LA hotel recommendations

Andaz West Hollywood. I haven't been to that Andaz but I've been other ones and they're lovely hotels.

Thanks r1 will check it out

Mondrian.

Terrible reviews of Mondrian.

What is your price range.

My last trip I stayed at Palihouse West Hollywood. This was a boutique hotel with a VERY good location on the West Side (down the street from the Beverly Center). Five minute Uber to the Grove or Santa Monica boulevard strip. If you are going to be seeing the sights, I would stick to the West Hollywood area because that is the most central location to most LA attractions.

The prior trip I spent a lot more money to stay at the Pendry West Hollywood. This is on Sunset Strip and it’s a bit removed from busy West Hollywood and you can’t really go out the door and walk anywhere, but it’s a gorgeous hotel with a beautiful rooftop pool.

Pendry

Also R3 is evil.

Palihouse also has a Santa Monica hotel

If you stay in Santa Monica, you may find yourself sticking to attractions west of the 405.

The Sunset Marquis, West Hollywood

The Biltmore in DTLA

Thanks r5 I was looking at the Pendry. My budget is up to $500 a night but I’d love a deal. If I stay in two hotels on my trip I’d like one of them to be near places I can walk out and explore as I don’t drive.

R10 is also evil.

Le Parc Hotel in West Hollywood is nice and in a quiet residential area

The other hotel I stayed in on my last trip was the Hollywood Roosevelt. This is in a very tourist-trappy area but the hotel is probably the most quintessential Los Angeles hotel aside from the Beverly Hills. The pool area is wonderful, I spent a whole day there.

Despite its pricetag it its a little rough around the edges, but the seedy glamour is part of the appeal.

I usually do the Andaz for location and that I'm Hyatt loyal.

Older building, former Hyatt aka Riot on Sunset. Known for it's rock and roll days. Last time I stayed in the Tutti Frutti suite, where Little Richard lived for many years.

Anyway, location great, rooftop pool nice with great view of the hills. Room decor is just okay.

Some really good recommendations- thank you 💜

Yeah I know to avoid the Biltmore 🤣

SLS on La Cienega

This is what I hate about someone like R10

They KNEW if they linked to an actual hotel page with reviews of the Biltmore, that you would see the reviews

So they chose the Wikipedia page

Evil little bugger

Considering your post and emoji, OP, this place is where you belong!

The Cecil. Just don't drink the water.

Bumping for more recommendations

Is Chateau Marmont really worth trying, or is it just a tattered place of legend?

It’s very pricey and I think probably tatty.

It could have been easier to say "I don't know", r23.

The reviews indicate the decline r24 if you’ve nothing to add fuck the fuck off

Hey, are you alright, r25. It seems like you're feeling really worked up.

If you don't drive, how are you planning on getting around Los Angeles?

I would recommend Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood, especially if you’re interested in art deco architecture and/or old Hollywood history. It’s a lovely building and we had a great time during our two stays there.

Thanks r28 - I love this building so will check out prices.

I liked this place…

Chamberlain is a gem of a hotel located on a quiet side street in WeHo. Big rooms and well priced.

I also love Sunset Marquis and The 1. I used to love Sunset Tower but rooms are hit or miss.

The Peninsula in BH is to die.

I stayed at The Palihouse when it was The Orlando. It was fine, but you will hear ambulances going to Cedars in the middle of the night. The pool is the size of a large bathtub, don't let the phots fool you.

Thanks r30, will check it out.

R31 Peninsula for a few nights is the dream if I can get a deal! Good to know re Sunset Tower and appreciate the other suggestions.

Thanks r32 that is helpful!

The Sunset Tower is a very old building probably in need of a major gut Reno. The rooms are not considered to be on par with the extreme price point because of their age.

OP anything here within your max price point should be fine. Go to Expedia and read every review.

Thanks r34 I’m working my way through reviews etc. I usually find good experience sharing on DL that helps me narrow choices.

Intercontinental Los Angeles. You have access to the LA Metro and many buses from there.

Which one has handsome strangers loitering around the bar?

The Oceana was nice, we went for New Years a few years ago. We wake early and I loved that they had huge urns of piping hot coffee in the lobby at the ready.

A Hilton?! No.

Anyone stayed at the Marmont? That's where I'd like to stay if I had to go to LA.

Why there? There dozens of better hotels. This ain’t the 70s.

History, dear.

If it’s history you want stay at the Biltmore🥱

Why? Am I normtvallowed to stay where I want? I was asking if anyone had stayed there.

You seem cranky.

I have a spare room at my place on Norton.

How big is your dick?

***not allowed...fuck, I hate typing on a phone.

No you’re not normtv! Go away.

I'm curious about the Figueroa downtown. It's in the Hyatt family and seems reasonable.

Don’t be.

Avoid any downtown LA location like the Figueroa. Theres a big homeless / crime problem in downtown LA. People only stay there if they absolutely have to (like to be close to the convention center for a work trip).

That’s not why— don’t be a jerk. Downtown is museum and music friendly, and is a foodie capital. Not to mention the incredible variety of fine architecture and the historic use of neon signs. There’s lots to do, and it is a central transit point for much more. Just don’t pick a less than ideal hotel like the Figueroa.

And don’t poo poo the Biltmore…it’s a fine old grand dame. Any movie history buff would appreciate that more indoor movie and tv scenes have been shot there than anywhere else in LA.

R51 Then they can visit it, they don't have to stay there.

The Garland

^Free shuttle to the Metro

I stayed at the Bonaventure a few months back and liked it.

^Yeah, but watch out for flying salesmen.

Do you remember the street scenes from the 1982 film Blade Runner?

This is downtown Los Angeles. And I am one of its defenders.

The only reason to stay in downtown as a tourist is if your itinerary will revolve around seeing attractions close to that area. Most Los Angeles attractions are mid city to the west side.

On my trip to LA in April, I parked at the Music Center, went to the Broad for an hour, took the Angel Flight down to Grand Central Market (around 7PM so I was the only person there), got a strawberry donut from Donut Man, walked back to Angels Flight, took it up (again only person there) and went back to my car.

I was probably there for about three hours.

That is the most time anyone needs to spend in downtown Los Angeles. Unless you can get a whopper deal at the Intercontinental or Conrad (and I have seen them) it’s not worth it.

The Charlie is located perfectly in WeHo, you can walk to stores on Melrose or Santa Monica, and is efficiently run. Very much more of a European type experience; quiet, unpretentious, very clean.

Another favorite is the Georgian in Santa Monica -- high end but another professional and lovely place. Pricey but you can get an ocean view.

Melrose Ave itself is a commercial dead zone. Further north is the new hot zone.

Any further thoughts on hotels? Thanks for the good suggestions DL - will make booking in next day or two.

I’ve got a list of things I want to do - any suggestions for venues/events I should check out?

Busch Gardens

Japanese Village and Deer Park

The Pike

Third Street Promenade

Hawthorne Plaza

Oh for fucks sake just book something already. It’s really not that important. No one is going to give you a magic hotel recommendation. Los Angeles isn’t worth overthinking. It’s not Las Vegas where your whole trip revolves around where you stay.

And yet where you stay could be important depending on what you want to do. For instance the Proper Hotels in Santa Monica and DTLA are 15 miles and 20-40+ minutes drive apart depending on time of day.

[quote] No one is going to give you a magic hotel recommendation.

Actually not true, have you considered the Magic Castle Hotel in Hollywood.

[quote] It’s not Las Vegas where your whole trip revolves around where you stay.

I've never thought of Las Vegas that way. I would actually put more thought into the LA hotel than a Las Vegas hotel.

OP, Getty Museum? I went to LA several times and finally made it to the Getty Museum. IMO, it was worth going there.

R62 it is to me. DL is usually great for insider knowledge and the majority of these responses have been great.

There’s no need to be so aggressive I’m not harming you in any way.

The Cecil Hotel.

Only don't drink the water.

Consider Beverly Hills.

STAY AWAY from DTLA. Avoid the area.

Stay away from R69. You heard it here.

I wouldn't want to go walking around DTLA at night, but I like Japan Town and I like the courthouse area / library / Disney area.

Am going there in August and don't want to stay anywhere in downtown. WeHo would be nice but parking is limited and it's just SO dense.

We'll probably be staying somewhere toward Santa Monica or perhaps in the sort of Pasadena direction. OK with driving a bit. Doing the Getty and maybe a trip into Hollywood for Amoeba.

If you're coming to LA in September, it's one of our hottest months. Aug-October are the worst. You're better off at the beach. You will need a car.

Santa Monica- Hotel Casa del Mar. Right on the beach/bike path, near the Santa Monica pier. 5 stars.

Hermosa Beach (South Bay) - The Beach House hotel. Also right on the beach/bike path. Not "as" touristy as Santa Monica.

Palos Verdes- Terranea Resort. It's gorgeous. If you don't stay, at least come here for the views and drinks or a meal.

Anywhere you go is going to have a $50 overnight parking charge. I even had one on a hotel near LAX.

^ I’ve heard worse recommendations

Thanks r73 Casa del Mar was one of my original choices - rates have gone up quite a bit but I will check other sites.

[quote] I usually do the Andaz for location and that I'm Hyatt loyal. Older building, former Hyatt aka Riot on Sunset. Known for it's rock and roll days. Last time I stayed in the Tutti Frutti suite, where Little Richard lived for many years. Anyway, location great, rooftop pool nice with great view of the hills. Room decor is just okay.

Also a primo location for finding hot bottoms.

[quote] I have a spare room at my place on Norton. How big is your dick?

Colossal

If you're into ghosts or ghost hunting, try these haunted hotels.

There should, in fact, be a SizeBNB site where one offers accommodations based on a gentleman's appearance and, of course, his sizemeat.

Anything closer to Carson or Torrance?

Carson is a stank ghetto

Thanks for all the useful replies - really helpful.

R81 there aren't any high end or 5-star hotels in Torrance. I live in the Harbor area. There is the Torrance Marriott, and the Torrance Doubletree, both are serviceable and very close to the Del Amo Fashion Center. But, other than the mall and going down Torrance Blvd., to the beach cities, not that much to do here. There's an interesting Miyako Hybrid Hotel on Western Ave., but that's in a worse area geographically and unless you want to hang out in Old Torrance, not that close to much, except the freeway.

I think the request for Torrance recommendations was a joke. That said, I have family members who lived in the South Bay and there are a lot of good places to eat there. E.g., the Korean restaurants in Gardena. Torrance has good sushi bars in random little shopping areas.

R85 yep, there's plenty of good Asian food around, and we have a lot of Mexican/Salvadorian food too and food trucks near the harbor. But as far as nightlife / cultural activities, not that much. You do have to go to the beach cities or downtown or Hollywood.

The Chateau Marmont.... of course!

I've never had a bad experience while staying at the Chateau Marmont. Except with Matt Perry at the bar one night, what an asshole!!

Phillywhore, I really want to hear all of your stories!

I’m sorry we’re all booked up. There isn’t a vacancy in the entire city.

Whoreshit— don’t believe everything on this thread

For $75 you can sleep in the lobby and I won’t have you arrested for loitering.

Shutters in Santa Monica or the Four Seasons Beverly Hills

Itchy’s

To R88, don't worry about that, it's not sex with Matthew Perry, least talented of the group. Short version of the story, I embarrassed him in the Marmont bar because he was drunk& guessing his rehab didn't work out too well. I am really good at pissing people off when they've been drinking, know how to push buttons. Matthew tripped over his own feet& fell to the floor like a drunken idiot.

He was a drunken asshole-Phillywhore

Matthew Perry was a troubled man who brought hundreds of millions of people 30 minutes of happiness

What have you done?

I've saved countless Heterosexual marriages all over the USA from ending in divorce by using common sense& my oral skills.

Did Miss Perry break a nail in middle school& did his parents divorce sent him into his Final K-hole. The writers on Friends made him funny!!!

What a "Needy, Pathetic, drunken, drugged out Asshole" Miss Perry was!!

The Chateau is still very nice. And private. Especially in the bungalows. Four season BH The Beverly Hills hotel shutters on the beach Sunset Marquis.

I’m afraid that will be an exercise in futility. There isn’t a vacant room in the city.

I ran into Andy Dick at the Chateau. And a tiny bottle of coke was 6.00.

I'm not OP but I need a recommendation!

Will have to be in LA for 2 nights next month. A few hours of one day will be in a boring office building on Wilshire just south of West Hollywood and Hollywood (on the map, near something called Carthay Square).

Any suggestions for a safe place to stay (and park a car)? I'm feeling like I should look farther north, but am not sure. Don't know much about LA. One friend insists we should stay in Santa Monica (seems far away) and our neighbor keeps saying Monterey Park but there's a huge clusterfuck of highways in between there and where I have to go, and that seems like a bad idea to me.

Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

AC Hotel Beverly Hills and Kimpton Hotel Wilshire are on the edge of Carthay Circle. SLS Beverly Hills and Palihouse West Hollywood are a little farther but within reasonable distance. Pay the $50 for overnight parking or risk getting your catalytic converter stolen.

You are welcome.

Thank you R101/R102

OP The Viceroy in Santa Monica is near the beach and Santa Monica Pier. Stayed there 6 years ago in September and loved it. Many restaurants are within a short walking distance. Very convenient. I'd also recommend The Huntley in Santa Monica.

Not understanding the hate for the Biltmore.

The bar is architecturally magnificent and its patrons a 1940s-1980s film noir come to life.

Best sidecar I ever ordered.

I’d heard bad things about the Biltmore but the bar sounds like a real find r105

R104 thanks! the Viceroy looks good for part of my stay.

[quote] A Hilton?! No.

Conrad DTLA is very nice and right across the street from the Music Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Broad Museum.

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is swish, expensive and your best bet for celeb sightings.

Both are Hilton.

R106, I can't speak to the rooms and the place is quite obviously in need of a savvy investor to bring it back to its glory days.

But for decadent atmosphere and architectural glamour, I can think of few rivals (the Chateau Marmont and Beverly Hills excepted).

Schultz & Weaver were the architects.

Probably not for you this trip, but The Culver Hotel should definitely be on your list for a future trip. I've been there and it's completely stunning and luxurious. An indulgence and worth every moment!

Carthay Circle Theatre (the 1500 seat auditorium was shaped like a circle/cylinder).

R110 thanks - that looks lovely. I’d never have found that. It might be good for arrival or departure night as near LAX I think.

I think there's some room for your tent on Skid Row. Very popular location, over 4K homeless.

[quote]Actually not true, have you considered the Magic Castle Hotel in Hollywood.

I stayed there a few years ago. Not at all fancy (more like staying in someone's VRBO apartment, really), but the staff are extremely nice and it gives one access to tickets to the Magic Castle itself. That was one of the highlights of my vacation. There's also a more secluded sister property just north of it, the Hollywood Hills Hotel, which has a beautiful pool area, better views, and the Japanese restaurant from Kill Bill and Teahouse of the August Moon on site.

Since no one's mentioned hotels you should *not* stay at, aside from ones in DTLA: the Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air are still owned by the Dorchester Group, owned by the Sultan of Brunei (one of the world's worst homophobes - Brunei has the death penalty for gays).

It's kinda remarkable how many hotels here are located within a half-mile of each other. The Strip starting at its intersection with La Cienega is an embarrassment of riches: the Sunset Tower has somehow remained a consistent draw despite having subpar rooms, but it's walking distance to the Andaz, Mondrian, 1 Hotel West Hollywood, Sunset Marquis, and one of the newer Soho House properties. It's only a few blocks further to the Chateau. All that said, Strip hotels draw too many looky-loo tourists, and the Strip on whole is obnoxious AF on weekends.

To mention a top hotel no one else has referenced yet: the Fairmont Century Plaza. They completed what I'm guessing is the priciest hotel renovation in California history. The Century Plaza is a mid-century icon, and they spent five years and $2.5 billion refurbishing it before reopening it in 2021, now as a Fairmont (after having been a Hyatt and Westin at various points). It's both stunning, and also one of the relatively few L.A. hotels that still have balconies: despite its perfect weather, you wouldn't want a balcony anywhere like the Strip or downtown solely due to noise, but the hotel itself is an oasis of calm even on weekdays. On the down side, Century City in general is all business and, as such, dead on weekends. The hotel is across the street from CAA's headquarters and next door to one of West L.A.'s largest shopping malls. Still, it's just south of Wilshire, which crosses most of the city, and is a good halfway point if you're wanting to see both West L.A. (e.g. Santa Monica & the Getty) along with areas closer to downtown.

Since I think the OP is wanting some insider-y tips, here are two of mine:

Cara Hotel: a small but charming property that's in Los Feliz and also only a few blocks to the 101. Somewhat unusually for L.A., it's practically next door to a Metro stop, and while the L.A. Metro is ridiculously scant compared to the likes of the NYC subway or getting around any given European capital, it's still better than driving in rush hour traffic. (No, it's not luxurious, but it's great for traffic-hater types like myself.) It's also near the Kimpton Everly, which is arguably the best bargain among upscale hotels: it's luxury at half the price of the Four Seasons or Peninsula. (Both of which are INCREDIBLE, to be clear, but also incredibly expensive. Same for the Beverly Wilshire.)

Plaza La Reina: one of the newest, and best, new-build properties in town not priced in the stratosphere. Extremely large rooms for this day & age (around 600 sq ft), and located directly in the middle of Westwood Village, which affords lots of eye candy in the form of UCLA studs.

Are you nuts OP? The Mission Inn in Riverside

I would avoid DTLA. DTLA is okay in the daytime, but I don't like it at night.

Scared-y cat! ^

R116 are you on crack? That's 90 minutes or more in traffic from DTLA.

Lowes Santa Monica. Love it. Sunset Marquis for BH/Melrose/WeHo

The Culver Hotel I almost stayed at on my last trip out because I had an early morning flight to LAX, I ended up staying at the Hotel June which was closer. But I was curious about it.

[quote]Not understanding the hate for the Biltmore. The bar is architecturally magnificent and its patrons a 1940s-1980s film noir come to life.

It has subpar quality rooms and is in a bad part of town.

Those who want to experience its grandeur can simply walk through it in fifteen minutes or have tea there.

Every place in downtown Los Angeles is like a film noir come to life.

And increasingly, that film noir is Blade Runner.

Did the bitch who started this thread ever reveal where he booked his hotel?

How was the Hotel June, R121? It's intriguing since it's part of the Proper Hotel portfolio.

It's fine, it's a good place to sleep before you fly out to LAX. No other reason to stay there. Quiet and comfortable. Close to the mall at Playa Vista too.

$50 parking tho.

I wonder if Los Angeles is the only American city where people regularly book a different hotel on their last night so they can get to the airport in the morning.

The Mission Inn looks amazing and almost a reason to visit Riverside.. 1hr+ away from LA!

The Mission Inn is very nice, but unless you actually are visiting Riverside, it's not a place you'd want to stay to go to LA, because it's a 2 hour drive on a good day to/from LA.

I prefer the San Berdoo Days Inn. 🤷🏻‍♂️

But you can't understand LA if you don't see Pasadena!

I don't care much for Pasadena.

[quote]Lowes Santa Monica. Love it.

Oh, dear.

Jesus Christ r131 no one gives a shit

Are you autistic or something?

[quote]I wonder if Los Angeles is the only American city where people regularly book a different hotel on their last night so they can get to the airport in the morning.

I don't know about others, but I nearly always get a room near the airport if I have a flight departing before 8am, and there's no realistic way I could make it all the way to the airport in under a half-hour after factoring in traffic). If I'm flying out of JFK, I stay at the TWA Hotel, and at SFO I stay at the on-site Grand Hyatt.

Or maybe I'm just weird, or perhaps triggered by having missed an early-morning flight at Heathrow years ago: I slept entirely through my alarm and had to spend an insane amount of money to get back home.

R5 Just hopped on the thread to suggest Palihouse in Santa Monica. I love their vibe. No bar though, you have walk a couple blocks over to the Fairmont Miramar for a decent cocktail. Palihouse rooms and suites are very well appointed and stylish -- like, beyond. And it's a quite residential area. I just love it.

For Beverly Hills, it's the Avalon (mid-century Kelly Wearstler interiors, kidney pool in courtyard, great restaurant, surprisingly affordable.

For Hollywood my preference is L'Ermitage. Rooftop bar is wonderful and it's a very quirky yet romantic, dreamy vibe.

For Venice Beach it get's no better then The Erwin right on the beach. Also just a quick Uber ride to and from LAX. You don't get that same ease elsewhere.

In the Valley you have The Sportsman's Lodge, which is as ICONIC as it is affordable.

[quote] I wonder if Los Angeles is the only American city where people regularly book a different hotel on their last night so they can get to the airport in the morning.

No, I don't think so.

I had a morning flight out of SFO. Drove there from Marin County AND had to return a rental car, which, at the time, was a whole different freeway exit from SFO. I'm not the greatest with directions, I was by myself, and I had pharyngitis, which makes you sound like a crazy person. I ended up asking for directions with my crazy voice. The guy I asked was still nice and told me where to go.

I did make my flight, but stuff like that makes me think that getting a room near the airport is a not bad idea.

[quote]Drove there from Marin County AND had to return a rental car, which, at the time, was a whole different freeway exit from SFO.

It's still a separate exit: the SFO rental car center is a bit north of the airport, adjacent to San Bruno. (One of the odder parts of LAX is its lack of a central rental car depot, but SFO has had one for close to 20 years now.)

OK, thanks R136, I thought it might be changed, at this point. That was a hellish morning, trying to make that flight. My fault for not leaving earlier.

LAX’s new CRF is almost complete.

I would rather wait for the little shuttle buses on the ground level than to schlep all the way to the peoplemover to get to the ConRAC. That is going to be a nightmare.

The people mover will be easier than the shuttle buses I'd bet.

^^^^Definitely. Especially if you're in Terminal 5 and up. Right now if youre waiting for a rental bus to pick you up you it may be a 30 minute wait because they filled up by the time they get to the International terminal and you have to wait for another one.

The facility will Open before the people mover, which is behind schedule…you’ll still have your shuttles.

Is it just me or is there sort of like a black hole of weirdness to the north of LA?

We've stayed in hotels in the Agoura Hills and nearby areas a few times and it just has an unbelievably weird energy there. Coming back from a trip to Carmel and want to stop somewhere in that area for one night but it doesn't seem like there's a lot there.

All of Los Angeles has a weird energy.

Why in hell would you want to stop in Agoura, or elsewhere adjacent to the 101? How lazy, or stupid, are y’all?

R143 The communities to the west of The Valley Where That Slut Brooke Logan Is From - such as Agoura Hills - are relatively newer, upscale bedroom communities. They were developed along the 101 Freeway that connects Los Angeles County and Ventura County, and this route was always something of a rural no man's land. Unless someone has actual business there or is trying to get away from everything and just sit poolside with a book, I don't know why anyone would choose to stay there. There's really not much to do, and the people who live there probably prefer it that way. Perhaps take a hike or find a stable that offers horseback riding? Even the old Troutdale fishing park is closed now! For decades, parents would take their kids there to learn how to fish.

R146 has just bored the shiy out of everyone who actually grew-up in LA.

*shit

There is a quote about Los Angeles that I can’t place - I heard it in KCET’s excellent series Lost LA - but it was something along the lines of, You can’t understand Los Angeles until you come into it from the desert. The transitory communities in the mountains would have a weird energy as the Pacific climate becomes a pure desert one.

R145 Long stretches of travel between Carmel and central CA places and Palm Springs. Something slightly north/NW would be a good stopping point before hitting LA, but there doesn't seem to be anything nice in that area.

Well, one can always join the newlyweds and nearlydeads in Santa Barbara . There are a few things to do around there, and at least the weather is typically pretty nice, and they've got restaurants to try out.

R125 I've done that in San Francisco.

R150 that makes no sense.

R125 the hotels near LAX are sad and depressing. You don't want to stay in Westchester, El Segundo, or on Century. Big ol' nope. There is nothing to do.

It's not that difficult to get to LAX in time, we Angelenos are used to it. Arrive 2 hrs prior to flight for domestic and 3 hrs for international.

You could stay in MB, and be at LAX in 15 minutes.

MB?

R154 Angelenos don't have to return rental cars.

R156. Huh? Yes, MB.

Manhattan Beach.

Oh, a note about the Hollywood Roosevelt. I've stayed there a couple of times, probably too long ago to give much advice on the current upkeep/running of the place, but I enjoyed it. My last stay stay turned me from a skeptic to guardedly agnostic, as that's the only place I've ever had a paranormal experience. (Other supposedly haunted hotels and attractions have offered ghost tours, book events, and entertaining marketing but no experiences that couldn't be explained by drafts and old staircases/floorboards creaking after someone had stepped on them.)

[quote]Unless someone has actual business there or is trying to get away from everything and just sit poolside with a book, I don't know why anyone would choose to stay there.

R146, isn't that part of the Valley one of the few areas reasonably close to L.A. where a fair amount of new-build housing is going up? Also, while I wouldn't stay there, either, there's admittedly a Four Seasons in Westlake Village.

R150, that area's really not far enough from L.A. to qualify as a distinct destination en route up the coast: if you're driving from L.A. to Santa Barbara, you're probably only going to stop for gas en route (and this assumes you don't mind taking the literal scenic route, despite the 5 being considerably quicker.

R160, while I'm admittedly a skeptic about paranormal experiences, I agree that the Roosevelt's gone downhill over the past 10-15 years or so. It seems almost like it peaked during the "Entourage"/"The Hills" era circa 2010, but then quickly faded as newer, better hotels opened along the Strip. (The Standard, meaning the original, closed a few years back as well.) The Sunset Tower compensates for its subpar rooms with one of the most thriving nightlife scenes in L.A. – meaning ones that actually draw celebrities, not just tourists – but the Roosevelt's simply fallen off in that regard.

Agoura Hills is weird, random, quiet. It's like 680 East of San Francisco...Walnut Creek, Danville. Like where the hell are we?

R161 I didn't intend to suggest it as a distinct destination. I've just wanted to stop roughly there as a halfway point and, on a Carmel/Coachella Valley drive, to avoid busier spots within LA (especially during COVID flareups). But I've stayed in two distinctly terrible mid budget hotels there, and that whole area has a weird vibe, to me.

I'm having to do that drive again, plus a few days in LA, in the next few weeks for the first time in a while, and am worried about crowds and safety, especially in the city itself.

I wouldn’t mind staying in a boring hotel in El Segundo the night before an early flight.

We called it Smell Segundo when I was growing up nearby.

We call it Sao Paulo R165

Why would you mention Sao Paulo in reference to El Segundo? You type lame…

because they both stink like your comments R167

The odor in El Segundo is infamous. It's been an issue for decades. It has to do with the Hyperion plant. It's still in the news frequently. This is from a few months ago.

Beverly Hilton

R169 the refinery adds to the sweet smell.

I guess I'll not leave my wallet there.

They don’t like black people much in El Segundo. Notorious ESPD…

A sunset town

Fred Sanford was always talking about El Segundo.

We loved Edition. Great pool and bars.

Thanks to the recommendations here.....made a reservation for this week for the Kimpton on Wilshire. Now I just have to find a decent coffee place, breakfast place and smoothie source nearby.

Miracle Mile traffic hell…just so you know.

r177 was that for me?

The Beverly Wilshire had the most comfortable hotel bed I'd ever slept in (last year). It may be the most comfortable, period.

No Rose, it was for your Uber driver.

What R177 says, because the traffic all along Wilshire Blvd from Western Blvd into Beverly Hills has been hell for quite some time due to the ongoing Purple Line underground subway project. Unless you continually look at construction updates, you never know what you're going to encounter. It's had several delays.

Well, the Kimpton was a few blocks from where we have to be on Thursday so traffic or no traffic, that's where we'll be.

[quote]Now I just have to find a decent coffee place, breakfast place and smoothie source nearby.

Uber to Republique down Wilshire.

Dupar’s

I have never been to the hotel in question but don’t Kimpton hotels have restaurants that serve breakfast?

Yes of course the hotel has a lobby restaurant

Get your ass to Republique

You’re a mile away, most people who visit LA don’t stay this close to it

Now I want high end cupcakes& Danishes.

With really good dark roast coffee.

Sorry, I thought OP R176 wanted breakfast, not a pastry shop.

You can get breakfast at Republique

What are you, from Fresno or something

R189 No, but I'm not a foodie. Why would you want to get breakfast there when you can get it at the hotel?

Because it’s AWESOME.

Even if you just got bacon and eggs?

r13, Le Parc is my voting place and it's a dump. But a lot of musical people stay there. Stay at the Chamberlain!n The one bedroom suite is quite nice.

R193 Knock knock...OP already chose his hotel.

Now we have to tell him where to eat breakfast.

[quote] Sorry, I thought OP [R176] wanted breakfast, not a pastry shop.

Some people like pastries for breakfast.

I like plain breakfasts like oatmeal or fruit. I'd rather chow down on something more decadent later in the day.

[quote] Some people like pastries for breakfast.

You don't say.

Republique wants a reservation to even enter the place.

Honestly Republique isn't THAT amazing.

Op is clearly on a budget, so I’d keep to the Farmer’s Market or Canter’s …in the neighborhood.

Never an earthquake when you need one.

Like for the people bumping an old thread.

Based on the original post, this thread is still timely. What gives? It’s not like Op is staying in Bakersfield—but if he is, Godspeed!!

You can walk to the McDonald's just two doors down from the hotel on the same side of the street. Breakfast 6AM - 11AM.

But the homeless guy might jack off in your face!

We went to the Farmer's Market. Twice!

The banana bread was amazing.

How can you ruin bababa bread?

Thanks for the recommendations, snark and random Republique rants!

Went for Pendry West Hollywood and Palihouse Santa Monica.

Really appreciate the insider knowledge and experiences.

Traffic trouble: worse than the Miracle Mile! ^

So I did book the Kimpton as suggested above.

Pros: Wilshire traffic wasn't that bad. The hotel itself is newly renovated and the staff was very friendly.

Cons: They put us in a room facing Wilshire and.....well, if you can imagine what it would be like to sleep in a bed suspended above four lanes of traffic, you have an idea of the experience.

PS Don't go to the Getty in the summer. Or ever. It was a hideous clusterfuck.

PSS Damn, LA men are hot. And packing. I guess no one wears underwear in LA, thank goodness.

PSSS - the AC was sold out but next time I'm in that area I'll try that.

Op was coming in September. Who are you?

[quote] PS Don't go to the Getty in the summer. Or ever. It was a hideous clusterfuck.

Art major here. I avoided the Getty on several trips to LA. Then finally made it a point to go.

Yeah, it can get hot there. (I usually go to LA in Sept., so it was probably Sept. when I went.)

However - I think it is worth the trip. Just avoid the summer, maybe.

I’m visiting L A as well right now and I can thoroughly recommend Vicky’s All Day on West Adam’s. Very LA but the food is fabulous. The breakfast sandwich will make all fat whores rejoice!

West Adams

You find some dollar budget bed bug abode to hunker down in while you score some smack and hire prostitutes online.

[quote] PS Don't go to the Getty in the summer. Or ever. It was a hideous clusterfuck.

Oh, you’re shallow.

What were you expecting from an art museum?

It’s made of Jerusalem stone, on an exposed hillside. Think Acropolis. Duh —what did you expect in late July / August?

[quote]Oh, a note about the Hollywood Roosevelt. I've stayed there a couple of times, probably too long ago to give much advice on the current upkeep/running of the place, but I enjoyed it. My last stay stay turned me from a skeptic to guardedly agnostic, as that's the only place I've ever had a paranormal experience. (Other supposedly haunted hotels and attractions have offered ghost tours, book events, and entertaining marketing but no experiences that couldn't be explained by drafts and old staircases/floorboards creaking after someone had stepped on them.)

R160, what happened during your stay at the hotel?

The maid knocked on the door, but there was no one there!

R211 I was thinking the same thing. OP wrote:

[quote] Visiting in September and looking at staying in possibly two areas out of these Santa Monica/Venice Beach/WeHo/Beverley Hills.

Apparently it's R100. We've been answering two different people.

Yes, I'm R100, not OP, and more recent discussion was about me. I'm also R176 and several bits of discussion since then were my posts or replies to my post. Most recently I was/am R209.

I don't know what's become of OP. Gurl, you still out there? Did you pick a hotel?

Thanks. It was pretty hard to know if R176 was you or OP, for instance.

you should just stay with my cousin. she loves having company. just make sure you do your share of the daily chores or she flies off the handle and gets violent.

The Tar Pits are everything!

I would pass on The Ambassador.

R223 I apologize, did not mean to confuse anyone.

Room 222was set on Olympic, not Wilshire and not Sunset.

Still confused. Is OP's trip still scheduled for September?

[Quote] Still confused

You should get that on a tshirt

The London in West Hollywood. Beautiful hotel with a rooftop bar.

R221 etc that was me signed post at r207 OP!

Thanks again all.

I have another question - and still not the OP.

I may possibly be attending a concert in September on a Saturday night at the Orpheum. It's apparently in downtown LA - however that may be defined.

Is this a good or bad place to be? Should I be parking at the venue or doing an Uber/Lyft back to the hotel?

The Orpheum is on Broadway which you may know from every movie in which they need a seedy rundown city street scene to be filmed. It is adjacent to Skid Row, which is the greatest congregation of unhoused people in the country.

Recently as you may have heard, people who park their cars in downtown Los Angeles get killed. Assuming you are not staying in downtown Los Angeles, I would park at the garage at the Music Center in Bunker Hill (the safe corporate side of downtown) and take an Uber to or from there. If you need to stay nearby the Prosper and the Hoxton are reputable.

Why not just take an Uber the whole way? Why park in DTLA and then take an Uber back and forth to your car in DTLA?

Because R234 is a high/grade moron, that’s why.

[quote] It is adjacent to Skid Row, which is the greatest congregation of unhoused people in the country.

Hobo hookups!