Where to stay in the American West?

On Ellis Street, right downtown. For a central hostel, with the cable car to Fisherman's Wharf and the bus to the Golden Gate Bridge.

On Broadway, at Telegraph Hill, in North Beach. For a hostel in the Italian quarter, between Chinatown and the Wharf, all on foot.

On Mason Street, at Fisherman's Wharf, between North Beach and the waterfront. For a simple hotel within walking distance of the Alcatraz ferry and Lombard Street.

Built in 1906 just after the earthquake; the bathrooms are shared, in the old style.

On Mason Street, on Nob Hill, at the top of the hill. For views over the city and the cable car passing the door, all the way to the Wharf and Lombard Street.

Opened in 1907; the hotel is home to the Tonga Room, a historic tiki bar, and the California Street cable car line runs past the front.

On Stockton Street, on Nob Hill, on the edge of Chinatown. For a quiet luxury hotel on the hill, with Chinatown on foot and the cable car to the Wharf.

On Market Street, at Union Square, on the main thoroughfare. For a central luxury hotel, with the historic Market Street streetcars to reach the Wharf.

In the east of Yosemite Valley, at Curry Village, below Glacier Point. For sleeping in a tent or cabin in the heart of the park, with the valley shuttle and the trails right outside the camp.

On Ahwahnee Drive, in the valley, at the foot of the granite walls. For sleeping inside the park, with Half Dome in view and the valley trails on the doorstep.

Opened in 1927 and listed as a National Historic Landmark; its interiors inspired the hotel set in The Shining.

On South Las Vegas Boulevard, 1.7 km from the centre, between Fremont Street and the Strip. For a budget hostel, with the boulevard bus to reach both.

On North Las Vegas Boulevard, Downtown, 100 m from the centre, next to Fremont Street. For those who prefer old Vegas to the Strip, with everything on foot in the evening.

On the Strip, on the northern part of the boulevard. For a large resort a little away from the crush of the central Strip, with a taxi to Fremont Street.

On Las Vegas Boulevard, at CityCenter. For a modern hotel in the middle of the Strip, with the big central casinos on foot and Fremont Street by taxi.

On Las Vegas Boulevard, in the middle of the Strip, next door to the Bellagio and its fountains. For the Las Vegas of the great casinos, with the Strip at night just outside the lobby.

Walk through the Forum Shops, the Caesars shopping arcade under its painted sky ceiling.

In the towers of Mandalay Bay, at the south end of the Strip, on South Las Vegas Boulevard. For a hushed hotel away from the bustle, with the middle of the Strip and its fountains by taxi.

The hotel has no casino of its own: the Mandalay Bay casino is next door, through an indoor corridor.

In Tusayan, in the park's gateway village. For a simple motel just before the south entrance, with the park shuttle to Mather Point in season.

On Canyon Plaza Lane, in Tusayan. For a hotel at the park entrance when the rim lodges are full, with a car for Desert View.

On Highway 64, in Tusayan. For a hotel at the park gateway, with the South Rim a quarter of an hour's drive away and the park shuttles in season.

On West 8th Street, Downtown. For a central design hostel, with the metro to Hollywood and Santa Monica, and Downtown on foot.

Set in the 1924 Commercial Exchange Building, right in the heart of Downtown.

On Hollywood Boulevard, in Hollywood, on the Walk of Fame. For a hostel in the middle of Hollywood, with the metro to Downtown and Griffith close by.

On Sunset Boulevard, in Beverly Hills, in the Flats. For those who come for the luxury hotel itself, with a car for the beaches and Hollywood.

Opened in 1912, before the city itself; the Pink Palace and its Polo Lounge are a film-industry institution.

On Wilshire Boulevard, in Beverly Hills. For a modern luxury hotel between the beaches and Hollywood, all by car, when you don't want to pick a side.

On Stone Canyon Road, in Bel Air canyon, above Westwood, far from the traffic. For a quiet stay among the greenery, with Santa Monica and Venice Beach by car.

Save some time for Swan Lake, the pond with its swans that made the hotel's name.

On South Lasky Drive, in Beverly Hills, a few streets from Rodeo Drive. A classic grand hotel on the west side of the city, with Santa Monica closer than Downtown.