It flaunts vintage Hollywood style, with a playful 1950s look that captures a southern California spirit.

When it was the Beverly Carlton, celebrities flocked to the hotel by graphic designer Alvin Lustig—Marilyn Monroe was even a resident. At the hands of Kelly Wearstler (who first lent her design savvy to the hotel in 1999, before a more recent spruce-up), it still flaunts vintage Hollywood style, with a playful 1950s look that captures a southern California spirit. Beverly Hills might be synonymous with exorbitant price tags, but the Avalon is a more budget-friendly respite, although no less fashionable. In the 84 guestrooms, materials like custom glazed European white oak floors meld with Ming green marble bathrooms. Floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies maximize the hotel’s sunny surroundings. Eating at Viviane, with its mid-century furniture set against cool blue tones, is a must. But that laid-back beach vibe is most elegantly captured in the hourglass-shaped pool. A courtyard cabana is no finer way to enjoy the day.