Starwood Preferred Guest - Need an SPG property that is near Long Beach OR Hollywood for a weekend stay

Please help me narrow down my choices, as I have mapped the route between Long Beach and Hollywood but have no idea which LA area hotels might "split the difference" or at least be close to one or the other. I've ruled out Pasadena hotels for being too far from Long Beach. Westin Bonaventure looks like a good location - close to Hollywood but in the direction of Long Beach so that might work. Westin Long Beach is an obvious choice. We'll be staying on points and I'm willing to consider anything from Cat 1 to Cat 4 - except the 4pts Culver City because I've read the reviews! Can anybody from the LA area make a suggestion?

Please help me narrow down my choices, as I have mapped the route between Long Beach and Hollywood but have no idea which LA area hotels might "split the difference" or at least be close to one or the other. I've ruled out Pasadena hotels for being too far from Long Beach. Westin Bonaventure looks like a good location - close to Hollywood but in the direction of Long Beach so that might work. Westin Long Beach is an obvious choice. We'll be staying on points and I'm willing to consider anything from Cat 1 to Cat 4 - except the 4pts Culver City because I've read the reviews! Can anybody from the LA area make a suggestion?


The Westin LB is a nice Westin property. No lounge...th lobby restaurant is decent...rooms are typical Westin rooms. I would recommend it.

Thanks for the recommendation. What's the parking situation at the Westin Long Beach? (and as an aside - does anybody know how to find details on parking availability/charges on the SPG web-site? I'm not having any luck)

Thanks for the recommendation. What's the parking situation at the Westin Long Beach? (and as an aside - does anybody know how to find details on parking availability/charges on the SPG web-site? I'm not having any luck)


IIRC parking was about $10/day and in a garage below the hotel. I usually stay there when I'm splitting my time between LA and OC. If you like a nice Westin then you shouldn't be disappointed.

At the Westin Long Beach, be sure to request a Harbor Side rm. Nice view. Nice property. Valet at the door.

I am not so fond of the Bonaventure, but only because of the design. A) it is huge, but the honeycomb layout with elevators central to each tower make getting to your room just as fast as any smaller hotel (this prop has approx 1300 rooms!) B) To me, the interior public areas are as cold as an underground parking garage. I felt little difference from front desk to the garage where we picked up the car from the valet.
On the plus side:
The room was very small, but cozy w/Heavenly bed & bath and a view of the Hollywood sign. The hotel sits within a circle of LA freeways, making getting around easy.

HTH

IIRC parking was about $10/day and in a garage below the hotel. I usually stay there when I'm splitting my time between LA and OC. If you like a nice Westin then you shouldn't be disappointed.

Parking is $11, and allows in-and-out privileges for an entire weekend.
There is a LOT of parking space, even with multiple conventions going on.
There is valet parking, but it didn't seem necessary.

Do you hold any status in Starwood Preferred Guest, such as Plantinum? That might influence which hotel I might recommend, as some hotels offer generally better Suite upgrade chances than others.

Also, is the hotel going to be a big part of your stay or just somewhere to hang your hat for the weekend while doing other things away from the hotel?

In the meantime since the Westin Long Beach is being discussed much here, here's some shots of a Jr. Suite there:

Westin Long Beach, California - Corner Jr. Suite Harbor Facing
http://members.aol.com/premexfiles/westLGB1047.jpg

While not pretty, the drive from Pasadena to Long Beach is not bad at all. It's a straight shot down the 710.

Do you hold any status in Starwood Preferred Guest, such as Plantinum? That might influence which hotel I might recommend, as some hotels offer generally better Suite upgrade chances than others.

Just Gold so I don't expect any upgrades.

Also, is the hotel going to be a big part of your stay or just somewhere to hang your hat for the weekend while doing other things away from the hotel?


We have a big event in Long Beach on Sat & Sun that weekend, so I decided to add a show Friday night in Hollywood. Therefore - not much time will be spent in the room. For the starpoints required, Westin Long Beach sounds very nice and since it's so close to our Sat/Sun plans I think I'll book it.

(edited to say I hadn't thought about my program profile being important before - so I've added it)