Hi Folks: I need your help - all of it! My sister and brother-in-law are leaving for their west coast trip on the 17th of Sept. They have no idea where to stay in the LA area and don't want to pay over $100 a nite for a nice room in a good area. They also want to see all the famous stars homes - an anyone advise me for them. Thanks - Donna

Staying in LA for less than $100 a night in a reasonably nice place is easy; just choose the area you want to visit, get a guide book with listings of lodgings, and phone ahead. It never hurts to ask "Do you have any discounts I could use?" I've NEVER a problem staying there for less than $60 a night.

As for seeing the homes of the stars, I can only suggest, "forget it!" For obvious reasons, celebrities do not give out their addresses; so those bus tours and maps are nothing more than rumor, speculation, just-plain-wrong stories, and stuff that's years out of date. The false info stated by one gets repeated by others; pretty soon its impossible to separate fact from fiction.

Sure, drive around Bel-Air and go "Ohh" and "Ahh" at these expensive homes; but don't count on having any idea who lives in any of them.

You can also use the EXCITE search engine as it has listings of motels and also has maps that can zoom in and out in any area in L.A. . I have my AAA book here in front of me. Its over a year old, prices may be slightly higher now but it shows the Radisson on Wilshire Blvd as being close to Universal Studios. L.A. coliseum, Dodger Stadiu, Hollywood and Griffith Park. $79 a night- probably for AAA members. Non members pay a few dollars more. Worldwide reservation number is 1/800 333 3333. Then there are Red Lion Hotels and Inns all over califorina. Again one number 1/800 547-8010. Then there are Howard Johnson Chains, averaging around $65 a night. Call 1/800 info for their main reservation number. And last I'll mention Holiday Inns, around $59 to $89 a night. 1800 624 0025. There is one near the L.A. International airport they could stay in the first night until they get settled. Good luck!

Thanks a millionto both of you - must sister really appreciates it. With those two it's like the blind leading the blind. They need all the help they can get! Thanks again - Demi

Demi- here is a neat website I found in EXCITE- its www.starseeker.com/act.htm

Has 1,000's of links- 2 of which are 10,000 Celebrity home addresses and another with 12,000 home addresses and personal e mails of the stars!

have fun!

Try using "Travel Web" at:

www.travelweb.com

You can get a listing of all the hotels/motels in the area with details about each one including photos. You can even book the rooms on line if you wish. I use it all the time as often the online rates are lower then those offered directly by the hotel. To find out the actual room rates: Select the hotel of choice, click on "reserve ...", fill in the form accordingly and it will return availability and the rates. You don't need to actually book the room at that time.

Hi Demi!
My suggestion is to stay in the coastal cities as opposed to inland. I live in Santa Monica with Brentwood, Pacific Palisades and Bel Air near. The beach cities just South, Redondo & Manhattan Beach area is also very nice. E-mail me if you need more info.