Hi All,

I am going to reward some of our best salespeople in the country with the top prize being a trip for two to Hollywood in October for the Film Festival. I'm looking for as great of a hotel as I can get for around $200/night. It must be centrally located, in particular near the Beverly Hilton and the ArcLight Cinemas (or at least not a long drive to the Cinemas).

I'll be hosting this group for a couple of days running them back and forth to the film festival and taking them out to eat and shop. These are restaurant salespeople and their spouses, so they're used to staying at somewhat upscale places. However, I'm working within the constraints of a budget so I can't go too crazy

What are your thoughts on the following hotels:
The Tower-Beverly Hills
Sofitel
Hollywood Roosevelt
Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive

It's not likely that any of these hotels would show up on travel sites as being $200/night, I realize that. I will therefore be sourcing out people in my industry who might be able to help me get some price breaks. I just find that you usually can't go wrong with the opinions on this forum and and more looking to whittle down this list first based on quality and worry about the price later.

Thanks!

I think the Tower might be in your ballpark. It's on the fringes of BH but not too far from the Hilton (probably less than 2 miles).

The Luxe would be the closest to the Hilton, but I'd be astonished if its rates are $200. The location would be the comfortable for people who are "used to staying at somewhat upscale places."

Can't comment on the other two.

The Beverly Hilton and the ArcLight are not near eachother at all. Perhaps consider the Sunset Plaza, the Roosevelt or the Renaissance Hollywood? I'm not sure of their prices, but the location would be a bit more convenient. The Arc Light is on Sunset and Vine.

Denice

Thanks to you both for your responses. Jean, I'm looking to get to that "ballpark of $200" after working any industry discounts I can, so likely I'll be starting off at around $250 and going from there.

Denice, have you been in or ever stayed at the Sunset Plaza or Renaissance? I will look again, but I don't recall finding them in my searches. Just curious as to how they are.

Thank you!

Hi Ant,

I've never stayed at either, being a local, but have been there. The Renaissance is fairly new, right next door to the Hollywood and Highland complex with the Kodak Theater (where the Acadamy Awards are held), Grauman's and plenty of restaurants. I've been in the lobby, it's very nice. And I have had many groups stay there (I'm a tour guide) and haven't heard a complaint. The Sunset Plaza has gotten good reviews.

Hope this helps.

It does Denice, thanks! I'll keep you posted as I am sure I'll have some more questions once I get the hotel portion of this thing sorted out.

C

I'm a self-admitted hotel snob but can safely say that the Renaissance is awesome and in a perfect location. We stayed there a couple of years ago and I'd go again in a heartbeat. Nice rooftop pool and we could see the Hollywood sign from our room.

Hollywood is really cleaning up its act (much like Times Square) and we had a great time hitting the tourist spots on Hollywood Blvd. Jimmy Kimmel tapes across the street at El Capitan and the Roosevelt is good for a quick peek (although it seemed dark and dingy to me--wouldn't want to stay there).

Tess, a self-admitted hotel snob was just what I was looking for To say that I'll have a discerning crowd with me would be an understatement. Thanks, I'll be looking into the Renaissance as well.

Check out www.crescentbh.com which is a small, boutique hotel three blocks from Luxe on Rodeo Drive. Taxes will put the final cost over/under $250. Tres hip.

Ant -
Can I ask the ages of the people you're hosting?

There are a few hotels considered young and trendy that aren't quite as pricey as some of the other ones - the Standard (http://www.standardhotel.com) comes to mind

Another tip is to troll expedia, travelocity and orbitz to see who has the lowest rate.

But don't book through one of those sites because if you phone the hotel, they'll often match that rate. Cheaper for you as you'll save on the service charge that Expedia et all charge.

Jean, the Crescent looks FABULOUS...I'm in spa mode just browsing the site...

Pomme, the answer to your question is that I actually don't know. I'm running a sales rep contest for states in both the midwest and the east coast, so we could get a mixed bag... I should probably err on the side of a 30's/40's crowd I suppose. No idea, really as it's anyone's guess who's going to win (2 couples from the midwest, 2 from the east coast).

You're absolutely right though, about the advice you gave regarding booking thru the hotel rather than expedia, etc. I'm beginning to travel a lot for work and am starting to see the downside of booking through these sites (no flexibility, the whole drill).

Thanks!!