As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.

There is a time in Hollywood history referred to as the Golden Age, beginning somewhere around 1920, when motion pictures became popular and the idea of a glamorous movie star came into existence. The names of the Hollywood elite from those epic days are still commonly known, and the grandeur of that time has an allure that cannot be disputed. There is a hidden hotel in West Hollywood that harkens from the Golden Age, and it is every bit worth experiencing. Come along as we show you what we think just might be one of the best hotels in Southern California. If you’re into SoCal hotels, this could be your place!

The Charlie is a unique landmark hotel in West Hollywood that the legendary Charlie Chaplin once called home. The hotel’s storybook design is enchanting and effortlessly welcoming.
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The property sits quietly on a beautiful West Hollywood residential street and due to the low-key signage and abundance of landscaping, even many locals don’t realize it’s here.
The hotel is actually a collection of 14 historical English-style bungalows drenched in English ivy and green foliage, fountains, and cobblestone paths.
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Stepping onto the grounds feels a bit like stepping into the past. It will make you feel like you're in a botanical garden!
Charlie Chaplin sold the property in the late 1940s and it gradually fell into disrepair.
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After being left to neglect for nearly 70 years, it was purchased and meticulously restored, with the addition of modern technology.
The property was first built in 1924 by the Ruth Gordon Family...
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...and as the story goes, several other Hollywood legends lived and/or visited here as well.

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In addition to Charlie Chaplin, it seems that Marilyn Monroe, Gloria Swanson, and others resided in the bungalows.
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The bungalows are actually named after some of the movie stars who stayed in them.
Each luxurious bungalow is fully self-contained with at least one bedroom (some have multiple bedrooms) and a full kitchen.
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All of them are tastefully decorated and honor their roots in the Golden Age of Hollywood.
The Charlie is not one of those huge hotels with tons of contemporary amenities - no pool, no spa, no restaurant. But it is nonetheless, luxurious, sophisticated, and charming.
The Charlie
There is wifi throughout the hotel, a sun deck, and quaint outdoor dining spaces. The hotel is within easy walking distance of upscale Los Angeles shopping and dining as well.
Private accommodations are full of comfortable furnishings and elegant touches such as little libraries, reading nooks, chandeliers and sconces, etc.
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This is a place where guests can breathe and feel the weight of the world lifted from their shoulders, like an escape into a secret garden.

Despite being just steps from the lights and nightlife of the famed Sunset Strip, The Charlie is a hidden gem that offers a refreshing oasis from the city. Experience some old-school glamour by booking your bungalow at The Charlie website.

While you are there, visit this dreamy little restaurant, another hidden gem in West Hollywood.

Have you ever heard of this hidden hotel in West Hollywood? Would you like to stay here for a few days? Would you agree that it is perhaps one of the best hotels in California? Do you know of any other Southern California boutique hotels? We’d love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!

How about a little more travel inspiration? Check out our collection of some of the best places to stay in Southern California. One of them is this beautiful desert condo in La Quinta.

If you’re still in the mood for more California adventures, take a look at this video about Yosemite National Park’s Legendary Firefall.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

More Golden State Adventures

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | January 17, 2024

Where are some fun facts about Southern California?

  • The hottest temperature ever recorded on earth was 134 degrees on July 10, 1913, in the town of Furnace Creek in Inyo County.
  • The town of Fallbrook is recognized as the Avocado Capital of the world.
  • The famous Santa Monica pier was originally used to move sewage offshore and is over 100 years old.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other fun facts about Southern California.

Where can we find natural wonders in California?

  • The Amboy Crater in the Mojave National Preserve rises some 250 feet above the desert landscape and is in an almost perfectly symmetrical shape.
  • The Cypress Tunnel at Point Reyes is considered one of California’s most iconic and popular tourist spots.
  • Lake Helen at Lassen Volcanic National Park offers its own unique perspective of the spectacular surrounding landscape.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other beautiful natural wonders in California.

Where can we see holiday lights in Southern California?

  • Santa’s Speedway Christmas Lights in Irwindale is an annual drive-thru event offering two miles of lighted fun.
  • The Sherman Library and Gardens between Laguna Beach and Newport Beach becomes a mesmerizing lighted garden in a fairytale storybook setting.
  • The amusement park Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park transforms into Knott’s “Merry” Farm with hundreds of holiday lights at this time of the year.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other places to see holiday lights in Southern California.

 

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