L.A. is picked best place for hotels

WSJ's Laura Landro wrapped up her stint as the paper's Finicky Traveler with a rundown of favorite hotels. Her choice U.S. city is Los Angeles.

It wins hands down, offering the option of staying at the beach, in town, or in a garden setting close enough to the day's business. I'll always have a soft spot for the Beverly Hills Hotel, with its Hollywood pedigree, great pool for laps, and the storied Polo Lounge, and I wait with bated breath for the storied Bel-Air to reopen after a major renovation. The Peninsula's elegance and service cannot be beat, and Shutters at the Beach offers a tranquil retreat on the Pacific.

She chose the San Ysidro Ranch as the most romantic U.S. property. As you might gather from these selections, the Finicky Traveler goes to some of the world's most expensive hotels and resorts. That means on the order of $500+ per night (often well more than that).