7 Cheap But Nice Hotels to Stay in Los Angeles

The land of dreams, movie stars, and… eye-watering hotel prices. Let’s face it, finding cheap hotels in Los Angeles is nearly impossible—the entire city is notoriously expensive. However, there’s an undeniable magic about the city that captivates just about everyone who sets foot in it, making a visit completely worthwhile.

When you arrive, you can feel the electric energy buzzing in the air—the kind that inspires dreams and fuels creativity—there are very few places where you actually feel the magic but here you definitely can. From the sun-kissed beaches of Santa Monica Pier to the lively boardwalk of Venice Beach, LA beckons to be explored and enjoyed at least once in your lifetime.

Imagine strolling along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Seeing Your Name, surrounded by the stars of your favorite celebrities—a rite of passage for any visitor. Sure, while LA can be a bit pricey, the experiences you’ll have are absolutely worth the travel investment. Whether you’re indulging in the taco truck food scene, going on a fantastic and comprehensive celebrity home tour, or simply soaking up the unique and laid-back atmosphere, LA will leave a lasting mark on your heart.

We’ve scoured La-La Land to bring you seven cheap hotels in Los Angeles (and dare we say, most interesting) to rest your weary head. From motels that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Tarantino flick to hostels where you might just befriend the next big Hollywood star (or at least someone who claims to be), we’ve got you covered.

Cheap and Surprisingly Nice Hotels in Los Angeles

First up, we’ll spill the beans on our personal favorite, the Motel Sakura. Spoiler alert: it’s not actually in Japan, despite the name. Then, we’ll zip through other budget-friendly options faster than a Hollywood divorce. Finally, we’ll introduce you to a couple of hostels where you can live out your “struggling artist in LA” fantasy, minus the actual struggling part.

We reserved a room at the Motel Sakura, and it exceeded our expectations. First, we’re going to discuss our recommended accommodation, which is Motel Sakura-Glendale. It’s our go-to place in LA.

We love its convenient location and affordable price, which is kind of unheard of for some halfway decent places. Then, we’ll list other excellent and affordable options in Los Angeles. Finally, we’ll mention two hostels with great deals near popular areas.

1. Motel Sakura – Recommended for Drivers

We stumbled upon this gem during our last LA adventure, and let me tell you, it was love at first sight. Centrally located near Griffith Park & Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Dodger Stadium, Motel Sakura is our top choice for travelers looking for the best value for their money.

Conveniently situated near major highways, guests can reach popular attractions lightning fast. Moreover, it aligns with the expectations of budget-savvy travelers, a feature lacking in many other LA accommodations.

While not the absolute cheapest option, we got a clean room, free parking (a miracle in LA), and staff friendlier than your overly enthusiastic aunt at Thanksgiving. Is it the Ritz? Heck no. But for the price of a fancy LA cocktail (okay, maybe two), you get a comfy bed, a roof over your head, and a prime location for all your LA shenanigans. Plus, the name makes it sound fancy. Win-win!

🏨 Motel Sakura > Check Availability

Now, before you go and book Motel Sakura you should consider Villa Brasil Motel if you’d like to be more towards the ocean and Santa Monia. It’s got some earthy vibes

Alternate: Villa Brasil Motel – Unique Budget Experience

Situated in the Culver City area, Villa Brasil Motel offers a unique and charming experience with a touch of Brazilian flair. This budget-savvy fiesta is like Rio de Janeiro and LA had a love child, and that child grew up to be a motel with an identity crisis.

Plan on being greeted by a whole host of colors that’ll make you wonder if you accidentally ingested some of those “special” brownies from Venice Beach. The rooms? Let’s just say they’re more “telenovela set” than “five-star resort,” but hey, at these prices, who’s complaining?

This budget-friendly accommodation attracts travelers looking for something a bit different from standard chain hotels. While the rooms are simple, guests can enjoy the personal service, as well as the convenient location that puts them within easy reach of many top attractions, including Venice Beach and Santa Monica.

🏨 Villa Brasil Motel > Check Availability

2. citizenM Los Angeles Downtown – Hipster Heaven on a Budget

Welcome to citizenM Hotel, where the ‘M’ stands for ‘Millennial’ (okay, not really, it stands for Mobile). This place is so hip, it hurts. Think mood lighting, funky art, and enough Instagram opportunities to make your followers weep with envy.

Sure, it’s a chain, but don’t let that fool you. citizenM is Netherlands-based, so it’s like the foreign exchange student in school that everyone wants to be friends with. Tiny rooms? They prefer “efficiently designed.” No room service? They’ve got a 24/7 canteen that’s cooler than most LA clubs. Plus, it’s smack in the middle of downtown, so you can pretend you’re a big shot without the big shot price tag.

🏨 citizenM Hotel > Check Availability

3. Kasa Sunset Los Angeles – Your Home Away from Home (If Your Home Was Way Cooler)

Kasa Sunset is like that friend who always seems to have their life together. These apartment-style digs will make you feel like a true LA local, minus the crippling rent and soul-crushing audition rejections.

With full kitchens and living areas, you can whip up your own avocado toast and practice your Oscar speech in peace. Located in the heart of West Hollywood, you’re just a stone’s throw away from all the action. Just try not to get too comfortable – remember, you don’t actually live here (yet).

🏨 Kasa Sunset Hotel > Check Availability

4. Greenleaf Hotel Long Beach Convention Center – Beach Vibes on a Beer Budget

Okay, so it’s not technically in LA proper, but Long Beach is close enough, right? The Greenleaf Hotel is like LA’s laid-back cousin who doesn’t care about wearing designer labels or being seen at the right clubs.

This place is perfect for those who want to dip their toes in the LA scene without diving headfirst into the madness. Plus, you’re right by the convention center, so you can crash all those nerdy events for free air conditioning and possible celebrity sightings (Comic-Con, anyone?).

🏨 Greenleaf Hotel > Check Availability

5. The Metric – Los Angeles Downtown – For When You’re Bad at Math but Good at Saving Money

The Metric is proof that sometimes, less is more. This place has stripped away all the frills and left you with just the basics – but done really, really well. It’s like the Marie Kondo of hotels: if it doesn’t spark joy or serve a purpose, it’s out. To really beat a dead horse it’s also currently ranked as the number one hotel in Los Angeles on TripAdvisor!

Located in the heart of downtown, The Metric puts you right in the middle of the action without putting a massive dent in your wallet. Plus, with a name like “The Metric,” you can tell all your friends back home that you stayed somewhere really sophisticated. They don’t need to know it’s just a fancy way of saying “budget hotel.”

🏨 The Metric > Check Availability

6. HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica – Beach Bums on a Budget

Now, I’m going to mention the word “hostel,” don’t close out this page or run out the door! Hostels can actually be a great place to stay, and meet people, and are something we highly recommend for travelers of all ages to explore.

If you’ve always dreamed of being a beach bum but your bank account screams “back alley”? HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica is your golden ticket to sun, sand, and lots of interesting characters. It’s a hostel, in probably the best location in all of Los Angeles, so prepare to make friends whether you like it or not.

But hey, you’re steps from the Santa Monica Pier and beach, so you can live out all your Baywatch fantasies (slow-motion running is optional but encouraged). Just remember: that sunburn will fade, but the memories (and the weird tan lines) will last forever.

🏨 HI Los Angeles Hostel > Check Availability

7. ITH Los Angeles Beach Hostel

Last but not least, we’ve got the ITH Los Angeles Beach Hostel in Venice Beach, where the weird and wonderful come to play. It’s like a real-life version of those teen beach movies, minus the spontaneous musical numbers (usually). From the rooftop, you can spot celebrities on the beach! Okay, they might just be very tanned locals, but after a few days here, you won’t know the difference anyway.

🦾 Pro Tip: Bring earplugs. That guy with the guitar? Yeah, he doesn’t know when to quit. Or, get one of the fancy private rooms that screams, “I’m better than all of you!”

Venice Beach is where LA lets its freak flag fly, and this hostel is your front-row seat to all the action. Muscle Beach, street performers, questionable food vendors – it’s all here, and it’s all gloriously bizarre. Just don’t be surprised if you leave with a new tattoo, a sudden interest in palm reading, or a burning desire to become a professional roller-skater.

🏨 ITH Los Angeles Beach Hostel > Check Availability

There you have it, folks! Seven cheap hotels in the most character-filled places to stay in Los Angeles. Will you save money? Absolutely. Will you have stories to tell? You bet your bottom dollar (which, incidentally, might be all you have left after a week in LA).

Los Angeles – A City of Experiences, Not Addresses

Spotting celebrities at your local Whole Foods, getting stuck in legendary traffic on the 405 while belting out LaLa Land tunes, hiking to the Hollywood sign for that perfect Instagram shot, or indulging in a late-night taco truck feast – these quintessential LA experiences will leave an indelible mark on your heart (and possibly your waistline). So go ahead, book that budget-savvy room, and dive headfirst into the glitzy, gritty, and utterly unforgettable world of Los Angeles. Just remember: in the city where everyone’s a star, you’re the leading actor in your own LA story – even if you’re staying at the Motel Sakura.

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