Palm trees and pink tennis balls punctuate the grounds; rooms and service live up to the legend. Even natives check in for poolside R & R. When lunch at the Polo Lounge is packed, grab a seat at The Fountain, a five-star greasy spoon one floor down.

The allure of this storied hotel is always star-studded. If you're not checking into one of the spacious, well appointed rooms or villas, come for the restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Late-night, the lobby draws a fetching crowd.

There’s something to be said for foregoing a check-in desk in favor of a handsome bar, settling into one of the 137 Hollywood Regency-style rooms with a classic Cipriani’s bellini in hand, then following the glamour to cabana by the pool. The word is vacation.

The excellently styled 32-room short-term stay counterpart to apartment-style Palihouse. The powder room-sized salon, Thai massage room, and artisan coffee bar and cafe make it hard to venture out, despite its convenient located in the middle of town.

Fling open the windows of the elegantly appointed seaside rooms and breathe in the ocean air. Bicycles are available for rent at the front desk and picnic lunches can be arranged if you want to cruise down Main Street or the paved promenade that stretches for miles along the beach.

The main difference between this sceney Downtown standby and Hollywood counterpart is location. Both are known for competitive rates, spacious rooms, debaucherous pool parties, and 24-hour eateries.