The phrase “airport hotel” is one we often catch ourselves using as shorthand for the uninspired and uncomfortable places that are the antithesis of everything we at Tablet hold dear. So it’s kind of a big deal when one of them turns out to be as sleek, stylish and thoughtfully put together as any European-capital design boutique. Well, when the facts change, as some great man or another said, we change our minds. And if airport hotels in Los Angeles or elsewhere start looking more like the Custom Hotel, then we’re going to be eating a lot of crow.

Little danger, for now. The Custom is just about one-of-a-kind; it’s still a concrete tower, not much could be done about that, but it’s one with a poolside bar and cabanas, an attractive wood-paneled lobby bar, even a DJ lounge and an outdoor fire pit. And the rooms: nobody minds a tower hotel when they get a look at the views, and the bedrooms come equipped with all the necessities, including free wi-fi and iPod attachments. It’s a good deal, a long way more stylish than it needs to be, and if you don’t need to be within walking distance of much of anything, it’s not at all inconvenient — and this being LA, you probably weren’t planning on walking anywhere anyway.

How to get there: Custom Hotel is a 5 minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport and offers a complimentary door-to-door airport shuttle.

Style: Cutting-Edge

Atmosphere: Lively

250 Rooms - Rates start at US$ 73