LA's Staples Center - Help with accomms pls.
 

Any suggestions on where to stay that is within walking distance, if possible. The Holiday Inn right across from SC is sold out already.

Alternatively, to lower costs are there any B&Bs that would be convenient to SC, on a public transit line with no transfers?

I haven't been to LA for 15 years so I'm not familiar with what's nearby. I usually stay in 4* places but B&B or 3* hotel will be fine since I know I'll be spending 10 hrs/day at SC, and I know LA hotels must be expensive.

This is for a trip to the Figure Skating Worlds (last championship before 2010 Olympics!), March 22-29, 2009.

Thx for any suggestions/insights.

For budget, try the Hotel Figueroa. It's a funky hotel right down the street. I have not stayed there, so read reviews about the place. For more upscale, there's the Westin Bonaventure, The Biltmore or Sheraton, but they are further away.

Your best bet may be to do a city-wide quote, and then sort the results based on distance from the center -- figure you can find some places within a mile or two (since you want to walk).

Head over to http://www.resideo.com/us/california/losangeles/ and click the "Check Availability" button. Choose your dates, submit the form, then select "Staples Center" drop the distance dropdown -- the results will re-order, with closest places first.

You'll see hotel name, distance from SC, then the rooms/rates all in one list.

There's a Clarion within 1 mile, rates are 240.00/night! :-S

Good luck!

Here is a link from the official site of the LA Worlds. It includes all of the hotels that have special rates for event goers, as well as their proximity to the arena.

http://www.isuworlds2009.com/hotels.php

A lot of people on the skating board that I frequent who can't afford to stay downtown are planning to stay in areas that are on direct rail lines to the downtown area. Pasadena seems to be a popular choice with them. I don't know if that would be your cup of tea or not, but it's an option.

Thx a mint for all replies - much appreciated!

I checked out Hotel Figueroa - pretty neat. Only so-so reviews but when I attended the Worlds in 2001, I literally spent 12 hours a day at the arenas watching practices and competitions so HF might work out well since it's so close.

thepeters - great consolidator of LA hotels - thx!

Kostromo - hey skating fan! With US Women's field suddenly so deep it's an exciting time. I think they'll show well in 2010 and having the Worlds at home will be a much added bonus. I was wondering about that - I'll check out the logistics/time payoff of staying in Pasadena too.

Enjoy-la!

There's a Blue Line station very near Staples, so any hotel in downtown L.A. within your definition of walking distance to the station at 7th and Figueroa would work. You could also look for a hotel along the Red Line route and change trains at 7th/Fig.

Here's a map of the Red Line route:

http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/red_line.htm

Hotel Figueroa is too funky for me, but I guess it depends on your budget.

Thx a mint for the info Jean! I didn't know to look into the Red Line so I will check that out.

I took a look at the Metro website last nite but not really knowing the lay of the land, didn't come up with a lot despite many pages of viewing. A lot of that had to do with my focus on the Blue line and then reading somewhere that it goes thru some tough areas. I know that some events will end at 10:30 pm so I'm concerned about taking the Blue Line at that time given the anecdotal info I've read.

Can anyone tell me if the area around Staples Center is safe to walk around at at night? I'm talking about the 8-10 blks from SC to the library area, just to get back to one of those hotels. Of course like any big city we will use common sense, just trying to get a sense of the area. I'm mtg a gf in LA so we'll probably go to/from the events together.

It's great that the Metro sure is affordable, tho!

Enjoy-la!

The Standard Downtown is a hip boutique hotel within walking distance of the Staples Center.

Its safe to walk at night as long as you stay on the major streets.

I'm a woman, so I wouldn't consider walking around much after 10/11 p.m., but I think it's fair to say Figueroa between Staples and 5th/6th (Library) is safe as is the Blue Line between Staples at the 7th/Fig station. I'd take the Blue even for that short distance.

Downtown L.A. is so much more populated at night than it used to be, especially the area around Staples. This area is part of the huge LA Live project which will eventually include a Ritz Carlton Hotel.

The negative comments about the Blue relate to areas south of Staples, heading toward Long Beach, that the train travels through. I haven't heard reports of crimes occurring ON the trains, so I'm not sure whether the warnings about riding the Blue are justified. In any event, there are no hotels anywhere near this part of the Blue until you get to Long Beach, so you're not even going to be considering this.

What's your hotel budget? Rather than all this talk about which lines go where, maybe we can identify specific hotels for you to look at.

Fodor's destination guide is better/more complete.

I checked out the Standard - wow, very cool. No availability for our 10 day stay and probably a bit too pricey for this trip, but I've bookmarked if DH & I return to LA for a short trip - thx!

Sorry to be so roundabout with the Metro & hotel. I'd like to get the best 3 or 4* place for the least amount of money...LOL! If the going rate is $240/250 per nt then I will pay it but if I could get it for less then I'd like to save the $.

I know there's a cost/hassle factor that I will have to decide on. For example, I wouldn't be willing to save $20 to stay in Pasedena. However, since the stay is 10 nites, $25 difference/nite might make it worth it to stay a little farther out.

I checked out some places again today and think I may have narrowed it down pretty well based on price and just not having to hassle with transit - at nite I still have to get to the hotel after I get off transit, etc. Funny you say I won't be in Long Beach...I had no idea how far that was last nite when I was checking the Metro website and looked it up on a schedule...yikes!

So it might be btwn Hotel Figeuro ($164) & the Millennium Biltmore ($189). I think the MB looks nicer but it might be a bit too far to walk (20 min?) at nite. I was pretty surprised I could get these places for sub-$200.

However, hearing that the area is safe at nite eases my mind a lot. Plus of course there will be many other figure skating fans flooding the streets immediately after the event too.

Enjoy-la!

I stayed in downtown LA about 6 months ago. I bid about $75 on Priceline for a 4*, total was $100 a nite and I got the Westin Bonaventure in Downtown LA on 4th street. Take a look at biddingfortravel.com and you can see what the current 'winning' hotels are.

I stayed at the Milenium Biltmore in 2002. Very nice and well maintained historic hotel. I didn't walk around much at night, so I can't comment on that.

travisblue - I took a look at the WBonaventure and it's pretty well the same distance as the Biltmore. Actually better I think cuz it doesn't require any zigzagging so it's a better transit/cab route. I'll check out PL for this stay...getting it for half price would be great! Thx a mint for the tip.

Good to know you the Biltmore is still well maintained. Some of the reviews had me a bit wary. I think it should be just fine.

Enjoy-la!

As far as the Biltmore, while the walk may be "safe", it probably won't "Feel safe" to a tourist after dark. And as far as the Figueroa, yes the area is okay but for over a week, I think you'd get bored with the area's offerings pretty quickly.

The Blue line is right outside the Staples Center for a quick transfer to the red line or the gold line. Artists Inn in Pasadena might be perfect for you, if you can handle the metro rides (maybe 8 mins Blue then 20 mins Gold?).

Red Line is an easy walk from Staples, about 4 blocks straight shot. Or, it's 2 mins on the closer blue line and a very easy transfer to the Red. Red Line opens up Hollywood as an option, The Renaissance Hotel is great and right above the metro station, and there is also Orchid Suites or Hotel Celebrity for fridge/microwave extended stays a block and a half away.

If you're not gonna spend 12 hours every day at Staples, staying in Hollywood opens up a lot of options for you like a 7 minute metro ride up to Universal Citywalk (restaurants, pubs, movies etc)...or a bus ride or Dash shuttle ride down to the Grove, the Farmers Market, lots of shopping and dining.

Thx a mint joesource for your detailed reply!

I appreciate your comments about feeling safe walking back to the Biltmore. I ran a shortlist of hotels past DH and he agreed. He said if I could get the Bonaventure for $75/nt then it'd be worth it since the savings would easily cover the cost of a cab ride back at nite.

Artist Inn has no availability for some of our dates. I checked out the other ones you mentioned as well...Renaissance is coming up $299/nt.

This event is a bit crazy as the practices (which are really interesting to watch!!) start at 6:30 am (different disciplines on diff days in SC and the adjacent convention center) and the competitive events finish at 10:30 most nights. So really 12 hrs/day isn't an overstatement...LOL! Of course fans choose their disciplines to watch and go for their breaks here and there.

Enjoy-la!

If this is a big event and you are getting high quotes and sold outs, I would not hang my hat on finding the Bonaventure on Priceline or anywhere else for $75.

There are also a few hotels in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of downtown. You would probably want to cab it back at night. During the day you could take DASH.

Hotel Miyako and Hotel "Kyoto Grand" which was formerly known as New Otani (fairly recent ownership change).

I would do a bit of research on these first, tripadvisor etc.

mlgb, thx for pointing that out. The PL bid is just a "if I get lucky". After I posted I noticed the Bonaventure is one of the event hotels too so that is even more unlikely.

I made a cancelable booking at Hotel Figeuro, even tho I managed to snoop out a better deal at the Biltmore. Crashing out of bed and just stumbling a couple of blocks every morning before 7 am while on vacation is just too attractive an option...LOL!

Enjoy-la!

You asked about whether it would be safe walking late at night there. It's one thing to walk there on the way to a large event when everyone is walking that way but another when it's over and you're going further than the Holiday Inn.

There was an article in the LA Times about the car jacking and robbery problems just parking at the Staples Center (in their own lot).

I'd go for any option where you're not walking or get a group together to walk. Don't wear any jewelry, try to have a purse substitute and athletic shoes. This is an area of a lot of crime because it's close to poor areas and they know tourists are there. But if you look like a student you'll look less like a target.

Maybe you can find someone on the skating board who would take a roommate at the Holiday Inn.

Hi klam_chowder, I'm also looking at going to LA Worlds, and staying at either the Biltmore or the Westin Bonaventure, but the issue of walking 7 - 8 blocks or so back to my hotel by myself late at night is a signifcant concern.

I was at Gothenburg Worlds this year and our hotel was less than a block away from the rink, which was really convenient and no worries whatsoever about walking home late at night.

Did you decide where to stay? Maybe we could try to organize a "walking group" to meet up after the competition ends each night and walk back to the hotel together!

Hi travelgirl2_99!

After reading all the info here about safety in that area, I chickened out and booked at the Figueroa. It's only 2 blocks away (the owner says, "it's across the street").

Also figuring into my decision is the event fine print. In the past World I'd been to, they didn't clear out the arena between events so it was very convenient to just "settle in" to your seats for the whole day and use the break times to eat, etc. I read on the site that they are clearing out the arena for an hour between the events. If the hotel is very close I could go back to freshen up, etc. If it's 8 blocks away, by the time I get to the hotel, it'd be time to go back.

I wasn't keen on walking back that distance to Biltmore/Bonaventure; I didn't want that apprehension every nite, even if in the end I arrived safely.

Your walking group idea sounds like a good one. If I were walking that distance, I wouldn't be shy asking others who were flooding the streets and walking in that direction if they were walking to your hotel, and just asking if you can walk together. You know skating folk are friendly!

I'd like to stay at a nicer place (the difference in price is minimal btwn the hotels) but I just opted for convenience. I don't want to hassle with trying to snag a cab after the event as I know the queues post-event anywhere can be long. I'm still going to keep an eye out for PL.

I was disappointed with the pricing of this Worlds - others have said it was cheaper to go to last year's Worlds in Sweden than the one in LA! Going to last year's must have been a treat - lucky gal!

Well, I guess they know the hook is it's the last one before the Olympics. So they got me. I plan to go to the Vancouver Olympics - am SOOO hoping I can get tix for it.

If you haven't got your 2009 tix yet, I just bought my tix this week - still reasonably good seats available (Row 16). Just FYI, I found better seats phoning in rather than going thru ticketmaster.

Enjoy-la!

A couple of restaurants within a block or two of the Figueroa Hotel, all on Figueroa Street:

Zucca (Italian)
Roy's (Hawaiian)
The Pantry (historic and cheap, lines out the door)
Riordan's Tavern

Jean, how wonderful of you to take time to post those restaurants - thx a mint! I'll check them out on-line before I go.

Enjoy-la!