We are flying from Michigan to LAX, spending the night, and then flying to Hawaii. We will be doing the same thing on our flight home. Does anyone have a suggestion on a nice hotel near LAX. Is it a good idea to use Priceline or Hotwire? Any recommendations on hotels that are close by and clean would be greatly recommended. I prefer nice hotels like Hyatts, Sheratons, Marriots or better.
Thanks!

How about the RitzCarlton at nearby Marina del Rey? There's also a nice Doubletree there that we used for a night on our way to Asia. From there we also stretched our legs by walking to Venice beach, and had a wonderful dinner at Cafe del Rey.

The Courtyard by Marriott in Marina del Rey is fine if the Ritz doesn't fit the bill. I believe they have free airport transportation.

Or go south to Manhattan Beach: Bela Mar Hotel (brand new, hip and trendy), Marriott (old reliable). Both are within walking distance to movies, restaurants and shopping.

Does Courtyard or Doubletree allow 5 people in a room? Thanks!

Five to a room is unadvisable in ANY typical hotel room, unless it's a suite with two (or 1 3/4) baths. There's a pretty nice Crowne Plaza right on Century in the immediate LAX area that is quite reasonably priced even at rack rate; I also think it participates in Priceline bids (see biddingfortravel.com to confirm). Get two rooms there.

Oh yeah-- there's also at least one Embassy Suites facility in the LAX area.

My preference would be the more upmarket hotels in Marina del Rey-- you have more, and better, dining options for one thing (Joe's Restaurant in Venice Beach is a short cab ride away, as is Café Amuse). There's a Marriott on Admiralty Way, across the street from the Best Western Jamaica Bay Inn-- one of the nicer BW properties in the LA area. I don't like the location of the Courtyard property-- right off the 90 freeway at Lincoln Blvd. It's not unsafe, it's just a little unattractive. The R-C is lovely, and its restaurant, jer-ne, is supposed to be excellent.

8 of us stayed at the Howard Johnson at LAX, and we don't recommend that one. We stayed on a non-smoking floor but it reeked of smoke. The rooms were small and kind of gross. So don't stay at the Howard Johnson!

I have used Priceline to book rooms near LAX and always had very good hotels with excellent rates...The Sheraton for $45 a night, cant't beat that. Also the Crowne Plaza for $52 a night. I would definetely use Priceline, you can't go wrong if your dates are definite and if you are only spending one night.

Manhattan Beach Marriot has a 5 person maximum per room. There is also a Residence Inn by Marriott in Manhattan Beach with roomy apt/suites.

The Four Points(Sheraton) at LAX is where we have stayed in the past & also staying again for a couple nights this June. It may not be as fancy as some of the other hotels, but it is very close to LAX, & has a shuttle similar to most hotels in that area. Also, it is not quite as expensive as some of the fancier hotels, & I imagine you will be spending alot of money in Hawaii & don't want to spend it on a night near LAX. we are getting a travel rate of $60-$65/night. & I think they allow a rollaway in the room if you need it for a 5th person. I have never used Priceline, but from this site, I have read that it cannot be quarenteed that you will have more than 1 bed in a room, let alone space for 5 people, from priceline.