodation scene, this hotel-hostel hybrid is one that stays in your memory. On entering, you get the sense you’re walking into a hipster reincarnation of the Overlook Hotel – the completely wood-panelled and pillared lobby area is dotted with sunset-hued walls, potted cacti and Native American-esque textiles and detailing. Everyone, especially the reception staff, is friendly, approachable and helpful. There are 167 private rooms, and 59 shared dorms which all feature solid wood furniture and more Navajo styling.

With its industrial-style décor, inventive food and drink offerings and in-house nightclub, this trendy hotel in LA’s Koreatown draws a cool, young crowd. Like the clientele, the majority of the staff here are stylish 20-somethings, and all know the best local late-night karaoke bar or noodle shop. The hotel has an outdoor pool deck on the second floor, complimentary Linus bikes on hand to explore the neighbourhood and a small-but-perfectly-formed fitness centre with Kinesis equipment. There’s also a roster of regular events for guests, including Tai Chi every Sunday.

Here you have a pioneering 13-storey hipster hotel with a halls of residence vibe in Downtown LA’s Gothic architectural icon on the Art Deco parade of South Broadway. Its 1,600-seat, church-like movie theatre was fully restored in when the hotel opened; such architectural grandeur is juxtaposed with the interiors of an irreverent artist’s loft: concrete columns and exposed walls with pen graffiti-doodles. The rooftop with dipping pool, modelled on artist Donald Judd’s in Marfa, Texas, and Upstairs bar inspired by old Hollywood nightclub Les Deux Café, are great places for panoramic views of the metropolis.

Mama Shelter – unbeatably close to Hollywood Boulevard – a fun and funky hotel for a hip younger crowd. The décor is eclectic: think vintage steamer trunks, woven Mexican blankets, and wildly colourful rugs. Chalkboard messages written on the ceiling, a foosball table in the lobby and exposed brick walls painted bright white make the ambience youthful and urban. Rooms seem designed for millennials (reminiscent of IKEA but with more panache) and are high tech – each has an iMac computer with Apple TV, free movies and Skype.

A mash-up of Latin American and Californian styles makes this vibrant waterfront hotel one of the most popular places to stay in Long Beach. It’s full of stylish touches, from the magenta-coloured glass panels that cast a warm glow over the lobby, which has a Tulum-meets-SoCal vibe, to the roaring fire pits dotted around the property, ideal for toasting s’mores (there’s a kit containing all the ingredients in the rooms). Rooms are sleek and spacious, with wood floors and bright pops of colour, like the orange walls in the bathrooms.

A night aboard the Queen Mary feels more like staying in a museum than a hotel, with its original Art Deco staterooms, themed restaurants and numerous exhibition spaces lovingly preserved, boasting beautiful Art Deco curves and elaborate murals. Rooms make a feature of their original décor, with fine polished wood and original artwork, but still come with mod cons like televisions and hairdryers. There is a daily captain’s reception at 5pm where you can drink champagne and chat with fellow guests.

This place has style and character in spades, with each of the four suites decorated with a different movie star in mind. For example, the Parisian Suite is inspired by Grace Kelly and fit for a princess; the English Suite is an homage to the British actor Dudley Moore (complete with his original piano and antique carved wooden bed). Each space comes with a fully equipped kitchen, which the team will happily stock with groceries. There are also plenty of good restaurants within walking distance, including cult LA sushi chain Sugarfish and Italian neighbourhood favourite Delancey.

For lodgings by the beach in Santa Monica, you’d be hard pressed to find better value than this retro 20th-century motel. Helpful staff at the front desk can direct you to local attractions, make recommendations for dining out and provide tourist information, brochures and maps. Décor is minimal, limited to some tropical furniture and wall art. Most of the two dozen rooms and suites are reasonably large, as are the private bathrooms with walk-in showers. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants to choose from nearby on Main Street, or hop on a bus to downtown Santa Monica or the Venice boardwalk.