Seanmtl

Hi everyone,

New to this forum, thanks for taking the time to read my post.

My wife and I are headed to LA next month for 4 days for the first time. I received a recommendation from a friend to stay in West Hollywood at the London hotel. I was told it was a great hotel and very nice area.

We are more into cool restaurants, bars, shops than so much the tourist scene, but another friend just told me it's much better to stay in Santa Monica.

Anyway....I know LA is a huge city to cover, but overall would you suggest Santa Monica over West Hollywood? Any major pros or cons?

Thanks a lot

Christina

no, I wouldn't and I used to live there (in Santa Monica). W Hollywood is more central for seeing a lot of things, visiting Pasadena or downtown, Griffith Park, etc, but the bottom line is that it depends what you want to do as to which location is more convenient. Of course there is the beach at Santa Monica, I suppose that's the major pro and it is closer to LAX, but you don't say how you are arriving/departing. Santa Monica is generally cooler, of course, being by the ocean, and air may be cleaner. I would think W Hollywood might be less touristy, actually, as tourists have invaded Santa Monica and ruined it, which is why I left. I used to be in W Hollywood a lot as I worked near there and my boyfriend lived there, if you aren't fixated on the beach, it would be fine for you.

Prices don't seem to be an issue with you, as the London is extremely expensive, so are hotels in Santa Monica. I think you can get some cheaper hotels in W Hollywood than Santa Monica, but not that one. I referred a friend to the Elan Hotel in that area, for example, and she enjoyed her stay there (that hotel is really not W Hollywood but close). That hotel is very reasonably priced.

Did you ask your friend why they said Santa Monica was better? Had this friend been to West Hollywood?

Seanmtl

Hi Christina,

Thanks so much for your reply.

I'll be flying direct to LAX from Canada.

My friend told me SM is more "walk" friendly and a nicer vibe. He also said W. Hollywood was further out but still nice.

If I stay at the London, what is around there? Are there nice bars and Restos and stuff like that or everything is driving distance?

Thanks again

jamie99

My personal inclination would be Santa Monica only because September is one of our warmest months and I would prefer the ocean breezes, but the London does look beautiful.

Seanmtl

Thanks Jamie, and supposedly they have a nice roof top pool. It's a tough one I think but still have some time to decide

DebbieDoesDulles

September always brings a major heat wave or two, and it's already been a hot summer.

You'll be happiest in Santa Monica, especially since you're not much interested in the Hollywood tourist scene. Visit Hollywood and West Hollywood for a couple of hours each, or get a 24 hr ticket on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus which will pick you up right in Santa Monica and drop you off/pick you up anywhere along the route.

marnie1

My husband go to West Hollywood ever couple of years and The London is the only place we will stay. We love it! All the rooms are really nice, great bathrooms too. Service is exceptional. I can't speak for dinner there but their contentential breakfast is to die for! There are a lot of other great restaurants, clubs, and bars within walking distance and they have a hotel car that will drive you to a place with a certain radius and pick you up. Check out who is playing at The Viper Room (same parking lot as the hotel) or The Wisky (across the street). Fun small venues.

I can't speak for Santa Monica.

CaliforniaLady

I'm an LA native, born and raised. To me, the whole city is overcrowded, with roads built in the 1920's. Driving in the city is a nightmare, except maybe early Sunday morning. Your goal would be to stay somewhere where you don't have to drive around, and that you can walk to dinner and shops, and perhaps Uber to some sights.

I personally would not stay in We Ho (West Hollywood). The crime there is pretty high, and I don't think it's that interesting. Santa Monica has some closed off streets, so it's probably better for walking around, if I had to choose between the two.

I would recommend the Beverly Hills Marriott, which has been recently redesigned. It' not your parent's Marriott, but rather, it's a bit "hip". We spent the evening of the Academy Awards in the bar there, and it was quite nice and cozy. From there, you can walk to all sorts of restaurants and shops in Beverly Hills, or you can go to the Pico Roberston area, where there are some wonderful Israeli and Persian restaurants.

maitaitom

The Arts District in L.A. has the hottest restaurants going these days. I've done some reviews (with photos)

We love...

Factory Kitchen
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/factory-kitchen-los-angeles-ca/

Officine Brera
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/22424-2/

Manuela (great Saturday/Sunday brunch, too)
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/toms-dining/

Also in downtown...

Redbird
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/redbird-los-angeles-ca/

Maccheroni Republic (across from Grand Central Market...cool spot to check out) Maybe the freshest pasta I have hd anywhere (including Italy)
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/maccheroni-republic-los-angeles-ca/

In Koreatown, classic Mexican restaurant (Gueleguetza) with incredible Mole

Guelaguetza
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/22459-2/

In Silver Lake...

Alimento
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/alimento-silver-lake-ca/

If in Pasadena, try Union
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/union-pasadena-ca/