LAX Hotels for an overnight
 

I had to drop my week in LA on the way to my 5 week stay in Hawaii as the play I'm in at Georgia is now extending another week. So I will now fly from Florida via Chicago to LA on Tuesday, Sept. 8; that's the day after Labor Day. My flight gets into LAX at 10 PM (which don't forget will seem like 1AM to me still on Eastern time). I fly out to Honolulu the next day at 10:30 AM. So I want a hotel just for the night -- and I don't even care about dinner (will have had two first class meals on the flights going out to LA already.

I might bid Priceline, but first I want to know what hotels I might want to avoid. Any that are really difficult to get to? Any comments on which ones are better than others with shuttles, or will taking a taxi be more efficient? Obviously all I really care about is a good night's sleep, a good bed, a nice shower, and ease of getting to and from the airport.

We've overnighted at LAX on the way to HNL from London at La Quinta LAX. It served it's purpose, place to stay and rest after the long flight, very reasonable price and the shuttle to/from airport was frequent. But no dining options.There are better class hotels for sure, but this was sufficient for our requirements.

Interesting. I just started checking and found the LaQuinta to look like a good location -- has free internet (can't believe how many hotels add up to $15 for that for just one night) and pretty much the lowest price I've found -- $71.

I may have a friend meet me and share the room and pick me up and take me to the airport -- so parking might be kind of an issue. I also checked the Radisson -- good senior rates, but no self parking at all (under construction) and valet parking only at $22 a night extra.

And now wanting two beds, Priceline may be an issue.

Hi NP! How was Ashland? What play are you in?

I've pricelined twice at LAX - got the Sheraton once and the Radisson the other time. Both times when I checked in they asked me if I wanted two queens or a king. (Same thing every time I've PL'ed at SFO). I don't think the bed configuration is much of an issue like it is in NYC or London. But to make sure - if you get a successful bid, call the hotel and request the room type you want.

I'm doing Greater Tuna in Blue Ridge, Ga. for two weeks with the same actor I've done it with twice before along with A Tuna Christmas. He and his wife now live up there and we're the second show in a brand new theatre opening this month in Blue Ridge.

Ashland was perhaps the best season ever. Loved all 7 plays I saw.

Yea, I bet you're right about the bed configuration. I think most of those airport hotels have more rooms with two beds than they need unlike NYC hotels. Average Priceline win seems to be about $45 to $55 often the Sheraton or the Radisson. I guess we'd just have to deal with the valet parking if I won the Radisson and if indeed my friend becomes my "taxi". I just always cringe with valet if 30 people are all waiting for their cars at the same time in the morning to make a quick getaway. I've "been there" too many times. There's also something to be said for the free "help yourself" breakfast at La Quinta, compared to two $20 or more breakfasts at the Radisson or Sheraton though. That $71 at LaQuinta is looking awfully good and "safe" right now.

Studying Bidding for Travel, I see I could avoid the Radisson by sticking with 3.5 stars, as it is 3 star. 3.5 star bids seem to be about the same -- and consist of the Crown Plaza, the Hilton, and the Marriott. But the Hilton often wins and the reports are nightmarish. Nearly everyone complains of a lack of sleep due to the noise, and many complaints of getting tiny rooms, rooms needing repair, and the self parking at the top of 6 floors or ramps that can take "30 minutes to get to" (probably an exaggeration), but maybe not. These are the things I was looking to avoid and I'm not sure I can with Priceline.

I've found a senior price at the Sheraton Gateway for $89 with $13 self parking and free internet. That doesn't sound bad either and many reports that the triple windows there keep out all noise.

By the way, I found out about the self parking issue and the overtaxed valet parking at the Radisoon through some very negative reports. I called the hotel and found out there will be no self parking due to construction there until at least November.

I've stayed at that La Quinta and have to confess I was seriously underwhelmed. The counter people were brusque to put it mildly, the front desk was a scene of mass confusion owing to large groups of foreign tourists trying to make sense of their lodging vouchers with front desk people who seemed to be more interested in talking on the phone. My room was okay but pretty basic. The breakfast was very standard motel breakfast - a couple of hot trays with mummified eggs, muffins and bagels fresh from the wrapper, jug coffee. You get what you pay for.

I'd go PL for 4 stars, and figure the valet charge still makes for an okay deal.

Incidentally, on a couple of occasions I've had the hotel shuttle take me to one of the rental car lots, or conversely had the rental car shuttle drop me at one of the hotels on Century. Wouldn't count on it but it happens.

Gardyloo, you missed the point about valet. It isn't the charge so much (even LaQuinta charges for self parking). It was reports of waiting up to an hour to get your car when you have a flight to catch.

Not talking about rental car either. It's a local (well, near LA) with his own car.

But I did overlook the 4* category -- Rennaisance, Westin, or that Sheraton Gateway, eliminating the possibility of the "dreaded" Hilton which sounds even worse than your description of the LaQuinta. I don't mind being underwhelmed, but lots of people were literally disgusted with the Hilton.

The 4*LAX seem to win at $55 or $60, now if it isn't an additional $40 for parking AND internet (which some may be). . . But that guaranteed Sheraton Gateway for $89 is sounding pretty good too, since it is one of the 4* possibilities.

Then I would go with the Sheraton deal you found. I've stayed there several times with no complaints.

I've also never had trouble with hotel shuttles at LAX being on time and easy to use. Only one exception - the Hacienda on Sepulveda in El Stinko - which has been in existence too long for its own good.

With a 10:30 departure I don't think you'll have trouble any way you choose - the big surge is for east coast nonstops that leave before 9.

Patrick, I have always gotten the 4 star Westin at Lax, on priceline for between $60 and $70 a night. We don`t eat there, as their restaurant is on the expensive side, but you can always go somewhere at the airport for breakfast. I have been there 5 or 6 times on a priceline bid and have never gotten anything else. You won`t have a problem, asking for 2 beds, as that is always what my sister and I request. It is a nice hotel, and you can request being on the side where planes land, and watch them, or request a room away from the landing field. I like watching the planes myself, and nothing seems to fly late at night. I am looking forward to your trip report in Hawaii!

Patrick, I always use the Westin`s shuttle without a problem.

Thanks for the Westin information, pat. I do know to whatever bid I'd have to add about $7 for the extra Priceline fee, plus $18 for self parking, plus $12 for internet.

I am sorry to read you will only be here for a short time. I was hoping to do a gtg with you and Cats.

Regarding the hotels - dh stayed the sheraton for a conference and felt it was fine - he did not complain about any noise.

I have stayed at the Marriott and the service was very good - and they let me keep my car there the entire weekend for my flight for no charge.

Mom, because this is FF flights, I can still do a change of dates. I'm now thinking of staying in LA after Hawaii since I can't do it before. Since I'm just doing the overnight (too late to connect same day) on the way that doesn't count as a stopover, so they will let me add a stopover on my way back. I may spend a few days or a week arriving back in LA on Oct. 14. I'll let you know.

Please do - I would love to gtg - Cathie and I had SO much fun (see: 4 hour - two glass of wine lunch that could have turned into dinner!)

Please keep us posted. LA is a lot of fun! :-D

NeoPatrick,
This may be out of your price range but I noticed on Travelzoo that the Renaissance LAX is listed for $129 and includes parking and internet

You might look at the Doubletree in Escondido. They spoil me when I come to LA and am heading out the next day. There's a great shuttle - two drinks each on the hotel - breakfast (hot and sitdown) and the price has always been under $100.

Check it out Patrick - beds are as comfy as can be too.

Escondido? That is a really long ride!

NeoPatrick: I've stayed at the LAX Marriott on exactly your schedule. Five minute shuttle ride. Current vintage remodel. If you get the right price, I would recommend.