Best Pool Hotels in Pasadena

Sitting about 10 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, The Langham Huntington, Pasadena has stood as an icon of greater L.A. luxury since 1907. This grand dame of hospitality occupies 23 acres at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, boasting spectacular views unaltered by the city's newer high-rises. Though it's been around for more than a century, The Langham Huntington has yet to start showing its age. Guests describe the property as beautiful – with classic 20th-century decor and a rich color palate – and well-maintained. Accommodations here come with four-poster beds, Italian marble bathrooms and French doors, as well as more modern amenities such as iPod docking stations and flat-screen TVs. Visitors also praise the expensive property's spa and The Royce Wood-Fired Steakhouse.

Staying in Pasadena will place you about 10 miles northeast of the L.A. social scene — which could translate to 25 minutes to an hour of driving time in this area's notorious traffic. Still, guests of this Westin hotel had little to no problem witht the location, particularly when you factor the slight discount you'll get by staying away from the thick of it all. The top perks of the rooms here include the 42-inch flat-screen TVs and Westin's trademark Heavenly Beds. Two golf courses are nearby (the Brookside Golf Course and the Eaton Canyon Golf Course), and you'll find an outdoor pool and a fully equipped fitness center on site. As far as dining goes, there is California cuisine at Ventanas Restaurant, but some note that there were a few glitches with the service. And because this hotel is part of the Marriott hotel family, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and use points here.