Tucked away on a quiet residential street, the Sunset Marquis has been a refuge for musicians, fashion insiders and entertainment-industry elite for four decades, with all the rooftop pool-diving and whim-catering entailed in a proper West Hollywood hideaway.

The number of rooms at the Sunset Marquis—52 villas, 114 suites—belies its boutique atmosphere, created on first impression by its friendly staff, who’ll probably call you by name, even if you’re not likely to star in your own "True Hollywood Story" anytime soon. Two years and $20 million worth of renovations will conclude September 2007, including a large new restaurant overlooking the well-tended garden area and koi pond, and an expanded garage for those hard-to-park tour buses. The hotel is located right off the Strip, but guests looking for a more relaxing way to unwind can head downstairs to Bar 1200, a low-key lounge that regularly attracts famous Hollywood types. Even if you check in by yourself, no one at the Sunset Marquis ever has to sleep alone: The hotel’s signature plush gold teddy bears see to that.—Tara Tyson