Adrift in Westwood’s sea of UCLA students, chain restaurants and nondescript luncheonettes, the W is incongruously trendy. You’ll wander from the elaborately sleek lobby, past the outdoor Backyard café to the retro-chic pool area, full of sunglasses-clad cool kids, and wonder how this scene landed amid so many sub shops. Stroll over to the nearby weekly Thursday Farmers’ Market for fresh fruit and tamales and to snag finds such as ridiculously inexpensive and scrumptious Diddy Riese cookies (grab an ice-cream cookie sandwich, stat), but the W is mostly a self-contained experience, complete with summer poolside film screenings, hipster lobby art openings, Bliss Spa treatments and Whiskey Blue cocktail hours with model types in tow. Thom Filicia of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy helmed a recent redesign of bungalow rooms and poolside cabanas (hooked up with “Intellichaise” technology, so sun worshippers can order refreshments and peruse local offerings sans effort). New executive chef Monique King elevates fare at eateries NINETHIRTY and The Backyard—the latter is a perfect outdoor spot to sip a cocktail while you try on your best cool-kid impression.

W Los Angeles Westwood Amenities:

• 258 rooms. High-speed Internet access. Restaurant, bar. Fitness center. Pool. Spa.