If you live in LA and want to do a romantic rendezvous right, then you will need money—lots of it. However, with the economy struggling as it is, Beverly Hills (and Los Angeles) is not immune, so be on the lookout for special packages and discounted hotel rates. And as always, if you can, don’t be afraid to book weekday stays to help keep costs down. 

With money out of the way, I present to you my top romantic LA getaways, in no particular order!

1) Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows 
*My favorite hotel of all time. For girls especially, you’ll feel like you’re on a more upscale set of “The Golden Girls,” with its big green palm leaves and pink plush couches. In actuality, the hotel’s bungalows were used for various scenes in “Troop Beverly Hills.” The Pink Hotel, as it is known, is a throwback to old school Los Angeles, and the serene walkways and lush landscape exude romance. From the Fountain Coffee Shop (a favorite of stars past and present) to the Polo Lounge (eat outdoors during the day; inside at night), you can’t go wrong. The impeccable staff makes you feel as though you’re the most famous celeb, and the hidden bungalows and spacious rooms give you all the privacy a romantic couple like yourself could ask for. By the way, the pool (with its yellow-striped cabanas) is to die for! www.BeverlyHillsHotel.com

2) Montage, Beverly Hills 
*For Beverly Hill’s newest addition, head south of Sunset to the still-smells-like-new Montage Beverly Hills. Unlike it’s sister location in Laguna Beach (which if you ask me, is overrated aside from the view), the Beverly Hills location will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Moroccan Palace. It is grandiose in size, but cozy and warm at the same time. From the dark-wood paneled library to the outdoor courtyard, it is a lesson in style. Best of all, it is smack dab in the middle of Beverly Hills, which is perfect for shopping sprees and walks along Via Rodeo 2, the most romantic side street in the country. www.MontageBeverlyHills.com

3) Regent Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel  
*Also knows as “The Pretty Woman Hotel,” the Reg. Bev. Wil. (as Cat in the movie called it) was bought by the Four Seasons Corporation a few years back. Although the change in ownership made RBW faithful worried that the hotel would lose it’s charm, it turned out they had nothing to worry about. If anything, it’s even better. The minute you enter the lobby, you feel—for lack of a better word—like “Pretty Woman”—and will be mesmerized by the romantic décor and jewels in the windows. On the dining front, Wolfgang Puck’s Cut is one of the best steakhouses around, but if you can’t afford the sky-high prices, head next door to its more casual counterpart, Sidebar, for the most amazing Kobe sliders hands down.www.fourseasons.com/beverlywilshire/

4) The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles
*For a more urban-romantic feel, head downtown to the almost-opened Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles. Part of the LA Live experience, you’ll feel as though you’re in Chicago, New York, or somewhere else where sleek skyscrapers reign. Surrounded by the Staples Center, Nokia Live, and romantic restaurants like Flemings and Katsuya, the Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles will no doubt be a destination not only for out-of-towners, but LA locals who normally don’t stray from the confines of West Hollywood or Malibu.www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Los Angeles/Default.htm

5) Shutters on the Beach, Santa Monica  
*If you want to be swept away by a beachside resort, hit up Santa Monica’s Shutters on the Beach, a Hamptons-esque getaway. The décor is as white and soft as the sand in Bermuda (did you think I’d say LA? Ha!), and the ocean air will immediately relax and calm you and your significant other. The brunch on Sundays is not to be missed, and yes, that is Jennifer Aniston walking through the lobby. www.ShuttersontheBeach.com

6) The Balboa Bay Club & Resort, Newport Beach 
*If you don’t mind the hour drive south, then you must not miss the Balboa Bay Club & Resort in Newport Beach. The water is cleaner and bluer, and the city of Newport Beach is less touristy (and more laid-back) than the hustle-and-bustle of Los Angeles. Ride on tandem bikes, enjoy a gorgeous view from your deck, or make your way to the incredibly charming, oak-lined Marine St. on Balboa Island. Here you can find an array of stores and boutiques nowhere else in Los Angeles, and feel like a local at the Frozen Banana stand. It was also here where much of “The OC” was set, and you can see why no one ever wanted to leave. As much as people rave about Santa Barbara, I truly believe Newport Beach is more akin to the charming beach towns you hear about, and have always wanted to visit. www.BalboaBayClub.com

For more information, or to read more about Jessica, visit her blog at www.blog.JessicaRadloff.com or her website at www.JessicaRadloff.com