The Best Hostels to Book in Hollywood, California

The Steady’s tropical prints, ivy-spilling plants and sun-filled spaces give this affordable paradise an easy, breezy SoCal vibe. It’s in the heart of East Hollywood, placing you minutes from Paramount Studios and not far from Koreatown. Each of the five shared rooms is brought to life with exotic wallpapers in flamingo, parrot or cacti patterns, complemented by Navajo-style rugs. You can find solitude in the alcoves of the Pod room or the private Palm Leaves room, which comes complete with a skylight for a spot of stargazing. Communal spaces are minimal but hardly necessary when the trendy neighborhood is replete with vintage bookstores, characterful eateries and even the odd psychic.

At the Walk of Fame Hostel in Hollywood, you’re sure to spot a celebrity or two during your stay. Its location on the corner of Hollywood and Highland will give you a front-row seat to the latest red-carpet film premieres screening at the historic TCL (Grauman’s) Chinese Theatre and Disney’s El Capitan, both of which share the same block. However, this convenient hostel (which offers both dorm-style and private rooms) includes so much more. From group outings and complimentary bag storage to laundry machines and free breakfast, the Walk of Fame Hostel has it all.

What was once a motel is now the hip, budget-friendly Banana Bungalow, complete with views of the famous Hollywood Sign. Each vibrant lime- and lemon-colored dorm comes with a bathroom and can sleep up to eight people. Unlike the other lodgings on this list, there is also on-site parking, perfect for road-trippers traveling by car or camper. Its location along Hollywood Boulevard is ideal if the Walk of Fame and majestic TCL Chinese Theatre are on your must-visit list. Head back to base to sing your heart out at one of the hostel’s popular karaoke nights.

PodShare Hollywood has taken a leaf out of MTV’s The Real World playbook with its fresh approach to sociable living. The flexibility of pod-sharing means you can switch between its Los Angeles network of hostels for the duration of your stay. Climb up ladders made from repurposed pipes, and crash in the snug nooks of bunk beds, which come with privacy curtains and are constructed from upcycled materials, such as wood pallets. There is no shortage of entertainment either – computers equipped with Adobe CC line a table made from a repurposed airplane wing, and an Xbox offers the opportunity to unleash your competitive side.

The Orange Drive Hostel resides in a restored 1910 manor house full of Hollywood history. It was once the boarding house for stars such as Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth, and its homey setting sits a short amble from the waxwork delights of Madame Tussauds Hollywood. Inside, shared dorms are brightened with sea-green bedding, while private rooms contain antique furnishings and French doors. Mornings are a treat with a complimentary hot breakfast, and evenings can be spent socializing with fellow nomads on the outdoor patio.

Like its Hollywood sister, PodShare Los Feliz is a social crash pad. A smoky dystopian mural twists across its exterior, while inside, the former marijuana dispensary oozes the same chilled atmosphere as its predecessor with sage greens, potted plants and stripped-back communal spaces. The stacks of custom-built bunk beds are made from a patchwork of recycled wood, and you can easily chat with your pod neighbor or – thanks to the TVs mounted in each – enjoy some relaxing private time. You are also a short bus ride from the Griffith Observatory and moments from a variety of breakfast joints, vegan eateries and tiki bars.