The Best Hotels to Book in Burbank, California

At this centrally located hotel near the Burbank Town Center mall and Universal Studios Hollywood, the Coast Hotels group has implemented a range of green initiatives. Recycling, composting, biodegradable cleaning supplies and energy-efficient lighting attract conscious travellers to the luxurious rooms and suites – as well as material rewards from hypoallergenic comforters to Starbucks coffee. Offering the relaxing spaces of Olive’s Bistro & Lounge and the second-floor sundeck, alongside eco-initiatives such as low-flow bathroom fittings and 40 percent-recycled-plastic keycards, the Coast Anabelle Hotel is a sustainable base for exploring Burbank.

This downtown Burbank hotel is a favourite among film-industry hopefuls who visit Tinseltown to pitch their ideas to the studios – you might see the next Sofia Coppola editing their screenplay on a poolside sunbed. There’s a palpable creative buzz, which the hotel amplifies with live entertainment in the Casting Call Lounge and classic cocktails in the 18th-floor Crystal View Lounge. The guest rooms and suites are comfortable bases for pounding the streets to pitches and sightseeing alike, with features from sleeper couches to coffee machines.

Among the many hotels in Burbank, this 1950s icon is perhaps the only property that allows you to sleep on a Quentin Tarantino movie set. The maverick director’s early script True Romance was filmed here, and the hotel’s towering neon sign is a landmark for cars heading up Olive Avenue towards the Verdugo Mountains. The Californian institution doesn’t take itself too seriously, mixing playful safari and movie-making themes in the lobby’s jungle motif, and the Wall of Fame, featuring posters of the films shot here. While there’s no dining on site, you can order omelets, Belgian waffles and granola from Olive’s Bistro across the street.

Located in the midst of the San Fernando Valley’s many sights and activities, close to the network of freeways leading to the Hollywood Hills and beyond, this Marriott hotel in Burbank is ideal for on-the-go travelers. Jump-start your morning with a healthy or hearty complimentary breakfast, and pop into The Market throughout the day for a range of snacks. If experiencing local attractions such as the Griffith Observatory doesn’t keep you busy, there’s a swimming pool, a fitness center and the Residence Inn Mix evening socials. Accommodations lean towards independent travelers, with fully equipped kitchens in the studios and suites that are decked out with oversized prints of the Hollywood sign or vintage movie posters.

Classic Californian views await at this luxurious Marriott-owned hotel, where you can wake up to sensational North Hollywood vistas, spend the day by a pool worthy of a David Hockney painting, then trade travel tales in the evenings around the fire pit. A smiling Bob Hope mural greets you in reception, setting the tone for the chic but relaxing Nineteen26 Bar & Lounge, named after Marilyn Monroe’s birth year. Choose between stylish studios with writing desks, kitchenettes, lounge areas and impressive views of the wrinkly Verdugo Mountains, and sample a signature Monroe Mule at the Nineteen26 Bar.

Located between Los Angeles Zoo and the mountainside hiking trails of Stough Canyon Nature Center, this comfortable hotel makes an enjoyable base for exploring Southern California. The emphasis here is on visiting the nearby movie studios, lounging by the outdoor pool, catching happy hour at the Kitchen on San Fernando bar-restaurant and reflecting on the day’s adventures at the outdoor fireplace. There’s a range of accommodations available, including accessible options, but this buzzy hotel will likely encourage you to forego time in your cream-and-dark-wood room for exploring Burbank.

If you’re a fan of indie films and quirky TV series, this cute concept hotel should rank alongside the Hollywood Walk of Fame on your Californian hit list. Its front face is 100 percent motel, straight out of the movies with its orange balcony railings and dinky swimming pool overlooking Riverside Drive. Inside, the boutique hotel hits its stride with an eclectic mix of retro Hollywood style and whimsical modern touches, including wall murals, a vibrant palette throughout the 31 rooms, and complimentary tangerines for guests.

Befitting its location near Warner Bros. Studios, this boutique hotel evokes the Golden Age of Hollywood in its palm-shaded pool and daybeds for lounging like a resting actor. The intimate cocktail bar is a chic den for latter-day Cary Grants and Audrey Hepburns to sip spritzes, while the luxurious rooms and suites continue the celluloid theme with their silver-screen motifs. Against this backdrop of California cool, the hotel makes guests feel like celebrities through amenities such as Gilchrist & Soames bath and body products, a fitness center and complimentary bikes.