Family-friendly ammentities

Nickel Diner

524 South Main Street, 213-623-8301; www.5cdiner.com

With its cheery red façade, this newish downtown spot has become a neighborhood favorite, both with the business types who frequent the area during the day and the loft-dwellers who call it home 24/7. Kids—especially older ones—will like its retro vibe with cushy booths and vintage wallpaper. At lunch it's got menu items like a house-specialty mac n' cheese and burgers, and at dinner there's spaghetti and meatballs. But it's the Maple-glazed Bacon Donut that has quickly become its signature item.

Renaissance Hollywood

1775 North Highland Avenue, Los Angeles; 323-856-1200; www.renaissancehollywood.com

The Renaissance Hollywood was revamped in 2001 as part of the larger project to renew the Hollywood area. It now serves as the base for celebrities and paparazzi on Oscar night, but despite that glamorous claim to fame, it's really just a sleek Marriott with a location that can't be beat for sightseeing. Ask for a room on the 7th floor or above with a view of the Hollywood sign if you really want to impress the kids.

Hollywood Roosevelt

7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles; 323-466-7000; www.hollywoodroosevelt.com

The Hollywood Roosevelt is the reigning queen of Hollywood hotels, though to be truthful, there isn't much competition. Still, with its day-into-night pool scene, celebrity-friendly restaurants and bars, and Hollywood Boulevard location, older kids will think they've died and gone to The Hills. While younger kids might be overwhelmed by the scene, once outside, you're just a hop, skip and jump from Grauman's Chinese Theater, the El Capitan (where Disney films rule) and the hustle and bustle of the Walk of Fame.

Kyoto Grand Hotel

120 South Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles; 213-629-1200; www.kyotograndhotel.com

This smallish hotel (434 rooms) in Little Tokyo provides a tranquil oasis from the bustle of downtown. Its showpiece is its "Garden in the Sky," a half-acre retreat on the 3rd floor that is modeled after an authentic Japanese "strolling garden," with waterfalls and lush greenery sure to delight kids. The hotel also offers a free shuttle to any place in a three-mile radius, making it easy to get children to nearby attractions like the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

The Standard

550 South Flower Street, Los Angeles; 213-892-8080; The Standard LA Website

Need to prove that you're still with it? Book a room for yourself and the kids at The Standard Downtown and they can't fail to be impressed with your cool quotient. This bastion of hipness boasts the best and most happening rooftop pool in the area (maybe even in the city, but note it's closed to minors after 7pm), and, in the lobby, you'll probably find a DJ spinning, an art event, and if you're lucky, even a celebrity or two. This spot is best for teenagers, not youngsters, but definitely gives a Hollywood vibe for those older kids.

Hilton Checkers

535 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles; 213-624-0000; www.hiltoncheckers.com/

This boutique-style outpost of the Hilton chain is, in our opinion, the best hotel in the downtown area both for its elegance and friendliness. It's got an intimate feel, with excellent amenities, including a rooftop pool (which kids will love, but an adult must be with them), a stellar spa and an attentive staff. If you're planning a mother-daughter getaway, take advantage of the guided shopping trips of sample sales and secret locales offered on the weekends.

The Westin Bonaventure

404 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles; 213-624-1000; Westin Bonaventure LA Website

The Westin is a large convention hotel with all the usual amenities of a big-city facility, from workout spaces to food courts. For kids, the hotel offers a welcome package that includes child-proofing items like socket covers to keep toddlers safe, as well as fun items like a mini-backpack and a rubber duck. The concierge will also help arrange babysitting from one of two licensed, bonded, all-female services, and for an added bonus, the hotel is even pet-friendly, so Fido can come along if you're game.

Shangri-La

1301 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica; 877-999-1301; www.shangrila-hotel.com

Recently renovated, this whitewashed art-deco beauty has plenty of spacious one-bedroom suites with ocean views and kitchens for the family. Kids can crash on the couch pullout and or roll-aways. They will love the new mod pool and Jacuzzi area, iPod docks, and inputs to play video games on flat screens. Most importantly, you’re a stone’s throw from the Third Street kid zone.

Sheraton Delfina

530 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica; 310-399-9344; www.sheratonsantamonica.com

This business-traveler destination also favors families. Its contemporary, bright rooms in shades of blue and green play off the colors of the distant sea (several blocks away), and a free shuttle takes you anywhere within a mile of the hotel, like the beach or Promenade.

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

1700 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica; 310-458-6700; www.santamonicaloewshotel.com/

This top-rated family hotel sits overlooking the beach and has the best Westside kid pool. The airy yellow rooms in a beach-cottage style will please mom and dad, while the welcome toys, kidbanas by the pool, and pet-friendly policies will please the small fry and four-legged family members.