The pool deck at Hotel Shangri La Santa Monica, which hosts part of the hotel's New Year's Party

Hotels in this story

Price Dates

Hotel Shangri-La Santa Monica

The Hollywood Roosevelt

Mondrian Los Angeles Hotel

Sunset Marquis

The Standard, Hollywood

Los Angeles is bound to be hopping on New Year’s Eve, and we can’t think of a better place to party than in the city’s hotels: no need to find a designated driver, room service is available all night, and your bed is just steps away. Below we’ll tell you what each of our Best Party Hotels in L.A. has planned for ringing in 2010.

Hollywood/West Hollywood

On New Year’s, the entire Roosevelt Hotel is turning into one big party (though A-list spot Teddy’s will be closed for a private event). The party flows from the lobby to the Tropicana Pool to the ballroom. The action kicks off at 9 p.m. and continues until 3 a.m., and $90 tickets get revelers an open bar until 11 p.m. DJ Grandmaster Flash mans the booth while plenty of musical artists take their turn (The EC Twins, Mei Lwun, Jonny Boy). Most exciting: a water ballet performance by the Aqualillies.

Tickets are sold on this website. Superior rooms are still available for $349 (all rooms for the night include two tickets to the party). Deluxe king rooms can be had for $379, and cabana rooms are available for $479.

Hollywood/West Hollywood

Mondrian’s main event takes place at the poolside Skybar from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m., where “Skybar Speakeasy” is the theme of the night. Tickets are $150 which includes an open bar and a champagne toast at midnight; hotel guests and patrons of Asia de Cuba (the trendy on-site restaurant) only pay $125. DJ Joe Greto provides the tunes.

Tickets are sold on this website. The hotel still has studio suites for $435 and deluxe one-bedroom suites for $545.

Hollywood/West Hollywood

A home away from home for rock stars since 1963, the Sunset Marquis knows how to party. On New Year’s Eve it’s business as usual at Bar 1200, which means no cover charge but with the added bonus of some 12 o’clock bubbly. The hotel’s aptly-named Restaurant serves excellent Asian and French inspired food by well-regarded executive chef Guillaume Burlion. On New Year’s they’re offering a four-course prix-fixed dinner (langoustine and white truffle bisque; Dover sole with stone crab soufflé) for $100/person that includes a champagne toast at midnight.

No tickets are needed for Bar 1200; dinner reservations can be made by calling 310.358.3759.One-bedroom superior suites are available for $315, deluxe one-bedroom suites are available for $355, and villas are available starting at $455.

Hollywood/West Hollywood

Three events will happen simultaneously here on New Year’s Eve, though that’s hardly surprising for one of the best party hotels in Los Angeles. One party flows between the lobby and the pool deck ($20, or free for hotel guests who enter before 10 p.m.), a bigger party takes place in the Purple Lounge ($75, or $60 for guests), and a three-course dinner is served in the 24 + 7 restaurant ($45 per person).

To buy in advance, which is recommended, email the hotel’s events coordinator at [email protected] Rooms are still available for $280.

Santa Monica and the Beaches

The white couches and billowy curtains of the chic Penthouse restaurant and lounge welcome revelers on New Year’s, be it in the lounge ($40/person) or at the restaurant for a five-course dinner. The 6 p.m. dinner seating ($75/person) ends at 8:45, and the 9 p.m. dinner ($125/person) bumps into midnight with a champagne toast.

Call the restaurant for dinner reservations (310.393.8080); pay at the door for lounge entry. Huntley King Rooms are available for $579 and Signature Suites are available for $699.

Beverly Hills/Bel Air

Thompson’s sexy rooftop pool area has 360-degree views of the city and come nightfall is home to ABH (short for Above Beverly Hills), the pink-lit poolside lounge where the hotel’s New Year’s Eve party takes place. Tickets to the party at ABH are just $25, and anyone having dinner at the upscale sushi restaurant BondSt ($86 tasting menu for New Year’s) that night has automatic rooftop access.

Call Chelsea at 310.601.2236 for party or dinner reservations. There’s a two night minimum stay for New Year’s. Rooms for Dec. 30 and Dec. 31 start at $249 and $299 respectively (for a King Superior Room). On Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, the same room is $299 and $279. More expensive room types available as well.

Santa Monica and the Beaches

A slick and inviting boutique hotel fresh off a $30 million renovation, the Hotel Shangri La has a popular party scene that revolves around its chic pool deck and new rooftop bar. On New Year’s Eve, $25 gets partygoers access to the hotel’s restaurant and pool area, while $40 gains them additional access to rooftop bar Suite 700. Three DJs will set up around the hotel and fire dancers (yep, you read that right) will perform by the pool. Start your night at The Dining Room with an $85 (or $150 a couple) four-course prix-fixed dinner that includes crispy turbot and roasted beef tenderloin.

The hotel suggests buying tickets in advance, which can be done at this website. Two night minimum required for New Year’s, and rooms are currently only available for check-in on Dec. 31. All open rooms are Veranda Suites for $825 a night.