Snowgirl

Hello! We are planning a family vacation to the Los Angeles area and want to see all the usual places (Disneyland, Universal Studios, shopping, trip to SB). Has anyone stayed at the Four Seasons Westlake and/or the Ritz Carlton Huntington/Pasadena? We want to be able to easily travel to various sights, but also stay at an upscale, relaxing location with a lovely pool. Any other suggestions. Thank you!

StuDudley

I haven't been to the Huntington Hotel since our wedding reception in '71. It's very far from Disneyland, Universal, (don't know where SB is). You'll spend a good portion of the day on the horrible LA freeways. Why not stay someplace more exciting like Newport Beach instead. Closer to Disneyland, but far from Universal.

Stu Dudley

Snowgirl

Thank you for the suggestion. Are there any upscale hotels/resorts you would suggest? I was referring to Santa Barbara in my posting, which would be a lovely day trip.

StuDudley

Santa Barbara is pretty far away - at least more freeway miles than I would want to travel in a day.

I now live in the San Francisco area, after 22 years in the LA region. If you like Ritz Carltons, there is a very nice one right on the ocean in Laguna Niguel. That's still very far from Universal Studios, and WAY to far from Santa Barbara.

If you'll be in the region for more than 6 days, consider 2 different locations. One in Orange Co to do the Disneyland, Newport/Laguna Beach stuff, and then farther north for Universal studios, LA, Hollywood, perhaps Santa Barbara, etc.

Stu Dudley

Little_Man

The Four Seasons Westlake is really out of the way for most Los Angeles attractions, except maybe a trip to Santa Barbara, which I agree would be quite a long day trip, but not impossible...
I think breaking up the hotel stays between 2 locales, Orange County for Disneyland, (perhaps staying in Newport Beach at perhaps the Balboa Bay Club or Fairmont) and LA for Universal Studios (the Huntington, or even better, the Beverly Hills Hotel...) is a good idea.
Good Luck!

StuDudley

Frankie
Is the Balboa Bay Club now a hotel? I was a parking lot attendent there in the 60s & it was quite "private" then.

Stu Dudley

DeniceRG

Yep, the BBC is now a hotel, open to the public. It changed a couple of years ago. I think they still have a "members only" restaurant, and probably some "members only" perks.

The Four Seasons Westlake is a nice looking hotel, haven't seen the rooms, but have been to the lobby. It is out of the way though for any Los Angeles sites. The Ritz Carlton Pasadena is my favorite hotel. Gorgeous grounds and hotel. It's located in a residential section. Although not "right next door" to the sites, most would be convenient as long as you have a car

escargot

The Huntington Ritz/Pasadena is one of my all time favorite hotels - we were just there again this past fall - the staff, the courtyard, the pool and dining rooms, teh covered bridge and japanese gardens, it's just a fabulous hotel - but you may want to rethink your hotels, as someone noted, or at the least choose two separate stays - or else you are doing a lot of commuting in the car, which can be done - I've done the Disneyland day trip from there, and we just planned it to leave immediately after 'rush' and didn't return until well after dinner -

Cali

The Huntington Ritz Carlton/Pasadena is also my favorite hotel in the LA Area. It is not that far from some of the sights the LA Valley area (Universal Studios, other studios, Hollywood) and if you planned your time you could get to Disneyland easily from there. It is fun to go to Old Town Pasadena also. The 4 Seasons in Westlake is lovely but just too far out to enjoy anything in the LA Area. Traffic to and from there is terrible.

dina4

I know someone said that the Four Seasons Westlake is lovely, and perhaps it is, but you should know it is smack right next to a busy freeway (the 101), and that from the street it sort of looks like a medical building or some kind of institution. it does NOT look like a luxury hotel (although i realize that it is). furthermore, Westlake is not really a destination in itself (like Pasadena).

the Huntington Pasadena is gorgeous inside and out. i think you'd be happier there, especially since Pasadena has the great old town shopping area.

It's difficult to pick a " central" location in L.A., since everything is so spread out.
You might consider staying at Shutters in Santa Monica. It's gorgeous and right on the sand. Santa Monica is a fun place to base yourselves.

have fun planning

dina

tennislvr1

how old are your kids? I know the Ritz Carlton very well and like someone said, the grounds are beautiful, but its in a residential area.
I think Shutters in Santa Monica would be a great choice for your Universal Studio's tour. Why don't you stay in the Disneyland Hotel? Your kids will love it and its so nice to be able to go back to your room during the day at Dland. This all depends on how old your kids are.
I've also stayed at the Balboa Bay Club - very nice, on the bay. Pool is centrally located. Beds are SO comfortable - like sleeping on a cloud.
I agree about SB being a long drive from Pasadena. My brother drove from SB to Pasadena on Saturday to visit us and it took him almost 3 hours in the middle of the day. Ugh - LA traffic is getting worse and worse!

laurenzo

I agree with those that suggest you pick the Ritz. I've stayed there with my family and it's beautiful There are things to do in the area and the location is lovely. The surroundings of the 4Seasons are more commercial buildings, not in a neighborhood area. When we stayed at the Ritz, we drove into LA to do things and it wasn't far. How old are your children?

Snowgirl

First of all, thank you to everyone for all the helpful responses! My daughter will be 12 when we're in the LA area. The general consensus seems to be that the Ritz in Pasadena is the better place to stay. How is the pool area? We'd also like to take advantage of the hotel amenities to relax. Thanks again!