Los Angeles Area - Where to stay
 

Hi. We will be staying in Los Angeles for 2 nights in October before we head off for our honeymoon.

We're from NY and I'm not sure where we should stay. I've been to California several times, but we'd like to stay in a nice area, nice hotel that's convenient to some of the sights in and around LA. Also looking for suggestions on things to see and do.

Since we're going to be relaxing for 10 days on the Cook Islands, we figured we'd do the touristy things in LA for 2 days since my Fiance has never been there.

We're looking to spend about $200-250/night for a hotel since we're probably going to be out and about a lot, otherwise, we'd probably go for something more luxurious.

Any suggestions and tips are appreciated. Thanks so much!!

L.A. is so vast that if you only have two days, best to decide exactly what you want to see and do and then choose a well-located hotel.

Universal Tour or Warner Brothers?
The Tonight Show or TV game show?
The Getty Art Center?
The Zoo?
Museum of Natural History?
La Brea Tar Pits?
Hollywood Walk of Fame?
Beaches? Funky or surfing?
Garment District shopping?
Rodeo Drive shopping?
Greystone Mansion/ Star's Homes?
Music Clubs? Comedy Clubs? Opera?
Fine Dining or Famous Tacos?

hotel in Santa Monica with a rental a car would be my pick

I agree that Santa Monica is a good choice as it has shopping, strolling the beach and good restaurants along the PCH going for it and its relatively close to the airport.

I would only choose Santa Monica if it really offers what you want to experience out of the area. I agree w/what tracy2cents said - choose what you want to do and then get a well-located hotel from that choice. LA area is very spread out and it would not make the best sense to be staying in Santa Monica if what you really want to do is go to Universal and City Walk, or go to the Getty, etc. Plus, I think you will be hard pressed to find a hotel fit for a honeymoon in Santa Monica for $200-250 a night. I have never stayed in Santa Monica for that (and I have stayed in SM several times a year for a week or more at a time for last 15 yrs., so have stayed in many places). Maybe you could have gotten the Four Points for that, but it is a Sheraton now and out of that price range. Some on this forum have recently suggested Princeline for SM hotels- maybe that would work for your budget in SM. But with only 2 days in the LA area, and going to the Islands after that, maybe instead of focusing on the beach in LA area you would be better doing the things there that interest you instead of the beach, and staying closer to those places.

It seems to me that you need to decide what you want to do in and around LA for 2 days, and plan from there.

That said, if you are willing to drive you could stay in Santa Monica and see other places you decide to focus on. But you'll need to be comfortable w/driving, maybe a long way, getting used to the freeways, and dealing w/rush hours if you are driving during the week.

Hi - Thanks for your responses. Some of the things we are looking to do are Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood Sign, Rodeo Drive, Chinatown (maybe), Stars Homes. We don't have much interest in going to Universal or Disney (we just did that this past April in Florida).

As for driving, I've been to California three times, and have driven each time I was there. Plus, I'm from NY - go to NYC often and am a fairly good "city" driver. I know how bad the traffic is in LA so that's not going to be a shock. We're definitely going to be getting a rental.

After reading the posts, I think we might not go with staying in SM. Ok, back to the drawing board to figure out what area to stay in.

Thanks for the advice!

If not SM, then maybe you might try the Renaissance in Hollywood, go to this link and click on "stay"
hollywoodandhighland.com

I saw a good rate on Travelocity for the old Holiday Inn near the Getty. It appears to to have reopened as "Hotel Angeleno". Joie de Vivre usually does a good job. I think if you have a car, that would be a nicer choice than the Hollywood Renaissance.