sharonb

Gardyloo,

Thanks a lot! You have made the decision for me. The Residence Inn BH it is! Now, one more question, (don't hold me to it) but we are going to be going to Disney Land and Knotts Berry Farm but thought that we would visit those 2 places from the Marriott Newport Coast since we are there a week? Do you think that this wise or is it better to do those from the hotel in Beverly Hills instead? We really originally thought that we could just do everything from Newport Coast but another posting a lot of people said not to because of time and traffic, so that is why we are staying in the LA area for a few days first.

emd

Another good thing about airport hotels (and I say this from experience w/the Sheraton and Westin hotels at LAX, which are both nice hotels, and I am staying again at the Sheraton next week) is that not only are the rates much lower (as in half or less than half) of the Sheraton in Santa Monica and the other Starwood properties in more desirable locations around LA, but if you are staying on hotel points it is by far less in points to stay at those hotels. It is 3 to 4K per night at the airport Sheraton and Westin, but 7K to 10K at the other Starwood properties.

So I agree, if you have a car and are going to be out a lot during the day and eating dinner out at night, it is not so bad staying at the airport hotels. It can actually be a bargain, and LA hotels don't generally offer too many of those, certainly not as close to Santa Monica as the airport is.

TxTravelPro

I travel to LA frequently and stay in the LAX area quite a bit.
I always rent a car in LA and recommend that everyone visiting LA rent a car! I can't imagine anyone walking down Century Blvd with bags unless they plan to head back to the a/p within 24 hours, which I suspect is the case.
When I visit LA, I am generally all over the place. I may have to go to Westminster, Long Beach, Santa Monica or even Malibu.
I have always found El Segundo and Manhattan Beach to be good bases for my needs.
The hotel rates in the area have always been relatively competitive and many offer free guest parking.
I suppose my message to anyone reading your post is to consider where you are going and try to find something that balances the convenience of location with what you can pay.
Just last week I went to DC for a meeting in Alexandria. I got a lot of opinions about my choice to stay in Chevy Chase, which is not at all convenient to Alexandria. BUT I got a 75.00 rate at a friends hotel, which was 300 PER NIGHT off the going rate.
I had to commute 1 hour each way to my meeting but it was SO worth it!!!

rjw_lgb_ca

sharon: Do Disney and Knott's from the Newport Coast property. Beverlywil is farther from both properties, for one thing. Traffic will be a somewhat more serious consideration once you're in the LA city limits (not that you won't get traffic in Orange County-- you will-- but when it's bad in LA, it's really bad!).

Gardyloo

What rjw_lgb_ca said. Actually, one benefit (?) of the RI in Costa Newport is that it's located in a total tangle of freeway ramps and over/underpasses, one or more of which will take you in the general direction of Wally World without much ado. Way easier than navigating to Anaheim from BH/West LA. Except between 7 and 8:30 am on weekdays, allow half an hour from the hotel to the outer reaches of ParkingLand - if you know where you're going (i.e. ask the desk.) Double-plus that time to get there from BH.

MBnancy

Gardyloo, The entrance to the Residence Inn MB is on Sepulveda Blvd. and the Lobby and dining area face the street, but the units go way to the back of the property and there is landscaping and pine trees around the units. We have stayed there twice ourselves when we have had some work done on our house. There is no street noise. It is also about a mile to the ocean, and great for vactioners to come back to the cool, smogless weather of the beach and go to the downtown area and find a nice restaurant for dinner or walk on the pier. Some tourist like to take a day off siteseeing and go to the beach, rent bikes, or walk the Strand. It is also about a mile or two to the freeway, however, locals take Vista del Mar along the ocean to go to Santa Monica or BH.

I have rec. the RI many times and people enjoy staying there. In fact, sometimes you can't get a reservation in the summer months.

I'm not suggesting that Sharonb stay there over Beverly Hills, but for others reading this, I would not want them to be put off staying on Sepulveda Blvd.

A 50 year resident of Manhattan Beach.

Gardyloo

Nancy - point taken.

Go 'Stangs.

sharonb

Thanks everyone for your help! Do you all agree that the Marriott Newport is too far to do day trips for the places we want to visit or do you think the drive will not be so bad?

Cali

I would do the Orange County things (Disney and Knotts Berry) from the Newport Coast Hotel and would do the other La Stuff from the hotel in Beverwil Area. I live in Newport Coast and traveling from there to anywhere is LA County is a headache. Going to the OC attractions won't be a problem at all - there will be traffic but nothing like coming from LA County. Have fun!!

joesorce

Sharon that would be a ridiculous drive. I don't usually advise a change-of-hotels with a family but in this case it would be worth it.

sharonb

Looking at a Map the drive doesn't look ridiculous it looks close, so I am glad you all told me that it is not a good idea with traffic ect. We want to spend a few days in San Diego also, so it looks like we will have to do the same there as well. Looks like this is going to be a long vacation.