Stash is a group of independent hotels in the USA. I am a member and just received their latest sale. It includes some good prices on several hotels. A few I thought were good were 40 percent off a property in Sooke Harbour on Vancouver Island and 30 percent off Hotel Andra in Seattle. Other hotels were less money off, so I'm not sure it beats the online search engines, for example 25 percent off Hotel Kinzie in Chicago.

I've seen 2-3 requests lately on this board for inexpensive lodgings in Los Angeles. And I've been thinking of going back to California this summer as well, although I was leaning more toward San Diego.

I noticed that through the 15th, Stash is running a sale on the Hotel Normandie in Koreatown. It looks nice, but I haven't been in that neighborhood in forever. Anyway, it might be an option, but I'm hesitant to recommend it because I just don't know that area. On Normandie (of course); cross street is Wilshire.

What are people's thoughts on the location?

https://www.stashrewards.com/hotel/l...ormandie#rooms

I don't know anything about that hotel but Koreatown is a pretty good central location for what a lot of tourists want to do (Hollywood, Universal, downtown, Pasadena), and it is cheaper than many other areas. It's fine. You'll have to decide on the hotel.

It wouldn't be my first choice location unless I had tickets for the Wiltern. I find Koreatown central to L.A. in general and close to nothing specific for the typical tourist. What sorts of things would be on your sightseeing list?

It's unfortunate that Google's streetview of the hotel shows a homeless person sleeping on the sidewalk across the street, but sad that you could encounter that scene in so many places in L.A. Nevertheless, I probably wouldn't walk in the area at night.

Reviews comment on the expensive O/N parking, but hey welcome to the big city. The hotel is close to the Red and Purple Metro lines, so you might be able to do some sightseeing my train. Also, there is very good bus service on Wilshire Blvd.

BTW, the hotel is at the corner of Normandie Avenue and 6th Street, not Wilshire Blvd.

I agree with Jean: "I find Koreatown central to L.A. in general and close to nothing specific for the typical tourist."

If the OP knows LA and isn't bothered by that location, then I guess it's fine. Personally, I know LA, but I'd choose another area where I can walk and have things close by.

But I can't help much because we usually stay near Marina del Rey. We like the Pacifica Hotel properties there: Inn at Venice Beach, The Kinney, Jamaica Bay Inn.

The only other hotel we know and like is Elan Hotel in West Hollywood, https://www.elanhotel.com. It's more than $200, but it includes a decent Continental breakfast and a generous wine/cheese reception every evening. There's also fruit & yoghurt always available in a mini-fridge in the lobby.

Well, there were two questions really... we keep seeing people wanting a hotel in Los Angeles that's inexpensive. On another thread the poster is staying by the train station and it looks a little sketch. Pricepoint was really important to her. It sounds like this area isn't any better from Jean's comments.

But the second question is more about my own family...I have college age kids, who enjoy a vacation where part of the time they can go off on their own. They like more urban areas and taking mass transit. Pop-ups, food carts, or newer small restaurants. I've seen Koreatown mentioned in a couple of articles as up and coming, and realized I really know very little about it, although I'm sure I drove through the area. And yes I realize that it is on the block between Wilshire and 6th, closer to 6th. I absolutely noticed the Metro station at Normandie and Wilshire. That was part of the attraction. But it sounds like this is not safe so I will let it go for now and think on it.

(And I also like Marina del Rey, so I will also definitely save those property names).

5alive, what's nice about the Marina del Rey area (besides that it's close to where our son attended college), is that you can walk/bike/scooter to Santa Monica and back, on the oceanfront path. Your college age 'kids' might enjoy having the freedom to explore that area on their own. Venice Beach has its pros & cons, and has become a tech start-up mecca, which has changed it a bit. You're also close to the Abbott Kinney area, which college age kids would love.

If you're looking for a room for the four of you, the Inn at Venice Beach has a loft room which gives you an upstairs queen bed w/TV, and a downstairs queen sofa sleeper in the main room with a TV. There might be extra room for a roll-away bed, but I'm not sure. There's definitely space on the floor, for one person to sleep, if your two kids can't share the sofa bed. There's an inner courtyard at the hotel, good parking that's relatively inexpensive, and a decent Continental breakfast included. It's about two blocks from the Venice pier. Lots of shops and restaurants close by. (C&O Trattoria was always our go-to place when treating a number of college kids.)

I would still be interested in knowing what your sightseeing plans are. MDR is nice enough, but it's not close to lots of things people come to L.A. to see/do, esp. in summer. Obviously, it's close to places on the Westside, like the Santa Monica Pier, South Bay beach towns, Getty Center/Villa, the Forum, but it's quite a drive from Universal Studios, the Observatory, Dodger Stadium, the Hollywood Bowl, Chinese Theater... If you'd be in L.A. over a summer weekend, traffic in all of the coastal towns gets a little crazier than usual.

Personally, I'd the Santa Monica Pier and go to the nearby Getty Villa ... free (except for $15 parking). You do need to get timed entry online. Wonderful exhibits and a killer view on a nice day. Beats Whack-a-Mole in my mind. If you stay in Koreatown, hit my favorite L.A. Mexican restaurant ... Guelaguetza. Killer Mole (not whack-a-Mole).

https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/22459-2/

Hi, all, I've been a little buried with life. To clarify, I lived in Los Angeles area after college (and I moved twice, so three places). I also drove a lot for one of my jobs. I know the basic layout. But what I don't know is when neighborhoods have changed. What is now trendy and what is not. Doing a little basic internet reading, it appeared Koreatown was now trendy. That's how this sort of started.

Jean, your question is a good one. I'm trying to figure out a trip in southern California including some (if not all) of my college-age kids. And we're at the mercy of when their summer jobs allow them to join us (or if at all). Also we have some friends to see, so I will be juggling that.

We've taken them several times over the years to both Los Angeles and Orange County. But we've never taken them to San Diego, only Carlsbad. So we'd be interested in starting there and probably doing beach time there, maybe seeing a mission, the Midway aircraft carrier, and the old town.

If we have a long enough trip, I know they would want to go to Six Flags. And maybe Universal. I'd like to take them to Olvera Street, if that's stil a thing. Wander around the downtown. I think at least two of my kids would absolutely love the car museum (Petersen's?) that is near/on Wilshire. Great scenery. I would like to take them to a movie, at one of the theatres with really good sound, tech stuff that Los Angeles does so well. We used to love that. If we could get into a taping of a live show, maybe. Our youngest is now 18 (yay!) so I think we have more options there. They might want to see a bit of Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

I'm not sure I'd want to stay at Santa Monica unless I got a great deal. Two of my three kids have spent several hours there on a school trip. It's not new to them. But Marina del Rey and Culver City can be pretty quiet and sometimes the hotel prices are good.

I was thinking actually Pasadena at the end of a long day at Six Flags would be a good option. Does anyone know if Pasadena still allows short-stay rentals (airbnb, etc)? I also did a lot of the sights in Pasadena in the past and wouldn't mind seeing them again.

Thank you for the restaurant idea. I've checked out your website over the years and I know you have a lot of great restaurant recs. If this trip comes into being this year, I will be checking it out further and asking your advice.

I would really like to see the Getty. I did many museums in the Southland, but the Getty was in the process of moving and it sounded really kinda confusing and a pain, so I just never went. Thanks for the reminder that the admission is free. If the kids don't want to stay as long, how hard is mass transit, if they leave sooner?

"If the kids don't want to stay as long, how hard is mass transit, if they leave sooner?"

Here's the Getty website with directions. Uber might be your best choice if without a car. The driver can drive up the hill and deposit you at the entrance.

Parking and Transportation | Visit the Getty | The Getty

If you stay in Carlsbad, here is the nearest Mission ... a good one.
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/mis...ey-de-francia/

The photo below is from that mission. Quick story ... Amtrak contacted me to use it in some of their information pieces. In true Tom tradition, I got photo credit and no money

Thanks, Tom. I am aware of your reviews of the missions. I will be checking them out if I make it. I've actually sent others to your website.

And great photo! Too bad you didn't get a credit toward your next Amtrak ride. Or a free hat or something. Sort of like when Fodor's used to quote us and we got a free book.

" Sort of like when Fodor's used to quote us and we got a free book."

Ah, the good old days