10 Greatest Locations to Keep

With its waterfront experiences, shopping, and beach town feel in a big city, Long Beach is an underrated destination. Nestled in Southern California, just south of downtown Los Angeles, LBC is a perfect example of a SoCal city.

Although it has a beach town feel on a much larger scale, Long Beach isn’t just a beach bum town. Iconic spots like the RMS Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific are just a couple of the numerous activities to enjoy.

When it comes to hotels in Long Beach, there is a wide range of options for travelers across the spectrum to choose from. From a luxury hotel with resort-style amenities in downtown Long Beach to boutique and extended-stay hotels, LBC offers accommodations for every budget and travel style in SoCal.

Keep in mind that if you want to have a lot to do within walking distance, you’ll want to stay in downtown Long Beach. Not to worry, though; some of the best hotels are downtown. There are also two incredible art museums downtown, including the Long Beach Museum of Art and the Museum of Latin American Art.

TL;DR

Where to Stay in Long Beach

1. The Cove Hotel – Ascend Hotel Collection

Address: 200 E Willow St, Long Beach, California 90806

The Cove Hotel – Ascend Hotel Collection is in a convenient location near the Port of Long Beach, the Aquarium of the Pacific, and the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. You’ll also have easy access to the Catalina Express ferry service to and from Catalina Island.

As for specialty shops and boutiques, you’re right near Shoreline Village, which also offers bike and skate rentals. Cove’s outdoor pool is open all year long, perfect for a place like Long Beach, which has approximately 345 days of sun each year.

This hotel also features both a coffee shop and restaurant on-site and is incredibly close (1.5 miles) to Long Beach Municipal Airport. There is also private parking on the property with an additional fee.

Pros:

• Outdoor pool
• Restaurant on-site
• Fitness center
• Walking distance to several parks

Cons:

• Not walkable to beaches
• Rooms can be noisy from the hallway
• Not a ton of breakfast options

Things to Do Nearby:

• Fellowship Park
• Museum of Latin American Art
• Aquarium of the Pacific
• Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
• Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site

2. Beachrunners Inn

Address: 231 Kennebec Ave, Long Beach, California 90803

Beachrunners Inn Bed and Breakfast is located near Junipero Beach, Belmont Shore Beach, and Bluff Park. Junipero Beach is only three blocks away, perfect for a family beach getaway.

It was built in 1913 and features Craftsman architecture. Plus, Beachrunners Inn has easy access to the Long Beach Museum of Art.

Beachrunners has five guest rooms, lovely gardens, outdoor space, and a fabulous full English breakfast! You also have free parking access, which is HUGE for a Long Beach hotel.

The inn has a snack bar, though if you want a larger meal (besides breakfast), you’ll have to go elsewhere. Luckily, there are several eateries just a few steps away.

Pros:

• Breakfast is included
• Snack baskets for guests
• Gorgeous classic Craftsman style home
• Library for guest use
• Walkable neighborhood
• Three blocks from the beach

Cons:

• Only five rooms
• Lacks amenities of other hotels in Long Beach, like pool or restaurant access

Things to Do Nearby:

• Long Beach Museum of Art
• Aquarium of the Pacific
• Trolley Park
• Museum of Latin American Art
• Camp Bixby

See Related: Northern California vs Southern California: What’s Better?

3. The Hyatt Regency Long Beach

Address: 200 S Pine Ave, Long Beach, California 90802

With prime views of the nearby Pacific Ocean, the Hyatt Regency Long Beach is an ideal oceanside stay without a premium price. This Long Beach hotel is one of the area’s best pet-friendly hotels and is within walking distance of the Long Beach Convention Center and Shoreline Village. There’s even a pedestrian bridge leading to Shoreline Village.

It’s also just a short walk away from the incredible Aquarium of the Pacific, and with the massive outdoor pool, this is a perfect home away from home for visiting families. Or, if you’re a traveler like me who loves having things to do, you’ll feel right at home here, too! In addition to the pool, the Hyatt Regency has two restaurants, a lounge, a fitness center, a gift shop, and sumptuous marina views for guests to enjoy.

Pros:

• Pet-friendly
• Has two restaurants
• Family rooms available
• Located near ocean
• Free wifi

Cons:

• Rooms with connecting doors can be noisy
• Rooms can be small for families

Things to Do Nearby:

4. Greenleaf Hotel

Address: 63 Lime Ave, Long Beach, California 90802

The 1920s-era Greenleaf Hotel offers city and water views in a historic boutique hotel setting. There are not a ton of amenities here, though its historic charm still makes it one of the best hotels in Long Beach–especially if you just need a comfortable place to sleep.

This property underwent a huge renovation, which included a name change to the short and sweet Greenleaf Hotel. It was formerly known as the Greenleaf Hotel Long Beach Convention Center. As one of the oldest buildings in downtown Long Beach, this longtime accommodation has a lot of stories to tell.

Thanks to its central location, getting to the Museum of Latin American Art, the Queen Mary, and Shoreline Village is easy. Junipero Beach and Long Beach City Beach are nearby. Sadly, this is not a pet-friendly hotel.

Pros:

• Boutique hotel
• Conveniently located downtown
• Free wi-fi
• One of the cheap hotel options in Long Beach
• Comfortable rooms

Cons:

• Only street parking is available
• No on-site meals are available
• Because it’s an older building, rooms have poor sound insulation

Things to Do Nearby:

• Marina Green Park
• Long Beach Promenade
• Shoreline Pedestrian Bikepath
• Aquarium of the Pacific
• Junipero Beach

5. The Belmont Shore Inn

Address: 3946 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, California 90803

The Belmont Shore Inn offers convenience and modern accommodations along Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach. Belmont Shore is one of my favorite cheap hotels in Long Beach, but don’t let the price make you think it’s not a nice spot – nor its understated exterior.

It’s located in the Belmont Heights neighborhood rather than downtown, which is why it’s one of the most affordable of the Long Beach hotels. Plus, the clean, airy, modern decor of the comfortable rooms is gorgeous.

This hotel features rainfall showerheads and soft pillowtop beds for a restful night after exploring Long Beach. Business services such as copying and faxing are also available, and staff speaks English, Gujarati, and Hindi. You’re also right by the Belmont Shore Beach, which is only a few blocks away.

Pros:

• Good location
• The front desk speaks English, Gujarati and Hindi
• Three beaches within a mile
• Free Wi-Fi
• Private parking on-site

Cons:

• Small parking lot
• Some rooms may be outdated

Things to Do Nearby:

• Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier
• Trolley Park
• Rosies Dog Beach
• Belmont Shore Beach
• Seal Beach

6. Renaissance Long Beach Hotel

Address: 111 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, California 90802

Another of the best hotels in Long Beach, the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel is a pet-friendly paradise right in the heart of downtown with great access to the city’s top attractions and restaurants. Not only do you get some incredible views from these spacious rooms, but you can also get them from the comfort of the rooftop pool. Not many Long Beach hotels can boast a rooftop swimming experience!

The Renaissance Long Beach Hotel also has two restaurants to enjoy–111 Pool + Lounge with poolside eats and the Promenade Cafe. Plus the SIP Bar + Lounge on-site has cocktails as well as food with indoor and outdoor seating. There is also room service if you don’t feel like leaving your comfy room; you’re on vacation, after all!

Pros:

• Room service
• On-site dining options
• Great location in downtown
• Free Wi-Fi
• Hot tub and outdoor pool

Cons:

• Patio music can be loud for nearby rooms
• Some rooms are outdated

Things to Do Nearby:

• Harvey Milk Promenade Park
• Shoreline Aquatic Park
• Junipero Beach
• Aquarium of the Pacific
• Long Beach Promenade

7. Residence Inn Long Beach Downtown

Address: 600 Queensway Dr, Long Beach, California 90802

Alongside the oceanfront, the Residence Inn Long Beach Downtown is another of the city’s pet-friendly hotels near the water. It’s also an ideal spot to stay if you’re headed off on a cruise from the city since it’s only a five-minute drive away from the Long Beach Cruise Terminal.

These hotel room options are also apartment suite style, giving you plenty of space to sprawl out and even cook for yourself. So when you want to stay in Long Beach with some of the comforts of home, why not consider the Residence Inn?

If you aren’t interested in cooking, there’s also an on-site restaurant. Plus, there is a fitness center and pool for the days when visiting Long Beach doesn’t wear you out enough. And for those larger families or traveling groups, some of the suites have connecting doors.

Pros:

• Pet-friendly
• Short drive to Long Beach Airport
• On-site restaurant
• Free breakfast bar
• Close to the convention center

Cons:

• The on-site parking lot is small compared to the hotel size
• Breakfast may not have a lot of dietary restriction options

Things to Do Nearby:

See Related: Free California Travel Guide: Printable Guide to Travel

8. The Queen Mary

Address: 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, California 90802

Do you know the RMS Queen Mary? The one we’ve mentioned a couple of times already? Well, this is the same attraction–hotel style.

That’s right! You can stay aboard the historic ship that plays the role of experience and accommodation. And yes, it is also one of the most haunted hotels in the country, so stay here if you dare.

These Art Deco-style staterooms allow you to time-hop back to the days of luxurious transatlantic travel without even leaving the harbor. Many hotels represent Long Beach’s storied history, but none other than the legendary Queen Mary gives you that perspective from the water. Breakfast is served on board, there are family rooms available, and is even pet-friendly upon request.

Pros:

• Private parking
• Located on the water coastline
• Incredibly budget-friendly
• Daily complimentary breakfast available
• Long Beach’s most haunted hotel

Cons:

• Not a lot of on-board amenities
• Room temperatures can be wildly varied

Things to Do Nearby:

9. Hotel Maya – a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

Address: 700 Queensway Dr, Long Beach, California 90802

If a stay in Long Beach on a super haunted boat doesn’t, well, float your boat, the Hotel Maya is the next best thing. Also off the ocean with primo views of the Queen Mary and the aquarium, this Hilton hotel is the perfect launching point to explore Long Beach.

There’s even an indoor/outdoor restaurant on the property called Fuego, serving up Latin American cuisine. In addition to the pool outside, you also have access to the hot tub, fitness center, and sun loungers for ultimate relaxation mode.

The Hotel Maya also offers bicycle rentals, watersports (for an additional fee), table tennis, and cycling. Plus, there is a complimentary shuttle service for hotel guests.

Pros:

• Easy drive to Long Beach Airport
• Pet-friendly
• Pool and hot tub
• Shuttle service
• Some rooms have balconies

Cons:

• Not enough parking for the size of the hotel
• Some rooms are outdated

Things to Do Nearby:

See Related: How to Get Around California (With and Without a Car)

10. Hotel Current

Address: 5325 CA-1, Long Beach, California 90804

When you’re an artsy person paying a visit to Long Beach, you need to stay at the Hotel Current. Filled with art from local artists, this hotel embraces its artistic ambitions, complete with a guitar-shaped pool and close proximity to gardens and art museums. Not to mention the outdoor aesthetics, which will make you feel transported to a tropical paradise far from Cali’s shores.

With a front desk staff that speaks English, Spanish, and Indonesian, this hotel is also optimal for international visitors. Hotel Current is also focused on eco-friendly living, so green tourists will be glad to lessen their ecological footprint. Each room is also quite chic, which perfectly matches the overall pop-art theme.

Pros:

• Eco-friendly hotel
• Adorable guitar-shaped pool
• Boutique style accommodation
• Laundry facilities available
• Art created by local artists

Cons:

• Small hotel with fewer amenities compared to other Long Beach hotels
• Parking is an additional fee

Things to Do Nearby:

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