That would be my first choice too for those reasons but I have found that people traveling from the U.K. do not bat an eye at paying for drinks, breakfast, etc. because of the exchange rate visting the U.S. is like visiting a 3rd world country.

I had the same question. Looking for a hotel for 2 adults and 3 kids, ages 17, 13, and 11. A two bedroom suite such as the embassy would probably be nice but I want to make sure that we are definitely close to most of the action. We have never been to LA or even to California but want to go in June or July. I want to find a really nice hotel and some place that includes breakfast and a nice pool would be great! We are renting a car so being close to the airport is not as important as being close to the tourist areas and fun things. Any information would be great!

You may find this thread helpful:
http://web3.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=506445

Which ES? The south one (on Imperial Hwy) is newer and much nicer than the north one.

Probably the subject of another thread, since in L.A. airport hotel does not equal "close to most (or any) of the action." Think Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Pasadena, downtown, Universal City, Anaheim, Santa Monica... really depends on what action you are looking for. L.A. is big and its all spread out, but the airport will probably not be very satisfying for you. obscure2k's thread is good but is dealing mostly with luxury hotels. If that is not what you are looking for I would start a new thread and list your interests.

...And now back to our regularly scheduled program...

Well said, and keep in mind also...LA probably has the worst public transit for a large city (embarrassingly so). Expect to use taxi and/or rent a car.

I agree - ES LAX South is way nicer than ES LAX North. IMHO it's nicer than any of the hotels on Century I've stayed at, and often cheaper.

FWIW, IC LA is available on PC points for 5k/night right now - an almost unbelieveable bargain. Well worth considering if you decide to look further away from the airport.

Well, ES south looks promising, then, given opinions here.

Can someone confirm it still offers the shuttle out to Manhattan Beach or elsewhere? I'm keen on ghetting out and about in the limited free time I have, rather than sitting around in my room!

Thx!

Thank you, I spent countless sleepless nights composing it...:D

Need help chosing a hotel
 

Alright boys and girls here is the deal. I am going to be in LA for a day (not over night) in between flights (red eye to ord) and I think it would be a good idea to get a hotel for the day to nap, relax by a pool (maybe) and just freshen up before the red eye. I wont have a car when in LA but need something that is easy access to Metro to get to Ameba records over on Sunset Blvd. and maybe jet over to Melrose for a hot dog at Pinks. I would like to try to keep the hotel under $100 bucks but if it is a little over I can deal. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Oh right now I have Best Western Airpark Hotel on hold but was also considering Hollywood Vermont/Sunset Travelodge also. I wont be checking in till June 28th so plenty of time to shop around and what not.

Sounds like some fun things to do. Unfortunately, getting from the airport to Hollywood is not easily done via our limited Metro. Literally, to get over there you would need to take a shuttle from LAX to the Green Line station, then the Green line all the way across L.A. to Union Station downtown, and then the Red Line up into Hollywood. If you take the flyaway to Union Station you could shave some time off that. All told you are looking at 1:30 - 2:00 hours of travel time and a bunch of walking once in Hollywood. Here is a sample routing from MTA. I think they are being generous in saying that it would only take you 1:15 to get to Vermont/Sunset. That of course requires hitting your connection downtown just right.

Not to mention that "jetting" over to Pinks requires a car, the bus, a taxi or teleportation, since the metro doesn't go very near Melrose. The Nearest station is Hollywood and Highland. The walk down to Pink's wouldn't be too bad at about 1.6 miles and all slightly downhill. Of course, that means when you go back to Hollywood and Highland you would be walking all slightly uphill. You could walk it, of course, but your schedule is so tight. Really reconsider renting a car for your limited time.

Another thing to consider is that Hollywood, other than the immediate vicinity of Hollywood and Highland and the areas near the Hollywood sign, is not a great neighborhood. You might want to consider an alternate strategy of Pricelining an airport hotel and taking a cab or bus even to Santa Monica, Venice or Manhattan Beach for the day. This would be much easier to accomplish and probably more enjoyable.

Sorry, kef0913, but I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with this. Your route on the Metro is all wrong. Strictly speaking, to get to Hollywood from LAX on the Metro would require taking the shuttle to the green line, the green line to the blue line to the red line. Of course, that's all moot, as the FlyAway bus to Union station has made this routing obsolete. ^

I'd take the FlyAway to Union Station; I'm a huge fan of this service. It really does take only 30 minutes to downtown from LAX once the bus has left Terminal 7. I'm always amazed at how spot on that time is. From Union Station the red line train to Hollywood should take only 20 minutes, but you might have to wait that long for a train (at the most).

But, fly4funsea, I do more or less agree on this. Where you want to go is much closer to the Hollywood/Highland and Hollywood/Vine stations, particularly Amoeba (which I think is worth the trip, personally). This might all be much more feasible if you were to stay in the vicinity of one of those stations. And, getting down to Pink's will be something of a schlep without a car. But, you should be able to get there on the Metro's 212 or 312 from either the Hollywood/Highland or the Hollywood/Vine stations. Just expect that it'll take slightly longer having to wait for the bus and all. Check out Metro's website. Clearly, public transportation is slower than not having your own car. But, if you're willing to put up with that and the advance planning that is required, it is doable.

This is, unfortunately, true. It's not horrible, but I wouldn't exactly classify it as safe. But, you will be there during the daytime, is that right, fly4funsea? I wouldn't worry too much about the area during the day. The hotel might be a little sketchy, though. ;)

Just make sure this will all work with your time frame. I'd hate to have you spend all your time on buses and trains when you could be enjoying southern California! If you think it will be tight, you just might want to consider going to Santa Monica, Venice or Manhattan Beach for the day, as kef0913 suggested.

I am surprised no one is questioning the OP's desire to go to Pink's. I drive by that place and there is a HUGE line at like 1 am. I am so glad I ate there once a long time ago so I never have to go back again. Personally I consider it a big waste of valuable time. If you live nearby maybe it is worth the wait if you have nothing better to do.

Let me be the first to say if you plan to go out around Hollywood, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, etc...get a car. For less than one day a compact will cost $20 TOPS with taxes included if it is a weekend.

1. Skip Pink's. Not bad, not especially good. Now, Jodi Maroni's .... (6081 Center Dr, Suite 218
Los Angeles, CA 90045, Phone - 310-348-0007
Fax - 310-348-0831--this location is not too far from LAX and Venice, 2011 Ocean Front Walk
Venice, CA 90291, Phone - 310-822-5639.
Hours - 10 a.m. til Sunset, 7 Days a week). Or, for a really good dog, much better than Pink's visit any hot dog place under the El tracks in Chicago.

2. Rent a car. L.A. mass transit is usable, but not good for tourists with a short time to visit. By the way, you can park for up to 4 hours under the Hollywood Blvd-Highland Center for $2. Be sure to hit the new Japanese cream puff place in the Center. Beard Papa, Hollywood & Highland Shopping Center, 6801 Hollywood Blvd.No.1.5.-153, Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 462-6100