I will not have any bags and will already be checked in. I am connecting in LAX. But, it is international. I think I will sit tight at the airport. It would be too awful to miss my plane just for a manicure!

Thank you for all the responses.

Ii know some airports have spas but LAX does not.

If you're leaving the terminal for any reason you're still needing to go thru TSA screening again. The lines can be loooooong and traffic can be bad getting back to the airport.
Two hours minimum even with boarding pass no luggage and just coming back from Manhattan Beach.

There are lots of restaurants and bars in the terminals at LAX. You can check the "lawa.org" website and sort by terminal. If you are flying in or out of Tom Bradley, most of the restaurants are before security, Daniel's is a new one getting good reviews on the TBIT arrivals level.

http://lawa.org/tenantLAXResult.aspx...&sindicator=qs

"If you're leaving the terminal for any reason you're still needing to go thru TSA screening again."

More than likely you'll have to change terminals so you'll go through security again anyway. Which terminals do you land/depart from?

Terminal 4. If I remember, there is not much in that terminal. Swatch store, book store and Chili's

On the Border Mexican Grill, Brioche Doree, Chilis, Burger King, two Starbucks. You are allowed to go into TBIT where there are more restaurants outside security.

AAFrequent Flyer. I don't know if there is such a requirement but I DO KNOW that our friend WAS NOT ALLOWED on the plane because he got to the check-in in less than 2 hours before the flight. He did try to persuade them to allow him on the flight but they did not. He was instead put on the flight the following day. So...I assume different airlines can do what they want. I was not saying there was a rule - just that it had happened.

I would love a Butter mani/pedi salon like they have at Sea-Tac but since LAX doesn't so enjoy, try the lounge restaurant Encounter AA Frequent Flier suggested. We also used to go to Ruby's diner and eat from a hand stretched pretzel place nearby but that was many years ago and not sure they are still there.
A couple of California restaurants have LAX satellites - El Cholo, la Brea bakery, Wolfgang Puck (good for salads) and Gladstone's.
I also remember reading somewhere about the ability to buy a pass to a VIP airport lounge but I've never done. Probably expensive.