The Best LA Hotels Near Griffith Observatory

Palihotel Hollywood

Palihotel Hollywood is a delightful blend of vintage charm and modern comfort, centrally located on the iconic Sunset Boulevard. It’s about 2.5 miles from the entrance to Griffith Park, and about 5.5 miles from the Observatory. With 74 uniquely designed rooms and suites, this hotel offers a bespoke experience that captures the essence of old Hollywood. It is quintessential LA. It is the perfect stay for someone looking for a luxurious, but traditional, Hollywood experience.

One of my favorite features of this hotel is their iconic courtyard pool. Sipping a tropical cocktail under their orange umbrellas really makes you feel like you’re in a Hollywood movie. Not to mention their amazing poolside dining restaurant, Benny’s on the Blvd, where guests get 10 percent off. Open all day, you can enjoy your morning cappuccino, tacos and margs in the afternoon and evening cocktails before a night out.

Palihotel Hollywood has thought of everything to make your experience that much more enjoyable, and that much more LA. The hotel provides you with a curated neighborhood guide, featuring iconic LA spots like Griffith Park, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and more. They even create a handpicked Pali Vibes playlist, updated weekly, to make sure the vibes are immaculate.

Oh, did I mention, this hotel is also pet-friendly, as part of their Pawlisociety program. You can bring your furry friends on vacation with you. Not only will you get treated like the VIP you are, but your pets will, too! The hotel will have organic treats, luxury dog beds and plush toys waiting for you in your room upon check-in, and they offer dog-walking services, too. The only thing better than hiking at Griffith Park is hiking at Griffith Park with your dog, which is why I think Palihotel Hollywood is one of the best hotels near Griffith Observatory.

Silver Lake Pool & Inn

If Hollywood isn’t your style, but you still want to be close to Griffith Park, then Silver Lake might just be the place for you. The Silver Lake Pool & Inn is located in the dynamic heart of Silver Lake, one of the trendiest neighborhoods in LA. It's renowned for its eclectic mix of indie boutique stores, swanky cafes, a vibrant arts and music scene and tons of great restaurants. Not to mention, the hotel is only 2.5 miles from Griffith Park and 3.5 miles from the Observatory (as well as right next door to an Erewhon for your Hailey Bieber smoothie fix).

Now let’s talk about the hotel. The Silver Lake Pool & Inn perfectly captures the eclectic spirit of the neighborhood — it is distinctively California. The furniture is locally sourced and each of its 54 oversized rooms is adorned with warm Southern California sunshine. You can really tell how much thought was put into every detail. My personal favorite touch (as a loving plant mom) is all the plants decorating not only the grounds, but each room, too.

You can’t have a fabulous LA stay without a fabulous pool, especially when it's in the name of the hotel. The Silver Lake Pool & Inn certainly doesn’t disappoint with its elevated pool deck, perfect for a serene afternoon soaking up the sun. What’s better than sipping a handcrafted cocktail and lounging by the pool? Not only is the pool impressive, but so is their al fresco restaurant and bar Marco Polo. With locally sourced California ingredients, this Italian restaurant is truly a culinary delight. You can't go wrong with any of their pasta dishes, but the olive oil cake is to die for.

Like Palihotel Hollywood, Silver Lake Pool & Inn is another gem from one of my favorite Fora Partners: Palisociety. So many of the things I love about their Hollywood Hotel, you can also find here in Silver Lake: curated city guides, pet-friendly accommodations and services, as well as a vibey LA playlist.

Kimpton Everly Hotel

If you're seeking a different kind of Hollywood experience, the Kimpton Everly Hotel offers a perfect blend of style, luxury and comfort. From the moment you step into its sun-drenched lobby, you'll feel a sense of calm amid the vibrant energy of Hollywood. Situated just a block north of Hollywood Boulevard and near the iconic Capitol Records Building, the hotel is perfectly positioned between the Hollywood Hills and the bustling heart of the city. Located less than two miles from the entrance to Griffith Park, this fabulous property is one of my favorite hotels near Griffith Observatory.

This prime location makes for great views — all 216 rooms offer breathtaking views of the LA skyline or the Hollywood Hills. And there’s also a rooftop pool with even more jaw-dropping panoramic views of the city. Day or night, the pool deck is a vibe. You can relax during the day, and enjoy their lively bar scene at night, often featuring live music. Sometimes, Ever Bar even turns into a full-on nightclub.

The Kimpton Everly is the perfect hotel for people who don’t want to venture too far to experience LA’s vibrant nightlife. I don’t know about you, but I personally love when I can grab drinks and dance, knowing that my bed is only a short elevator ride away. The hotel also hosts nightly social hours to make your stay even more enjoyable. If you’re a solo traveler, this is a great place to mingle and meet new people! Oh, and this hotel is also pet-friendly.

To sum it up — the Kimpton Everly is all about views and vibes. It is chic, comfortable and sophisticated, and one of the best places to stay in LA.

1 Hotel West Hollywood

Last but certainly not least: 1 Hotel West Hollywood. While it is not as close to Griffith Observatory as the other options (a little over five miles away), it makes up for it in amazing views, delicious food and incredibly thoughtful design. This place is the definition of eco-chic, with sustainability and wellness at the forefront of everything they do. Every room and suite is thoughtfully designed to bring nature indoors with native greenery, natural-finish wood floors, earthen plaster and organic cotton linens.

1 Hotel West Hollywood is a haven for foodies. Savor the flavors of California at the farm-to-table 1 Kitchen, where Executive Chef Ginger Pierce crafts delicious zero-waste dishes from locally sourced ingredients. For a more relaxed setting, Juniper Lounge + Garden offers handcrafted cocktails in a beautiful indoor-outdoor space. My personal favorite is Harriet's Rooftop — you get panoramic views of the city and delicious elevated dining. Pro tip: go at sunset.

Now let’s talk wellness. First off, check out their gorgeous rooftop pool for some lounging and relaxation (can you tell I love rooftop pools?). Next, choose from a variety of holistic treatments — which, by the way, are all sustainably focused and nature-centric — at the Bamford Wellness Spa. Not enough relaxation for you? Take one of their outdoor yoga classes overlooking the LA skyline.

West Hollywood is one of the most walkable areas of LA, with so many amazing dining and entertainment options just steps away from the lobby. However, if you want to venture further, the hotel offers complimentary bike rentals as well as test drives of their fleet of fully electric Audi Q8 e-trons. This hotel truly has it all, which is why it might just be my absolute favorite hotel near Griffith Observatory.

Los Angeles is a massive, spread-out city. Hollywood, Silver Lake and West Hollywood are just a few of the amazing neighborhoods in LA, all of which have very different vibes than, say, Santa Monica or Malibu. Whether you want to visit Griffith Observatory or one of the many other famous attractions LA has to offer, keep in mind that traffic can be truly brutal and things are a lot farther apart than you might think. The location of your hotel is just as important as the hotel itself.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Los Angeles. For more travel inspiration, check out Fora Advisor Rod Carrillo-Lundgren's guide, Beverly Hills Hotels Near Rodeo Drive.