We are staying three nights in LA towards the end of next month as one leg of a Californian fly drive from the UK. I currently have reservations for a one bedroom suite at the Best Western Marina Pacific Hotel and Suites in Pacific Avenue, Venice and also at the Summerfield Suites West Hollywood. The BW Marina Pacific is reserved at $169 per night to include breakfast plus $9 parking per night. The Summerfield Suites offers a rate of $139 incl breakfast, parking $18 per night. Now to further complicate matters Expedia are offering a one bedroom suite at The Wyndham Bel Age for $155 excl b'fast - valet parking is about $20/25 per night. This is obviously the most upscale hotel of the three but with two lively boys aged 8 and 5 would we be completely out of place there and stressed about having to 'contain' the kids in a non-family friendly nvironment. We plan to spend one day in Hollywood/Beverley Hills and one day in Santa Monica/Venice so either location would suit us. My instict is to go with the BW at Venice which was refurbished last year and is apparently 200 ft from the ocean, but the Bel Age is tempting.....Please forgive my indeciciveness. Any opinions?

If you do decide to book the Bel Age, it could be cheaper to book and prepay through www.airnet.co.uk.

It's on my shortlist for a trip in May and for my dates, costs £88 per night including tax.

I would choose Summerfield Suites for the central location, family size rooms, breakfast and price. You can probably get a better price at quikbook.com, or at wyndham.com by searching their "webrates".

The Bel Age does have that "ultra LA" feel to it, i.e. not kid friendly but they do have a nice roof top pool area and the rooms are HUGE.
Now that I think about it the pool area was pretty sedate though.Being close to the beach would be nice for your kids. I'm sure you know that Venice Beach gets pretty wild, so keep an eye on your kids while there. Good luck and have fun.

Thank you all for replying. Jacqui I tried airnet but they didn't offer the Bel Age for the dates I need.
Joesorce, I have reserved the Summerfield Suites through the Wyndham website; Quikbook didn't offer a one bedroom suite only 'junior' or 'executive', I did check there before reserving direct. Thank you anyway. Viamar, thanks for the advice about Venice - sounds fun?
Needless to say I am still undecided!!! Probably the Bel Age rate via Expedia will disappear before I make my mind up and at least then I'll only have to decide between two rather than three options. I'm still favouring the BW at Venice right now but without knowing the LA area at all it's hard to decide...