The consolidated "What to do on a layover at LAX" thread
#961
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: LAX/SMF/PDX/HNL
Programs: Hilton-lifetime diamond, Southwest A+, companion pass
Posts: 1,749
Looking from some suggestions from the FT hive mind.
Have a ~ 17 hour layover in LAX due to some ‘wonderful’ QF flight schedules. Flying SYD-LAX-JFK. Since I loathe red eyes, I’ve ended up with a long layover instead as the QF flight arrives LAX now at 1420.
So I land 1420 on a wednesday, then depart thursday morning 0800 to JFK.
Only travelling with a carry-on roller. Have been to LA a few times before. Tossing between just picking an airport hotel (all look a little bit meh) or considering trekking further, but the 0800 departure from LAX makes me a little cautious to even head into downtown.
Any thoughts or suggestions? IHG Diamond (the IHG options look pretty average at LAX), Hilton & Marriott Gold for what it’s worth
Have a ~ 17 hour layover in LAX due to some ‘wonderful’ QF flight schedules. Flying SYD-LAX-JFK. Since I loathe red eyes, I’ve ended up with a long layover instead as the QF flight arrives LAX now at 1420.
So I land 1420 on a wednesday, then depart thursday morning 0800 to JFK.
Only travelling with a carry-on roller. Have been to LA a few times before. Tossing between just picking an airport hotel (all look a little bit meh) or considering trekking further, but the 0800 departure from LAX makes me a little cautious to even head into downtown.
Any thoughts or suggestions? IHG Diamond (the IHG options look pretty average at LAX), Hilton & Marriott Gold for what it’s worth
Although I have never stayed there, I would check out the Culver Hotel in Culver City. It's famous and is in a great area of restaurants with a lively night scene.
Alternatively, come to the beach (especially if you are traveling in the spring or summer). I recommend Hermosa Beach for its on-the-sand hotels and live music nightlife.
Both Culver City and Hermosa are ~ 20 minute cab ride from LAX.
#962
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,407
Looking from some suggestions from the FT hive mind.
Have a ~ 17 hour layover in LAX due to some ‘wonderful’ QF flight schedules. Flying SYD-LAX-JFK. Since I loathe red eyes, I’ve ended up with a long layover instead as the QF flight arrives LAX now at 1420.
So I land 1420 on a wednesday, then depart thursday morning 0800 to JFK.
Only travelling with a carry-on roller. Have been to LA a few times before. Tossing between just picking an airport hotel (all look a little bit meh) or considering trekking further, but the 0800 departure from LAX makes me a little cautious to even head into downtown.
Any thoughts or suggestions? IHG Diamond (the IHG options look pretty average at LAX), Hilton & Marriott Gold for what it’s worth
Have a ~ 17 hour layover in LAX due to some ‘wonderful’ QF flight schedules. Flying SYD-LAX-JFK. Since I loathe red eyes, I’ve ended up with a long layover instead as the QF flight arrives LAX now at 1420.
So I land 1420 on a wednesday, then depart thursday morning 0800 to JFK.
Only travelling with a carry-on roller. Have been to LA a few times before. Tossing between just picking an airport hotel (all look a little bit meh) or considering trekking further, but the 0800 departure from LAX makes me a little cautious to even head into downtown.
Any thoughts or suggestions? IHG Diamond (the IHG options look pretty average at LAX), Hilton & Marriott Gold for what it’s worth
If you want something a bit fancy, look into one of the Kimpton options. Kimpton Palomar is in Westwood, and about 10 min walk from Westwood Blvd where there are lots of dining options as well. Palomar is also a short taxi or uber ride away from Beverly Hills and Mid City where a lot of upscale restaurants are located if you are into those kind of things. Budget 30 min to get back to LAX at 6 am.
I wouldn't trek to Downtown for your purpose. It's too far away and traffic will be unpredictable when you try to return the following morning. Also, The Intercontinental DTLA service has gone downhill (there is a thread on FT for that hotel). I recently stayed there for one night and was not impressed (the ridiculous resort fee and flagrant double charge for valet parking really crossed the line for me)
Last edited by bzcat; Feb 6, 2024 at 9:31 am
#963
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 85
I'm not sure a Day Use would be appropriate in our situation. We don't land until noon and by the time we clear customs, I don't see us getting to any hotel until after 2:00pm. I believe most day use that I have seen run from 8-9am to 4-5pm and our flight leaves about 10:30pm. We thought about just hanging out in the lounge the entire time because of the carry on and backpacks. I thought an airport hotel probably wouldn't have issue with us having our luggage.
#964
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,407
I'm not sure a Day Use would be appropriate in our situation. We don't land until noon and by the time we clear customs, I don't see us getting to any hotel until after 2:00pm. I believe most day use that I have seen run from 8-9am to 4-5pm and our flight leaves about 10:30pm. We thought about just hanging out in the lounge the entire time because of the carry on and backpacks. I thought an airport hotel probably wouldn't have issue with us having our luggage.
I think as long as you are spending money at the hotel, they wouldn't mind you using the shuttle.
Some ideas:
JK Steakhouse at Marriott
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotel...ws-steakhouse/
Icon at Renaissance
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotel...-like-a-local/
Daily Grill at Westin
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotel...irport/dining/
None of them really that special. If you are willing to venture out of the airport, I suggest the following:
Kanpai Japanese - one block north of airport. You can take the LAX-It shuttle to the Taxi/Uber lot and walk from there.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/kanpai-japa...sq=Restaurants
Ayara Thai - two blocks north of the airport. Just another block north from Kanpai.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/ayara-thai-los-angeles-2
The Ramen Joint - across the street from Ayara - same walking directions
https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-ramen-j...sq=Restaurants
In-N-Out - first place north of airport. Take the LAX-It shuttle then walk.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/in-n-out-bu...n-n-out+Burger
All these places are short walk from the LAX-It parking lot so perfectly doable with light carryon luggage. The walk from/to LAX will be good exercise after long haul flight.
#965
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott
Posts: 1,119
Skip downtown LA. It's too far for your limited time.
Although I have never stayed there, I would check out the Culver Hotel in Culver City. It's famous and is in a great area of restaurants with a lively night scene.
Alternatively, come to the beach (especially if you are traveling in the spring or summer). I recommend Hermosa Beach for its on-the-sand hotels and live music nightlife.
Both Culver City and Hermosa are ~ 20 minute cab ride from LAX.
Although I have never stayed there, I would check out the Culver Hotel in Culver City. It's famous and is in a great area of restaurants with a lively night scene.
Alternatively, come to the beach (especially if you are traveling in the spring or summer). I recommend Hermosa Beach for its on-the-sand hotels and live music nightlife.
Both Culver City and Hermosa are ~ 20 minute cab ride from LAX.
Then if NZJuniorDoc is still is a OWE, they can leave hotel around 630am, arrive at LAX by 7am, use AA's flagship first check-in and request a queue hop to the front of the security line. Plenty of time to make the flight. NZJuniorDoc could also start 30mins earlier and have a sit-down breakfast at the QF F lounge before the JFK flight. I presume they want to make it to NYC for dinner, else they would've chosen a later LAX-JFK flight.
#966
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 85
Ok, I misunderstood your original post. You are not trying to book a day use room. You just want to have dinner at a nice hotel restaurant.
I think as long as you are spending money at the hotel, they wouldn't mind you using the shuttle.
Some ideas:
JK Steakhouse at Marriott
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotel...ws-steakhouse/
Icon at Renaissance
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotel...-like-a-local/
Daily Grill at Westin
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotel...irport/dining/
None of them really that special. If you are willing to venture out of the airport, I suggest the following:
Kanpai Japanese - one block north of airport. You can take the LAX-It shuttle to the Taxi/Uber lot and walk from there.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/kanpai-japa...sq=Restaurants
Ayara Thai - two blocks north of the airport. Just another block north from Kanpai.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/ayara-thai-los-angeles-2
The Ramen Joint - across the street from Ayara - same walking directions
https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-ramen-j...sq=Restaurants
In-N-Out - first place north of airport. Take the LAX-It shuttle then walk.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/in-n-out-bu...n-n-out+Burger
All these places are short walk from the LAX-It parking lot so perfectly doable with light carryon luggage. The walk from/to LAX will be good exercise after long haul flight.
I think as long as you are spending money at the hotel, they wouldn't mind you using the shuttle.
Some ideas:
JK Steakhouse at Marriott
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotel...ws-steakhouse/
Icon at Renaissance
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotel...-like-a-local/
Daily Grill at Westin
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotel...irport/dining/
None of them really that special. If you are willing to venture out of the airport, I suggest the following:
Kanpai Japanese - one block north of airport. You can take the LAX-It shuttle to the Taxi/Uber lot and walk from there.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/kanpai-japa...sq=Restaurants
Ayara Thai - two blocks north of the airport. Just another block north from Kanpai.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/ayara-thai-los-angeles-2
The Ramen Joint - across the street from Ayara - same walking directions
https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-ramen-j...sq=Restaurants
In-N-Out - first place north of airport. Take the LAX-It shuttle then walk.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/in-n-out-bu...n-n-out+Burger
All these places are short walk from the LAX-It parking lot so perfectly doable with light carryon luggage. The walk from/to LAX will be good exercise after long haul flight.
Again.... Thank you!
#967
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,647
There are some additional suggestions in this Eater Los Angeles article:I'll add Top Chef Winner Brooke Williamson's Playa Provisions to Eater's list.
#968
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Redondo Beach, Ca
Posts: 30,780
Looking from some suggestions from the FT hive mind.
Have a ~ 17 hour layover in LAX due to some ‘wonderful’ QF flight schedules. Flying SYD-LAX-JFK. Since I loathe red eyes, I’ve ended up with a long layover instead as the QF flight arrives LAX now at 1420.
So I land 1420 on a wednesday, then depart thursday morning 0800 to JFK.
Only travelling with a carry-on roller. Have been to LA a few times before. Tossing between just picking an airport hotel (all look a little bit meh) or considering trekking further, but the 0800 departure from LAX makes me a little cautious to even head into downtown.
Any thoughts or suggestions? IHG Diamond (the IHG options look pretty average at LAX), Hilton & Marriott Gold for what it’s worth
Have a ~ 17 hour layover in LAX due to some ‘wonderful’ QF flight schedules. Flying SYD-LAX-JFK. Since I loathe red eyes, I’ve ended up with a long layover instead as the QF flight arrives LAX now at 1420.
So I land 1420 on a wednesday, then depart thursday morning 0800 to JFK.
Only travelling with a carry-on roller. Have been to LA a few times before. Tossing between just picking an airport hotel (all look a little bit meh) or considering trekking further, but the 0800 departure from LAX makes me a little cautious to even head into downtown.
Any thoughts or suggestions? IHG Diamond (the IHG options look pretty average at LAX), Hilton & Marriott Gold for what it’s worth
Or if you don't want to be far inland maybe take a taxi to downtown Manhattan Beach and go with https://mb.shadehotel.com/ and then you are surrounded by cute shops and restaurants and 2 blocks up from the beach/pier. You can also go a few miles further south and do this with one of the hotels in Hermosa Beach or Redondo Beach. I assume that you are looking for a place to sleep as well as eat and kill time. If you want some ambience along with the basic sleep/eat, I would do downtown MB. If not then I would do the Belmar. Both places are about 20 minutes from LAX...maybe only 15 at that early hour.
#969
Join Date: May 2009
Location: New Zealand
Programs: QF Plat (OWE)/NZ Gold (*G)
Posts: 166
thanks for all the suggestions!
will definitely have a look at culver city options. travelling solo and with mostly carry on so I'm fairly flexible. Also, the main airport hotel block prices aren't exactly the cheapest either!
plus, landing at 230pm, if I'm out by 4pm, it would be nice to stretch legs and see some things and eat something decent that isn't airport hotel food!
will definitely have a look at culver city options. travelling solo and with mostly carry on so I'm fairly flexible. Also, the main airport hotel block prices aren't exactly the cheapest either!
plus, landing at 230pm, if I'm out by 4pm, it would be nice to stretch legs and see some things and eat something decent that isn't airport hotel food!
#971
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: LAX/SMF/PDX/HNL
Programs: Hilton-lifetime diamond, Southwest A+, companion pass
Posts: 1,749
If you are traveling in the winter, the sun will have set by the time you get to the beach and, frankly, there is not much to see in the dark. A restaurant at the beach would not be much better than a restaurant anywhere (unless you fancy the food or the entertainment).
If, however, your travel is in the summer, you will eat during daylight and may even see a beautiful sunset.
Also, there are few actual beach-front dinner restaurants. A reservation will be necessary for most of them.
Note that 5pm - 7pm is a very busy traffic time in LA.
Personally, I would not count on it, especially if 5pm is your arrival time and 7pm is your departure. Just getting from your seat in the plane to LAXit, where you can catch a cab/Uber, will take 30 minutes.
#972
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,407
Depends on which beach you want to go but definitely doable. A lot of dining at so called Beach towns are actually not next to the beach so just keep that in mind. There is also plenty of good dining options just outside the airport in Westchester (north) or El Segundo (south) so you don't need to go far if the goal is to have a decent meal.
#973
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Redondo Beach, Ca
Posts: 30,780
When you say 5-10...are you saying land at 5pm or you will be out of the airport & in a cab at 5pm? The same with the return...do you need to just be pulling up to lax at 10pm or actually at your gate at 10pm?
There really are very few decent places to eat in the area surrounding lax (at the lax hotels) so if you want nice to eat, then head to ES or MB. There is also 2 places that I love in Playa del Rey that which is actually closer to LAX than the other spots.
Very casual dining (but good!) would be Playa Provisions (I think it has already been mentioned) https://www.playaprovisions.com/
Fancier and really good Italian is right across the street from Provisions. Caffe Pinguini https://caffepinguini.com/
#974
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 85
There are some additional suggestions in this Eater Los Angeles article:I'll add Top Chef Winner Brooke Williamson's Playa Provisions to Eater's list.
#975
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 14
What to do on a layover at LAX?
Hi all. We are doing SYD-LAX-MIA with QF & AA next month. We land on the re-timed QF11 at 1320 and then don't depart until 2235 on AA24. We are down the back in the QF bus and both are separate tickets too (so expecting a luggage re-check either in TBIT or T4 Flagship entry). No Global Entry.
I am P1/OWE and MrsChooms is WP/OWE with QF and we know we will have access to QF F and AA Flagship lounges (even AS if we wanted to go for a walk). Three year old Master Chooms is also coming on this visit. Given this, we were thinking of grabbing an Uber Black and heading up to Santa Monica pier for a bit to stretch legs and get some fresh air between flights. Other option is In n Out.
Or do we not risk evening rush traffic and stay at the airport? Of course also depends on how late QF11 is...
Should we get out of the airport or hang around? I suspect we could kill and hour or so with showers and a meal post-QF11... any advice appreciated!
I am P1/OWE and MrsChooms is WP/OWE with QF and we know we will have access to QF F and AA Flagship lounges (even AS if we wanted to go for a walk). Three year old Master Chooms is also coming on this visit. Given this, we were thinking of grabbing an Uber Black and heading up to Santa Monica pier for a bit to stretch legs and get some fresh air between flights. Other option is In n Out.
Or do we not risk evening rush traffic and stay at the airport? Of course also depends on how late QF11 is...
Should we get out of the airport or hang around? I suspect we could kill and hour or so with showers and a meal post-QF11... any advice appreciated!