Hotel Los Angles

As you read this, I'm in sunny Los Angeles, the playground of many Celebrity Travel Intelligence subjects. Had I planned ahead and followed Wendy's advice on how to beat Priceline at its own game, I'd be sitting pretty in four-star digs at half the price. Unfortunately, I didn't get my act together in time, and after frantic last-minute Expedia searching, I find myself at the ultra-glamorous, star-studded...Santa Monica Travelodge. It's all champagne wishes and caviar dreams here!

Luckily, you don't have to slum it the next time you're in L.A. Turns out, this expensive city does have some great, affordable hotels without the word "lodge" in the title. Back in January, Katoakita, an L.A. local, suggested the mid-century Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills. And with good reason. With the 21-Day Advance Purchase special, one of its stylish doubles will run you $219/night. Though you won't encounter Avalon fans Lucille Ball or Mae West in the lobby, you'll definitely feel like a star lounging by the amoeba-shaped pool (don't forget your big hat and wide-rim sunglasses).

The new Chamberlain in West Hollywood is Avalon's sister property and has a similarly cool vibe -- along with the same reasonable price tag. The cabanas by the pool hark back to the era of Golden Hollywood when Bogart was king and bathing suits left something to the imagination. It's no surprise, therefore, that the Chamberlain was selected by Conde Nast Traveler as one of only three 2006 Hot List hotels in Los Angeles.

We've saved the best for last. Check out why the Figueroa Hotel rocks our world, after the jump.