Sample glitz and glamour by staying in Los Angeles Hotels

Los Angeles has a reputation for being the city of dreams. The home of the beautiful people, the Californian city break destination is bathed in glorious sunshine and is the home of the Hollywood film industry. By staying in Los Angeles, you too can become an Angeleno - albeit only for a few days.

The US's second-largest city needs little introduction. The City of Angels, adorned by the rich and famous, enjoys a subtropical climate - which may help to explain its popularity with city breakers in addition to its status as a base for some of the world's most successful movie stars, singers and socialites.

Known as the Entertainment Capital of the World, Los Angeles isn't just the home of the world's best-known movie industry. Large parts of the US's television, video and music industries are based here, which means those staying in Los Angeles accommodation will be at the cutting edge of the latest entertainment developments.

Holidaymakers wishing to be as close to the action as possible should consider downtown Los Angeles hotels. Some 18 cheap hotels are located in the city centre, among the most popular of which is the Wilshire Plaza Hotel Los Angeles. Situated close to Paramount Studios, the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Staples Center, the Wilshire Plaza is an ideal option for both business and leisure guests.

Located in the Wilshire Center Business District, the hotel is just a short hop away from some of the city's best-known attractions. Among the quirkier of these is the Angels Flight Railway, the shortest railway in the world. The funicular railway, which ascends just 298ft, links Hill Street and California Plaza and costs just 25 centsfor a one-way ticket.

Other attractions close to the Wilshire Plaza include Forty Deuce and the Bradbury Building, which is famous for its Italian Renaissance-style exterior. The structure has made a number of movie and music video appearances over the years, and you may have caught a glimpse of it in (500) Days of Summer, Blade Runner or videos by Genesis and Janet Jackson.

Arguably the City of Dreams' most famous attraction, however, is Hollywood, one of the city's most sought-after neighbourhoods. Towering above it is the Hollywood sign, which those staying in hotels in Los Angeles cannot fail to miss. One of the world's most famous landmarks, it is regarded as a symbol of ambition, glamour and success - as the people living in its shadow will testify.

The sign as we know it was conceived in the late 70s; the original was constructed in the 20s and spelt 'Hollywoodland'. Its most recent incarnation involved 194 tons of concrete, enamel and steel, and the sign celebrated its 80th birthday in 2004. To get up close and personal with the sign, you may wish to consider staying in Hollywood hotels - and there are certainly plenty to choose from.

One of the most revered is the Sofitel Hotel Los Angeles, which is surrounded by Kitson, Rodeo Drive and the Petersen Automotive Museum - some of the city's most famous tourist attractions. Situated on the corner of La Cienega and Beverly Boulevard, the Sofitel's guests are afforded access to The Grove, a hugely popular entertainment complex featuring a swathe of boutiques and restaurants. Also nearby is the Farmers Market and the County Museum of Art, which contains more than 150,000 pieces spanning from ancient times up to the present day.

If you're considering cheap Los Angeles hotels in the West Hollywood region, you'll have 22 accommodation options to choose from. The area, especially the western stretch of Melrose Avenue - between Fairfax Avenue and Doheny Drive - is particularly trendy, and it is here that you'll find clothing boutiques, antique stores, restaurants and interior design shops.

A short walk away to the area around Fountain Avenue, Harper Avenue and Havenhurst Drive is an impressive collection of Spanish Revival and Art Deco apartment buildings which date back to the 20s. It was this district that served as the home of celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, John Wayne and Errol Flynn.

Nowadays, Hollywood is awash with celebrities, and the chances are high that you'll see a familiar face during your stay here. As a mark of how successful the area is, it's recommended to take a stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which stretches along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. There's certainly plenty to see on the 1.7-mile walk, with more than 2,400 five-pointed brass stars embedded in the pavement - 47 per cent of which celebrate awards made in the motion pictures category. The walk is so popular that it currently attracts around ten million visitors each year.

The Hollywood neighbourhood is undoubtedly one of Los Angeles' must-see attractions, but what else should the city breaker take in? Well, Universal Studios are well worth a visit. Having started off as a guided tour around the film studios, it has now grown to become a large-scale theme park, with over 25 million people visiting the attraction in 2008.

Los Angeles isn't just famed for its city centre attractions, however. Many of the city's residents, and its tourists too, head out to the sea - and in particular to Venice Beach. While the Californian coast is generally famed for its superb surf and pristine sand, Venice Beach is arguably more famous for its art scene and bohemian feel.

Venice Boardwalk is the best place to discover all that goes on around the waterfront, and while you'll be tempted to spend time down on the beach, you'll be equally as enticed by the street performers, skaters and stalls. Among the best places to eat here is Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom, which is famous throughout the city for serving the best hot dogs in town.

If you fancy discovering the quieter side of Venice Beach, head south of Venice Boulevard to the pier, where you can escape the hustle and bustle and find your own secluded piece of Californian bliss. If you're lucky, you might even catch one of Los Angeles' famous sunsets.

Los Angeles has rightly earned its reputation as one of the world's most exciting city break destinations. If you choose to stay in cheap hotels in the City of Angels, you'll ensure that you can afford to do everything it has to offer.

2 August 2010