Will be seeing Lion King at Pantages Theater, LA. Any suggestions as to where to stay for the one night? Budget not necessarily an issue. Hotel Roosevelt is booked.

Also, any recommendations for nearby restaraunts? Would prefer kinda nice sit down, not necessarily real formal.

Thanks, all.

The restaurant selection near the Pantages, at least within walking distance, is pretty skimpy. I would suggest choosing somewhere near your hotel once you decide on it, and then eat a little early so you can get over there.

Sorry, I'm useless regarding hotels.

BTW, DON'T MISS the opening scene of the show. They will hold you in the lobby for a few minutes if you're late, and the opening number was a highlight for me.

One of the greatest hotels in Los Angeles is only a mile from the Pantages Theatre.. the newly restored, really incredible, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Blvd., Is Approx. 5 blocks west of where the Lion King is playing. If you don't want to walk you could take the brand new Metro redline one stop to get off directly across from the theatre, and you won't have to pay to park.
The Roosevelt is a 4 star property, reputedly haunted by Marilyn Monroe, Rudolph Valentino and Montgomery Clift, it's Blossom Ballroom hosted the first ever Academy Awards, and it's Cinegrill is a very nice night club.
Restaurants in between the Roosevelt include the also newly restored and incredibly trendy
Pig and Wistle...(you can actually reserve a bed, and have your dinner served in it)Trendy Italian food

Micheli's Best Italian Food in Hollywood, one of our areas oldest restaurant, with a piano bar and tons of Chianti bottles hanging from the rooftops..

IN the Roosevelt, Theodors cafe serves a decent lunch, but the service though nice, tends to be on the Slow Side...

For Cheap

Le Mandarette take away Chinese food on the corner of La Brea and Hollywood.. they can deliver to your hotel.

The website for the Roosevelt is
http://www.hollywoodroosevelt.com/home.htm

YOu can also get decent pastries and coffee at either the Greenery, or Grand Central Coffee. and there is a Hamburger Hamelet right across from the Manns Chinese.. I am sort of addicted to one of their sandwiches.

My husband and I live less then a mile from this area. If you have further questions pelase let me know.
If nothing else, check out the website for the Roosevelt..

Welcome to L.A

Thyra: That was good advice. The only problem is that she posted that Hotel Roosevelt is already booked. Maybe you could help her with another suggestion in the area.

My advice would be to stay near Universal Studios, eat at City Walk and then take the metrorail to the tehaeter and back since the station is right across from the Pantages.

Thanks, xxx. Thyra was being so nice and helpful, I didn't know what to say.

We were in LA in May to see Lion King and stayed at Hilton Universal...took the metro from the hotel direct to the theater...it was located at the second stop from the hotel, worked out very well.

Staying in Universal city is a great idea.. the RT fare is 2.70 per person, however if Universal is booked, there is also:
Best Western on Highland, Holiday Inn on Highland,

Holiday Inn Express on La Brea or Magic Hotel on Franklin... these are all properties West of the Pantages... I wouldn't recommend any thing further East....

Universal is still is a great idea however. The link below will bring to you our Metro Underground web site for general information.

http://www.mta.net/laund/index.htmrsal

Adding to Thyra's excellent restaurant suggestions, there is also Musso and Frank Grill, oldest restaurant in Hollywood, serving no-nonsense food served by waiters who appear to have worked there since it opened. The grilled lamb chops ( or anything grilled) are great as our the salads ( seafood chiffonade is my favorite). It's busy, I don't think they take reservations. If you don't eat there at least go inside and see the beautiful mahogany bar. You might want to sip one of their "Best in LA" martinis. The other newer restaurant that serves American food with a French twist to it is exIncendo. It's right across the street from the Pantages. They do a huge pre-theatre business, and they do take reservations. I've had the roasted seabass and my husband had the rack of lamb. It's not that expensive either. As for hotels, Universal is not a bad location as you have great freeway access and can zip down the 101 to Hollywood easily. My sister lives in the hills around Universal and I live in the Los Feliz/Hollywood area so I do this a lot.Of course , the Metro is a great option also.

Enjoy,
Michele
PS Do go to the Roosevelt just to see it. City Walk has a lot of restaurants, but they are mostly chain ones. I don't care for the place AT ALL.

I want to thank all who responded to this inquirey. This is a great site. I have booked rooms at the Ramada West Hollywood, with a favorable Entertainment Card rate. Apparently 2 miles or so from the theater, can taxi or car, I guess. Thanks for the restaurant suggestions, especially this last one from Michele.
Sunday, the ladies in our group are looking forward to some shopping, I am sure we are in the right area. Thanks again, and if anyone has further comments or ideas, keep them coming. Our plans are very flexible.

BillJ, the best thing about the Ramada West Hollywood is that they have the newest of the Dupar's restaurants. It's an LA institution---you've got to go for a drop down dead breakfast. Come very hungry. The original one is in the Farmers Market.

Kam is right, and if you do go to Du-Pars... don't miss their brownies...with frosting... yum!