A 74-room Sunset Strip landmark, the Art Deco Sunset Tower draws A-list celebrities and treats everyday guests like stars with impeccable service and a vibe that channels the glamorous history of Hollywood. Despite its small pool, the Tower is still a great value. For an Art Deco icon overlooking the ocean, consider the Hotel Shangri La Santa Monica.

Just off the Sunset Strip, The London West Hollywood offers the highest levels of luxury and service at reasonable prices. With 200 beautifully appointed, 750-square-foot rooms, a rooftop pool and fitness area with panoramic views, and an upscale restaurant the hotel attracts a sophisticated set who expect service as great as the value.

A-list rockers have been flocking to the Sunset Marquis, located steps from the Sunset Strip, since it opened in 1963 as a cheap motel for musicians. It offers 152 sleek, spacious rooms featuring up-to-date amenities -- including large flat-screen TVs, iPod docks and Molton Brown toiletries. Hotel highlights include a top-notch restaurant, a cozy bar, two pools, and a wonderful spa.

As Hollywood's most notorious celebrity hideaway, the Chateau Marmont is the best spot for A-list sightings, especially in its two fantastic (yet reasonably priced) restaurants. Unfortunately, for tourists, most everything else disappoints. The pool's small, the gym's dark, and the standard rooms are dowdy. Book a room at the London instead, and head here for dinner to get your celebrity fix.

The 236-room Mondrian Los Angeles Hotel is a Sunset Strip icon, one with even more of a scene than the equally legendary Sunset Marquis. The design-centric hotel's common areas -- lobby, restaurant, pool, and lounges -- are all geared toward socializing. The cutting-edge style of the rooms doesn't interfere with their comfort; beginning at 325 square feet, all rooms feature king beds, minibars, separate bathroom vanity areas, and Malin + Goetz toiletries. But guests are usually more interested in spending time at the on-site dining and nightlife hot spots than staying in. Those looking for a more relaxed scene in the same neighborhood and price range might prefer the still-cool Standard, Hollywood or the low-key-but-fashionable Sofitel Los Angeles.

This 139-room hip boutique offers comfortable lodgings and a prime Sunset Strip location for lower rates than the Mondrian (but with less luxurious rooms). You won't get this much (cool pool, cheap 24-hour restaurant, great nightlife) for this little elsewhere on the Strip. But there is no fitness center, spa, or business center on site. Guests, primarily singles or couples without children, don't seem to miss the extra amenities, focusing more on the boutique's party atmosphere and stylish offerings. Families, while welcome, may be better suited elsewhere.