My family, (me, husband, son 16, daughter 14) are visiting CA in July 2008. We are staying at vacation village on Luguna Beach for 5 nights and want to stay in LA/Bev Hills/West Hollywood area for 5 nights to do touristy things. We need a suite or 2 connecting rooms and my children do not want to sleep in the same bed. I don't want to spend more than 300-400/night. We will have a rental car but want to be within walking distance of some things to do such as restaurants, shopping, etc. We have reservations at the Renissance Inn Beverly Hills only because of the room layout and price but want to know if this is a good location. Friends of ours stayed at Le Parc, West Hollywood, and loved it. Any suggestions?? I did post this ame question a few weeks ago but got into where to stay on the beach. Now I need to focus on the LA portion on our trip,


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If you like the Renaissance Beverly Hills, I think you would like the location. I think finding the right room layout and price might be challenging with your family size, so if you like this one, go for it.

The teens will be impressed, staying in Beverly Hills. You can drive into Bel Air, on Rodeo Drive, Sunset Boulevard, go to UCLA and Westwood, Malibu, etc. All stuff that teens will like.

When our son was 16, we rented a red Mustang for one vacation in L.A., and he was in hog heaven because we let him drive it all over.
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HI Maureen, just curious what it cost you to add a 16 year old driver onto a rental car contract?

I think you mean the RESIDENCE Inn Beverly Hills?
Just curious as to why you didn't choose Le Parc if your friends liked it so much. Check the rates available there with the ENTERTAINMENT CARD discount, you can easily purchase a card membership online if it saves you $100 per night.
The Residence Inn location is not that great, in my opinion. It is CLOSE to everything by car, but walking around the area will not be very exciting for the kids. It's a few long blocks to the more touristy areas of Bev Hills.
Sunset Plaza Hotel has some connecting rooms that you might want to look into, it's right on the Sunset Strip near the Comedy Store, House of Blues etc. Again, ask for their Entertainment Card membership rate.

I think your other post mentions the Residence Inn Beverly Hills. It is well-located for the things you want to drive to see. I'm not sure if it matters to you at all, but please be aware that there is no swimming pool at that Residence Inn.

Very funny, socialworker. We actually 'rented' it from a friend there. Sorry I didn't take the time to put that in. I think you need to be at least 21 to be on a rental car contract, but I'm not sure.
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Your kids would LOVE the Hollywood Renaissance, which is a much better location for being in the thick of things than the others you mentioned. LA is so spread out but you can actually walk places from the Hollywood Ren.

It's on Hollywood Blvd., right next to the Kodak Theater (where the Oscars are) and across the street from El Capitan, where Jimmy Kimmel does his tv show. The Walk of Fame is right outside your front door and Graumann's Chinese Theater is just down the block.

Some people on this board have said they thought the area was seedy. I don't agree and liken it to Times Square--you see a little bit of everything but your kids are teenagers and would enjoy it, I'm sure (just thinking about my own teens). We've seen 'stars' everytime we've been there--I know there are websites listing the dates and times of live performances and 'star unveilings.'

There are several good restaurants in the Hollywood and Highlands complex (connected to the hotel), upscale as well as the Johnny Rockets type of food.

Good shopping also in the same complex--just about anything you could want. Of course, tons of souvenir/shirt/knockoff places in the area.

We didn't go but I know there's a Lucky Strike bowling alley right there too--kind of an upscale place where dj's spin records and videos are played.

Oh yeah, there's a nifty rooftop pool, too and we could see the Hollywood sign from our hotel room. It was a fun fun stay.

The nice thing about this area is that you're so central to everything--if traffic's not bad, you can scoot out to Santa Monica in 20-25 minutes or so and Rodeo Drive, etc. is even closer.

The problem with staying in Hollywood is that it can be stifling hot in July. Not that I would stay there any other time of year, either.......

Quite honestly, I wouldn't let a 16-year old drive a rental car in LA-the freeways and just the amount of traffic is a challenge for most drivers over 25 (IMHO )

Why is that? Just curious.

Sorry--I was directing my comment to joesorce and jbass slipped in ahead of me

We just returned from 4 days at the Universal City Hilton with our two teenagers. My husband & I usually like to stay at plusher boutique hotels, but it was perfect for a family. They do have suites and Club rooms as well as a swimming pool. It is adjacent to Universal Studios and the Universal City Walk (lots of shops, restaurants and theater screens; look up their web site). You can walk 5 minutes or take the free shuttle (comes every 15 minutes) to both the City Walk and the Studios. We took the shuttle once, but we found it easier to walk. We spent the first afternoon at the Griffith Park Planeterium which was only a couple of miles away. There was a nice hiking trail with views of the "Hollywood" sign, and the planeterium had an interesting show and exhibits. The next whole day was spent at Universal Studios, which was very entertaining. By the summer you should be able to get free tickets to TV shows, but we were there during the writers strike
The next day we took the kids to downtown Hollywood (again, literally just a few minutes away...I think 2 freeway exits away), and saw "Wicked" at the Pantages Theatre and had dinner at "Off Vine" which is walking distance to the beautiful art deco theatre. On our last day we had dim sum at the "Empress Pavilion" in Chinatown and did some shopping. We live about 3 hours north, so this was a perfect little family getaway in a perfect location. The teens had a really good time. Being in the summer, you will definitely want to take time for the beach. The cliff walk and board walk in Santa Monica are a blast. I love rollerblading there!

jbass, it depends on the kid, of course. Our son is an expert and well-trained driver with lots of drive time under his belt. He did fine, but only drove with his Dad and/or me in the car.

You're right about the freeways there. You'd better be good to keep up with the pace on those LA freeways!
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We stayed at the Westin Century City a couple of years ago. It's a nice, large hotel that caters to a lot of conference crowds. We liked its location, and it is next door to a mall, where you can find quick food and shops. You could feel safe letting the kids head over there without adults along, in fact.

Staying in Hollywood wouldn't be my choice, either. I'd want to stay by the water (Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Venice).

When we visit LMU, we stay at the Marriott Courtyard in Marina Del Rey. I think a double is about $169. It's a fine hotel, too. And it is across the street and nearby some shops and quick food joints that teens like. There's a Ritz Carlton right there, too, and several other hotels.

There are lots of choices in L.A.

Laguna Beach for 5 nights sounds great-- have fun!
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Hey, I have been reading all of the posts on LA, and I was wondering what the Entertainment Card is and how to get one?

uga: it would be best to start your own thread with a brand new topic. That way, someone who could answer your question specifically will spot you new thread.

Good luck!

Thank you easytraveler, I went ahead and posted it.