Los Angeles - JW Marriott VS Hyatt century Plaza

Im a Marriott platinum and a Hyatt diamond for both these stays. The final price for 3 nights I'm looking for is $60 so really $20 per night. I have already 4 nights at JW marriott so I Was thinking of looking for something different for the experience (never been to l.a) .
The JW have and will upgrade me to a junior suite. What's the lounge/breakie and wifi like and the location ? The Hyatt CP I can use a suite UG I'm guessing getting me into a century plaza suite which looks bigger than the JW but bigger isn't better.
Things that I'm interested in is the pool area(indoor , outdoor) heated or cold. The lounge offering hot and cold dishes . The location close to shopping centres and things to do within walking distance as I will have no car. I also have two children 4 and 2 to facture in

Thanks .

Are you asking for a comparison between the Century Plaza Hotel and the JW Marriott in downtown Los Angeles? The former JW Marriott Hotel in Century City is now an Intercontinental (http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/overview/LAXHA?rpb) property.

The Century Plaza is right across Constellation Boulevard from the Century City Shopping Center. The Intercontinental is a few blocks farther.

Im a Marriott platinum and a Hyatt diamond for both these stays. The final price for 3 nights I'm looking for is $60 so really $20 per night. I have already 4 nights at JW marriott so I Was thinking of looking for something different for the experience (never been to l.a) .
The JW have and will upgrade me to a junior suite. What's the lounge/breakie and wifi like and the location ? The Hyatt CP I can use a suite UG I'm guessing getting me into a century plaza suite which looks bigger than the JW but bigger isn't better.
Things that I'm interested in is the pool area(indoor , outdoor) heated or cold. The lounge offering hot and cold dishes . The location close to shopping centres and things to do within walking distance as I will have no car. I also have two children 4 and 2 to facture in

Thanks .

The JW Marriott is downtown at LA Live, completely different location than the Hyatt Century Plaza. Never stayed at the JW but have been to the Ritz-Carlton in the same building (on the upper floors) and its a fairly good property opened in 2010. There isn't much to do besides the Staples Center, Nokia Theater, Fleming's and not much shopping in the area. The JW does have a nice pool though, although the amenities are not shared with the Ritz-Carlton. Good luck finding a $20 rate, but if you do let me know.

Never stayed at the Hyatt Century plaza but they have what appears to be a nice pool and shopping nearby. But seriously you're coming to LA, especially with kids you should get a car.

Don't you already have a thread going on this topic/trip?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/los-angeles/1307944-2-weeks-l-2-kids.html

The JW Marriott is downtown at LA Live, completely different location than the Hyatt Century Plaza. Never stayed at the JW but have been to the Ritz-Carlton in the same building (on the upper floors) and its a fairly good property opened in 2010. There isn't much to do besides the Staples Center, Nokia Theater, Fleming's and not much shopping in the area. The JW does have a nice pool though, although the amenities are not shared with the Ritz-Carlton. Good luck finding a $20 rate, but if you do let me know.

Never stayed at the Hyatt Century plaza but they have what appears to be a nice pool and shopping nearby. But seriously you're coming to LA, especially with kids you should get a car.

If you don't have a car, Downtown LA (JW Marriott) is where you should stay as you are close to the LA subway system that can get you to Hollywood, Universal Studios and the train station that can take you to Disneyland among other places. You can also catch The Big Blue Bus (Santa Monica public transit) to Santa Monica from there as well.

There is plenty of shopping in Downtown LA including several small malls with Figat7th, Macy's Plaza, City National Plaza and then you have the Fashion District, Jewelry District, Little Tokyo, Chinatown and Olvera Street, all there in Downtown.

Century City does have a mall there, but public transportation options are more limited.

If you have a lot of Marriott points you could look at the JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot. It will have the best shopping close by, lots of restaurants and the beach.

Im comparing the JW Marriott la live to the Hyatt century city plaza. From reviews it appears the century city is an older decor style and JW is recently opened. I'm not staying with points. I have already a reservation of $151US plus taxes per night at the JW and Hyatt are runnin a pay 2 stay 3 promo which drops the prices around this amount.

I will have a car during the day but dropping off at night back at the depot to avoid paying $40 per night for parking.

I think il go with the JW Marriott

Im comparing the JW Marriott la live to the Hyatt century city plaza. From reviews it appears the century city is an older decor style and JW is recently opened. I'm not staying with points. I have already a reservation of $151US plus taxes per night at the JW and Hyatt are runnin a pay 2 stay 3 promo which drops the prices around this amount.

I will have a car during the day but dropping off at night back at the depot to avoid paying $40 per night for parking.

I think il go with the JW Marriott .

Does anyone have any loumge comparisons between the two

Depends on where else you're going and why you will be there. We have stayed in the downtown area twice (at the Millennium Biltmore). Found no lack of things to do and places to eat, but we were there for just one night the first time and two nights the second. Haven'te ven been to L.A. Live, Grammy Museum, etc. Angels Flight, Grand Central Market, Bradbury Building, Music Center (incl. Disney Hall) are among places you could go. But with kids? I don't know.

Do NOT bank on the main tourist sites being within walking distance of any hotel. This is L.A. Huge, spread-out and car-oriented. For first-time tourists, especially with families, I'd suggest a beach area such as Santa Monica, but that may not be doable for you. Renting and returning a car every night i9n order to avoid parking fees? Remember, you will still have to pay parking fees if visiting Hollywood,movie studios (most of which aren't in Hollywood), Disneyland, etc. By "depot" do you mean Union Station? You'll go there by subway or cab each day and night to avoid parking fees? Really, for that hassle I'd seriously consider another area.

Im comparing the JW Marriott la live to the Hyatt century city plaza. From reviews it appears the century city is an older decor style and JW is recently opened.

The Century Plaza Hotel (sorry, I can't get used to referring to it as a Hyatt) is an iconic Los Angeles landmark (http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/sites/western-region/century-plaza-hotel.html). It was designed by architect Minoru Yamasaki who is best known for his design of the World Trade Center Twin Towers.

Over the years, the hotel hosted (http://www.seeing-stars.com/hotels/centuryplaza.shtml) numerous foreign dignitaries, presidents and celebrities.

The Century Plaza Hotel (sorry, I can't get used to referring to it as a Hyatt) is an iconic Los Angeles landmark (http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/sites/western-region/century-plaza-hotel.html). It was designed by architect Minoru Yamasaki who is best known for his design of the World Trade Center Twin Towers.

Over the years, the hotel hosted (http://www.seeing-stars.com/hotels/centuryplaza.shtml) numerous foreign dignitaries, presidents and celebrities.

When I worked in CC in the 80s and we'd hear lots of helicopters - it usually meant Ronnie was on his way ;)

Wow that is impressive guest list for a hotel. The biggest star I have seen is Russell Crowe that's here in Sydney !
When I refer to depot I mean return the car to the nearest hertz location. I'm doing this for a few reason. Firstly I manged to get 10 hertz free day certifcates so they car won't be costing me too much. Secondly I noticed there are hertz every second street in Los angles so I won't be using the car at night . I'm planning to pick up the car use it all day and then when I return to the hotel drop of the kids drive around the corner drop off the car. These hotels I'm staying at charge a average of $40 per night now over two weeks that's over $500 in parking fees it adds up for me.
I'm not a on a right budget but if I can save $500 by walking 15 mins a day I would do it for the rest of my life.
I'm still favoured to the JW I think I will be treated better there as a platinum. Then a diamond at th century plaza. But thanks for the info it was interesting . It's good to know I'm staying at the Beverly Hilton where the current president sleeps.

Check the Hertz Web site for the operating hours of the Hertz locations you plan on using. Most non-airport locations I looked at recently open by 7:30 a.m., which is fine, but many-- including at the JW Marriott and even at Union Station-- showed a closing time of 6 p.m. or earlier. I'm sure you've already verified that the off-airport locations you are considering will accept your certificates.

Even if you stay at the JW Marriott, I imagine you'll spend most of your daytime hours outside of downtown, but you all might still enjoy Angels Flight and Olvera Street (Internet search will show you lots of info and photos). If you're a film buff, you might enjoy seeing Union Station and the Bradbury Building, where many movies were shot, and the Millennium Biltmore hotel, where the Academy Awards ceremonies took place in the early 1930s (there are photos in the lobby) but your kids may not appreciate either one. I know you'll have a car, but to visit nearby places, including Hollywood, you could take the rather nice but limited subway system.

Ronald Reagan had his own office/suite at top of Fox Plaza (aka Nakatomi Tower from Die Hard movie), which is next to the Century Plaza.

Century Plaza Hotel is however, frequently used by all the Presidents, including the current one. Typically, the secret service will bring Obama in from LAX onboard Marine One helicopter and drop him at the Rancho Park Golf Course. From there, he is driven to the Plaza.

Century Plaza Hotel is however, frequently used by all the Presidents, including the current one. Typically, the secret service will bring Obama in from LAX onboard Marine One helicopter and drop him at the Rancho Park Golf Course. From there, he is driven to the Plaza.When the hotel was being designed and built in the 1960s, the Secret Service was consulted concerning the security aspects (this was shortly after the JFK assassination). Easier-to-secure underground ramps allow the POTUS limo to be brought in and out of the hotel in a more protected fashion, since street-side entrances can be avoided.

The Century Plaza Hotel (sorry, I can't get used to referring to it as a Hyatt) is an iconic Los Angeles landmark (http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/sites/western-region/century-plaza-hotel.html). It was designed by architect Minoru Yamasaki who is best known for his design of the World Trade Center Twin Towers.

Over the years, the hotel hosted (http://www.seeing-stars.com/hotels/centuryplaza.shtml) numerous foreign dignitaries, presidents and celebrities.

The Pritzker family and Hyatt sure doesn't like that.

Interesting, this property is a category 5 in Gold Passport, same level as hotels like PH Shanghai, PH Toronto and other more upscale properties that generally have higher rates...

Check the Hertz Web site for the operating hours of the Hertz locations you plan on using. Most non-airport locations I looked at recently open by 7:30 a.m., which is fine, but many-- including at the JW Marriott and even at Union Station-- showed a closing time of 6 p.m. or earlier. I'm sure you've already verified that the off-airport locations you are considering will accept your certificates.

Even if you stay at the JW Marriott, I imagine you'll spend most of your daytime hours outside of downtown, but you all might still enjoy Angels Flight and Olvera Street (Internet search will show you lots of info and photos). If you're a film buff, you might enjoy seeing Union Station and the Bradbury Building, where many movies were shot, and the Millennium Biltmore hotel, where the Academy Awards ceremonies took place in the early 1930s (there are photos in the lobby) but your kids may not appreciate either one. I know you'll have a car, but to visit nearby places, including Hollywood, you could take the rather nice but
limited subway system.


Awesome thanks il take a look. Yes they accept the certificate and I'm a hertz pc so hopefully upgraded from the standard. I wasn't aware the location closed so early wasn't even thinking about it to be honest :rolleyes:

Awesome thanks il take a look. Yes they accept the certificate and I'm a hertz pc so hopefully upgraded from the standard. I wasn't aware the location closed so early wasn't even thinking about it to be honest :rolleyes:

The reservation/service desk may close early at "in-town" locations but they typically will accept returns past normal business hours. The garage they use are usually open 24 hours (typically at a hotel) so you can return the cars late at night and just drop the keys off in the lock box.

The reservation/service desk may close early at "in-town" locations but they typically will accept returns past normal business hours. The garage they use are usually open 24 hours (typically at a hotel) so you can return the cars late at night and just drop the keys off in the lock box.

I've always been nervous about returning a car and not having some there to note lack of damage but, yes, most locations can accept returns after hours (easy enough to confirm with a phone call; if, somehow, the JR Marriott location doesn't, I'd bet Union Station does). I imagine paying a daily rate each day could add up to more than a weekly rate, but OP is using certificates so that doesn't seem to be a worry. My biggest problem with off-airport locations has been a lack of selection of cars but for many that's not a concern. If it's a franchise location I verify there's no mileage charge.

When the hotel was being designed and built in the 1960s, the Secret Service was consulted concerning the security aspects (this was shortly after the JFK assassination). Easier-to-secure underground ramps allow the POTUS limo to be brought in and out of the hotel in a more protected fashion, since street-side entrances can be avoided.

Hmmm, not sure Obama has stayed at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza yet. I know he worked out at the Equinox Fitness club there, but the tower next to the HRCP where presidents used to stay was torn down and the 42 story The Century condos were built. The tower they tore down was separate from the the curved hotel, had a subterranean entrance and an elevator directly to the Presidential Suite with no other stops other than the garage, service and suite. That was why the Secret Service liked it.

I know he has stayed at the Beverly Hilton, which is where I think he was this last trip for the Clooney party.

Coming back from the JW Marriott I can say that the lounge offering at nights are minimal and there is also a charge for the alcohol which I wasn't aware of even in the lounge. First time I have encountered that in any Hyatt Hilton or Marriott its usually complimentary .
Side note the Hyatt century plaza didn't look too good either I went to the lobby to return the hertz rental alot of riff raff hanging about