Best Hotels in Los Angeles for Hip-Hop Culture Enthusiasts
LA is at the center of the music and entertainment industries, so the hotels in Los Angeles routinely receive thousands of celebrity guests, visiting for business or pleasure. Among the many delights of LA travel is the chance to see or stay at places of historic significance.
By Austin FidoNov. 25 2025, Published 1:00 p.m. ET
For fans of hip-hop, check out the iconic hotels in LA steeped in the genre's deep history and culture.
The one you know from lyrics...
Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
Perhaps it's because it's an easy phrase to rhyme, certainly it's because it's a high-profile brand: Rappers love the Four Seasons. Everyone from Jay-Z to Kanye and Lil Yachty seems to have namechecked the luxury hotel line at some point in their careers. Drake and Meek Mill even dragged it into their beef.
However, Game might have phrased it best in "Jesus Piece": "God says everything happens for a reason/I seen four seasons at The Four Seasons."
The one you know from a music video...
Beverly Wilshire
The historic Beverly Wilshire has hosted presidents, monarchs, and the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. But it makes this list thanks to Queen Bey, Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter. Beyoncé maybe didn't make the Beverly Wilshire famous, but she made sure it stayed relevant by cutting a three-and-a-half-minute montage of herself dancing around its Presidential Suite for the 7/11 video.
The one where Death Row Records got its start...
The London West Hollywood
LA hotels' hip-hop connections aren't always obvious. For example, it's had a name change and a makeover, but the London West Hollywood was originally the Bel Age Hotel.
According to hip-hop legend, this is where Suge Knight shook down Vanilla Ice for the rights to "Ice Ice Baby." Rumor has it that the rights to Vanilla Ice's smash hit gave Knight the money he needed to start Death Row Records. And the transfer of those rights was allegedly sealed in a room at the Bel Age (now London West Hollywood).
The one you might not know that you know...
Sunset Marquis Hotel
The Sunset Marquis has been an LA landmark since it opened its doors in 1963. It was the go-to place to stay in the City of Angels for celebrities from Bob Marley to Jennifer Aniston.
The Sunset Marquis is elevated to hip-hop royalty status by its association with Nightbird Recording Studios, housed underground beneath the hotel. Nightbird's client list includes hip-hop all-stars like Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
