hello all,
can I please get some help. We will be in LA for 2 nights. Arriving on a Monday, and then leaving on Wednesday morning to fly to NYC. The flight time for that morning is 9am.
We will be arriving in LA, later in the afternoon on a Monday as we will be driving from Las Vegas. We are from Australia, and my husband is not too keen on driving around LA
So here are my options:
1) stay at Best Western Sunset Plaza or
2) stay at Holiday Inn Express, walk of Fame.
If we do this we will need to keep the car to look around and then drive ourselves to the airport on the Wednesday morning. Price will be about $179 per night for Best Western and $160 for Holiday Inn, which includes breakfast. I believe parking has a charge, but it is not a ridiculous amount. The rooms are twin doubles.

Or I can do
(3) STay in Santa Monica. Loews have a travelzoo special which is $159 per night for twin doubles. Just standard room. There is not breakfast. We would hand in our car if we arrive. We will be booking through Hertz (as I get company rates). There is a Hertz drop off at Loews which is convenient. Also, we could look around Santa Monica when we arrive, and then on the Tuesday take a Hop on Hop off to get around LA. Again convenient because the HoHO bus stops at Loews. Then we could take a taxi on the Wednesday morning.

Is option (3) the best. I will be travelling with my husband and 17yr old.
Any other suggestions also welcome.
thanks in advance.

Also take a look at www.hotwire.com. Santa Monica Loews would tempt me.. see what others say.

I think it depends on what you want to do while you're in L.A.

Do you want to relax at the beach? Stroll at Venice Beach? Go to the Getty Villa? If so, stay in Santa Monica.

Do you want to go to Disneyland? Universal Studios? Hollywood? If so, you might want to stay at either Best Western Sunset or Hollywood Walk of Fame. They'd both be fine.

Santa Monica gives you a lot of activity, shopping, beach, boardwalk, restaurants and ocean ALL within walking distance... then add the Hop on to take you around the rest of LA..... it's an excellent location...

plus its perfect for a 17 year old...dude

We just got back from L.A. stayed one night post cruise at the Palomar in upscale Westwood. Top flight boutique hotel, near the Getty Museum. We paid $229 but that included dinner at their amazing restaurant BLVD 16 and a free movie in room or at the theater 2 blocks down the street. They also have a hotel car that will drop you off in a 2 or 3 mile radius and best of all they offer free wine from 5PM to 6PM each evening in the lobby, each glass they pour is equal to 2 to 3 glasses in a restaurant and you can get refills.

If you have a 9AM flight you may not have time for breakfast the final morning. We had a 9:30AM to New York and we left the hotel at 7AM on a weekend, with weekday traffic you will probably have to leave earlier.

They have a parking garage, but not sure what it costs, since we didn't have a car. Taxi to airport ran about $50 with tip in very little traffic.

It does depend on what you want to do but the Loew's deal sounds good. Your son would like Santa Monica. Don't know all the stops for the Hop On Hop Off bus but you would get to see some of LA without driving.

I like #3, the Santa Monica idea BY FAR the best. Why wouldn't you keep the rental car with this plan (I'm not clear on that detail)?

Santa Monica isn't that far from LAX. I'd agree that Santa Monica is the best option.

Does the Loews have an airport shuttle?

It depends on what you want to do. If you want to do sightseeing in Hollywood, stay in Hollywood.

If you are happy with Santa Monica, Venice and the Getty Museums, then Santa Monica will be fine.

Loews is very nice and is right on the beach. I'd jump at those rates.

I don't recall an airport shuttle, however it is an easy taxi ride for about $30...

thank you very much everyone - Loews it is. I have just booked. And the rates are very good.
I really was very concerned about getting to the airport on a Wednesday morning.
Have checked out the Palomar - I really liked this option, but I think we would need to keep the car, and my husband really does not want to drive in the traffic, especially to the airport.

Be forewarned ... the prices in the restaurant at Loew's are INSANE. If I'm recalling, at least $30 for a bowl of oatmeal, fruit, and coffee. Luckily, there are lots of other restaurants.

I love Santa Monica and the Loew's is fantastic--especially at that price. If you enjoy people watching and shopping be sure to visit the 3rd Street Promenade.

Venice will be quiet during the weekdays -- but I still recommend strolling on the boardwalk and wandering along the canals. I love watching the surfers and the sunsets from Venice Pier. You can often spot sea lions and dolphins from the pier.

One more suggestion .... if you have a car -- breakfast at Gladstone's at Sunset Blvd. & PCH. It's expensive (though not nearly as bad as Loew's) but very good, and worth it for the view and the beautiful walk after breakfast. Have also seen dolphins there many times.

I'll be returning in a few weeks for business and will be staying at Venice Beach. You've got me really looking forward to it!

thanks Songdoc - have started reading more reviews on Loews and fully understand the cost associated with just about everything there. But for $159 per night, cannot beat the location, and it will be a good spot to base ourselves.
Enjoy your trip too!!!!!!

If he's managed the drive in from Vegas -- your husband won't have any trouble driving from Santa Monica to LAX (or most anywhere else for that matter).

Is there traffic in LA, yes in spades, but it really isn't the nightmare some fear. Has someone fed him horror stories or is it just his own fear? Touring LA is much MUCH easier by car than by public transport.

Agreeing with janisj above, driving in Los Angeles is not difficult. It is a city built around traveling by car, people are good drivers there generally speaking, since everyone's always IN their cars! Santa Monica to LAX is a snap.

The good thing about traffic in LA is that it's usually so bunged up that people are not going too fast!

I will be travelling with my husband and 17yr old.
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Have your son drive. Seventeen year old males are fearless.
It can get congested and/or takes patience but it isn't dangerous.

remember, as in many large cities.. the 4 lane superhighways are not always the smoothest/fastest route certain times of day.