dayone

The area surrounding the hotel is not Beverly Hills, but as long as I stay on the main streets, I (male) feel safe. I've walked back from the Avis lot at night. YMMV.

twa777

Not a place to take in with a stroll? It's next to the flight path for landings into LAX, and walking distance to THE famous In-N-Out Burger.

Be careful, or they'll take away your FlyerTalk membership card!

mikebor

I don't think it is that close to In-N-Out Burger, at least I wouldn't walk it. It's near a Burger King though.

VickiSoCal

It would be about a mile and not a very scenic walk!

NJUPINTHEAIR

Just wanted you all to know that I was highlighting this poster's comments when I wrote that.

I never felt unsafe while there, although I was not walking around at night to see the "scenic" surroundings that this poster happened upon, but I doubt that it is truly a high crime area with so many hotels and airport service industries in the general area.

djohannw

Any suggestion for a two-night stopover on a MR to LAX? I will get in at about 11:30p on Friday and leave around 5:00a on Sunday, so I look for most convenient place to stay during this trip. Basically my questions are:

- Is there any of the FS-hotels with a lounge that at least has key-access when closed so I can grab some water and soda once I arrive?
- Which hotel will be most convenient to pick up a rental car with Hertz or Avis on Saturday for the day only?
- Any place to avoid in terms of awful bed-quality (sleep obviously will be my paramount interest while staying there after and before 7.5K BIS-miles)?

Which hotels should I look at given the above parameters...both the Renaissance and the Marriott can be easily LNF'd around the $80 mark - and I have the added option to choose the Airport Westin at $99. These are the only hotels I looked at so far - did I overlook something? 7/24 Airport shuttle will be a must given my schedule outlined above...

Thanks for your suggestions!

Greetings - Dirk

lucycan

Vicki - I would be absolutely furious about this!!

NJUPINTHEAIR

There was a recent thread regarding the merits of the Renaissance to which I heartily approve. Don't know about the lounge on weekends, consult lounge guide. Budget car rental is across the street (it is now owned by Avis, so perhaps check out their rates) as for the others, do a google search with the desired car rental companies.

Marriott and Renaissance beds are great and Westin started the trend, so I don
don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

Agree on the rates that can be obtained via BRG and I would choose the Renaissance over the Marriott.

CJKatl

There was no key access to the CL during my recent Ren stay. There is a Hertz location in the FS, which is next door to the Ren, making either an easy pick-up. Both have good beds and enough insulation and other noise blocking to keep you from hearing the airport noise.

SkiAdcock

I prefer the Ren over the FS. Have had good luck with upgrades there. Haven't had issues with plane noise.

Don't know if you have any plans for the Sat, but you could head over to Manhattan Beach either via car or via Ocean Express shuttle. Fun beach town with pier, volleyball, shops, restaurants, bars, etc.

Cheers.

djohannw

Thanks everyone - seems it boils down to the choices I had, going any further away from the airport does not do any good in terms of my objectives. Currently leaning towards the Marriott since the rate I can get there is the lowest (~$75) and the breakfast in the lounge has hot items even on the weekend vs. an upcharge at the Renaissance as reported in the sticky. Upgrades will be low on my list - I will be staying there on my own with any regular room working nicely for me, so the better breakfast for free probably tilts the scale. Unless, of course, it turns out I will need the nights at SPG to keep Platinum there, then it will be the Westin (or the Sheraton, if I can get a decent rate there).

@Sharon: Thanks for the suggestion but my Saturday will be packed working the shopping list my wife and friends will put together until my flight in December - I will drive to Cabazon Outlets and Ontario Mills to get this done. This probably will not leave any time to do other things between this and a nice dinner somewhere...

Greetings - Dirk

beachfan

There are three cat 5 hotels by LAX

Courtyard El Segundo
Residence Inn Ell Segundo
Courtyard Westside.

I just need a decent place to overnight, and would prefer to use my cert. I'll be at the hotel roughly 12 hours. (Two people, me and my wife).

The CY El Segundo is only 1.7 miles away. The Westside is 2.9 miles away (have stayed there, it's nice).

Anyone have personal experience to compare the three?

SkiAdcock

Are the 12 hours overnight when you'll just be sleeping or in the day where you might want to get out & about? Does the Westside provide a shuttle? (I think, but don't know, that the the RI & CY ElS have a shuttle that would save on some $$).

Cheers.

FlyinHawaiian

The CY in El Segundo is perfectly fine; I'd probably pick that just for how close it is to LAX.

beachfan

No, happy to stay in room from 8:30pm to 8:30am. I'm actually local, but in traffic it's 2 hours to the airport. I'm ending a business trip Thursday night (landing at 8pm) and leaving internationally the next morning on vacation (11AM flight), so didn't want the stress and have extra certs.