Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel

“Affordable” and “Rodeo Drive” are words that rarely go together, except in the case of this petite, 86-room boutique whose reasonably priced rooms overlook one of the ritziest shopping destinations in the world. But it’s not just those angling for Rodeo Drive shopping who book here -- close to the headquarters of more than one entertainment conglomerate, it's just as popular with traveling execs who'd rather not trek across town for that 9 a.m. meeting. And while this diminutive hotel lacks a pool or spa, it remains an excellent value for its plum location, low rates on rooms with luxurious Egyptian cotton bedding and free Wi-Fi, cheap social hour featuring farmers market-infused fresh cocktails, unexpected nightly turndown, and its nice on-site fitness enter. Guests can receive in-room spa treatments, however, provided by the Luxe Hotel Sunset Blvd.

Sandwiched between the Rolex and Michael Kors boutiques, the narrow entrance of the Luxe Rodeo Drive is easy to miss -- especially because it's swallowed up by outdoor seating for the restaurant instead of a traditional hotel foyer. What this tiny and elegant hotel lacks in stately size it makes up for in refined décor: The cozy, sophisticated lobby is done up in soothing shades of brown and beige, and a sunny mezzanine-level atrium has towel-draped lounge chairs shaded by oversize umbrellas.

For such a reasonable room rate, there are some impressive freebies and services thrown in -- like nightly turndown and a 24-hour concierge, for instance. Guests are greeted with a letter from the manager and a voucher for a free glass of wine or cappuccino, there's free in-room Wi-Fi, free HBO, a free daily newspaper, and free use of the business center (a Mac, PC, and computer in a side room off the lobby).

Granted, this 86-room hotel lacks the features of its larger seven-acre sister property in Bel Air, the Luxe Sunset Boulevard. The on-site restaurant (On Rodeo Bistro & Lounge) is diminutive and its Bar 360 is just a small brass bar table in the same room atsthe restaurant (not a separate venue, as it appears on the hotel website). Those looking for more amenities would be better served at other Beverly Hills boutiques like Avalon or Mosaic, both of which offer pools and poolside bars. And while the Luxe Hotel offers cribs and rollaways for a nightly fee, the mature decor and lack of kid-targeted features means it's not the pick for families that the Loews or Magic Castle are. Still, you won't stay elsewhere on Rodeo Drive for less -- or drink for less, either. The hotel offers a wallet-friendly social hour.

The Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive is sandwiched between the Valentino and Michael Kors boutiques, on the famous designer-heavy Rodeo Drive in tony Beverly Hills.

• There's little nightlife in Beverly Hills; the Sunset Strip, the mile-and-a-half stretch of Sunset Boulevard known for its cutting-edge rock clubs and night spots, is a 5- to 10-minute drive away.
• Santa Monica Beach is a 20- to 30-minute drive.
• A few miles, or about a 10- to 15-minute drive, to touristy Hollywood Boulevard, the Walk of Fame, and the celebrity footprints at Grauman's Chinese Theatre
• Universal Studios Hollywood, a movie-themed amusement park, is about 10 miles or a 25-minute drive.
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is about 16 miles away, a half-hour's drive in light traffic or more than twice as long in heavy traffic.

Rooms here run on the small side -- but come luxuriously outfitted with upscale linens and up-to-date electronics. If size is a greater priority, try the nearby Orlando with its 300-square-foot rooms instead. Standard Superior Rooms (180 square feet) overlook Rodeo Drive and come with two doubles or one king bed; Deluxes (over 220 square feet) overlook the unscenic back alley, but are less cramped than Superiors and come with two doubles or one king; Executive Junior Suites (not big for a suite, at just over 250 square feet) have a separate sitting area and double doors that open onto the mezzanine.

• Beds have Versai Egyptian 400 thread count cotton bedding that's quite comfortable topped with up to six down pillows and a feather duvet
• Balconies in some rooms; guests must request one upon booking.
• iHome iPod docks; free Wi-Fi
• 47-inch flat-screen TV has free HBO, but just 28 channels (and poor reception on a few of them); pay-per-view movies and just-missed TV episodes available.
• All-white bathrooms have tub/shower combos, but offer nothing special beyond two thick terrycloth robes; hotel-brand toiletries.