6 Boutique Hotels for Discerning World Cup Fans
When the FIFA World Cup 2026 arrives in California this summer, the matches won’t be the only thing worth planning around. Think sunset cocktails above Venice Beach, quiet mornings overlooking protected wetlands, and al fresco dining at a French-inspired chateau. While most fans will default to hotel chains, the smarter play is a boutique stay within easy reach of the stadium—places where design, location, and sense of place elevate the entire trip. Book early. Demand will be fierce, and these standout hotels won’t remain under the radar for long.
World Cup Games in Los Angeles
SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will host eight matches this summer, including the U.S. Men’s National Team opener against Paraguay on June 12—the first 2026 World Cup game on U.S. soil. Belgium, Switzerland, Iran, and New Zealand will also take the pitch during the group stage, followed by two rounds of 32 knockout matches and a quarterfinal on July 10. All four of our Los Angeles hotel picks are less than 10 miles from the stadium, an easy 20 to 30-minute drive depending on traffic.
Hotel Erwin
Hotel Erwin is Venice Beach distilled—vibrant, artistic, and eclectic. Just steps from the famous boardwalk and wide sandy beach, the hotel is a love letter to Venice Beach’s madcap creative spirit but with an elevated vibe. Each ocean- or city-view room features touches of whimsy and well-curated honor bars. Upstairs at Kassi, join the party at Venice Beach’s only rooftop bar, where D.J.s spin tunes, bartenders shake up cocktails, and miles of glittering coastline spread out before you. Mornings begin downstairs with a complimentary breakfast at Barlo Kitchen. Later, order one of Pizza Girl’s Instagram-famous pies to be delivered to your door.
The Kinney Venice Beach
The Kinney puts you at the top of Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice Beach’s most celebrated strip of galleries, boutiques, and chef-driven restaurants. Luxe rooms channel the neighborhood’s creative streak with bold pop art and graphic prints. After a day at SoFi Stadium, The Quad is where you’ll want to unwind—a courtyard scene with fire pits, ping pong, and a heated pool that draws fellow travelers into easy conversation. For morning runs or post-match victory laps, the Venice Beach Boardwalk is less than a mile away. Take a complimentary beach cruiser out for a spin to explore the 30-mile path running along the beach.
H2O Hermosa Beach Hotel
By day, Hermosa Beach trades Venice Beach’s carnival atmosphere for something mellower—a wide stretch of sand dotted with sunbathers and surfers. After the sun goes down, the town pulses with nightlife. H2O Hermosa Beach Hotel sits just one block from the beach and all the action. Its rooms feature clean lines and ocean-inspired hues, and most come with ocean-view balconies. Grab a drink in the lobby bar or head to the rooftop lounge to watch the sunset. In the morning, rent a surfboard to catch a few waves before heading to the stadium or rent an e-bike to cruise the 30-mile path along the beach.
Inn at Playa del Rey
A world away from the bustle of the city but just 20 minutes from SoFi Stadium, Inn at Playa del Rey is a seaside B&B overlooking the 600-acre Ballona Wetlands. It’s an ideal perch for watching great blue herons and snowy egrets wade through the marshes. The pace here is restorative, a serene counterpoint to the energy of the stadium. Enjoy afternoons with homemade cookies and lemonade, while evenings feature a wine-and-cheese hour. But mornings at the inn steal the show, with made-to-order soufflés that rival any brunch spot in the city. Rooms are styled in coastal cottage tones, and the beach is a 10-minute stroll away.
World Cup Games in the San Francisco Bay Area
Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara draws six matches, beginning with Qatar versus Switzerland on June 13. Paraguay and Australia meet here on June 25, and a round of 32 knockout game follows on July 1. The Bay Area has no shortage of chain hotels, but two standouts offer something the big brands can’t: character, intimacy, and a reason to linger between matches.
Enchanté Boutique Hotel
A French château in Silicon Valley sounds improbable until you step inside Enchanté Boutique Hotel. Rooms are appointed with antiques sourced from Paris, Carrara marble baths, and thoughtful details that earned it a spot on TripAdvisor’s Top 10 U.S. Hotels list. Campagne One Main Bistro, built with 200-year-old timbers, draws locals for live music, a carefully curated wine list, and what regulars insist are the best pommes frites in the Bay Area. French doors open to a gas-lit patio where the evening unfolds at a decidedly European pace. A short walk to downtown Los Altos puts you among leafy sidewalks and neighborhood cafés.
Atherton Inn
On a tree-lined residential street in one of America’s wealthiest enclaves, Atherton Inn could pass for a private home, which is precisely the point. The 6,400-square-foot property offers just five rooms, each overlooking gardens manicured with the same care as the neighboring estates. In the living room, a semi-circle of recliners sits in view of a large, flat-screen TV, and a 24-hour beverage bar stocks craft cocktails for your own private after-party. Mornings bring a made-to-order breakfast served in a sunny dining room. It’s the perfect solution if you’re looking for a genuine welcome on an intimate scale.