My 17 year old Goddaughter and I will be traveling to LA from SF for 3-4 days between the end of June and middle of July (we haven't made firm dates yet, as we are driving not flying) I'm on disability and have a very limited income, but I'm trying to find a nice hotel, (ie: clean and safe) in an area that will have fun things for my Goddaughter to do if I'm not feeling well and she wants to go out on her own for a bit. I came across the "Ambrose" hotel in Santa Monica. It looks pretty nice, but bordering on pinching my budget. Has anyone stayed there? Any thoughts on the hotel? What about the location? Also, does anyone have any other suggestions for hotels? We will be doing the typical LA tourist things, Venice beach, Walk of Fame, Walking Rodeo Drive and Melrose, Bus tour of stars homes, etc. If anyone has thoughts about hotel location, that would be appreciated too. Thanks in advance!!!
Andiamo

The Ambrose is a nice hotel, no question. Given your suggested budget limitations, it would probably be a good choice for you, as long as you have a car and are willing to drive everywhere. And I mean everywhere.

The Ambrose is located in a mixed residential/commercial part of Santa Monica, twenty long blocks from the beach and across the street from St. John's Hospital. There is nothing particularly wonderful within walking distance, but if you don't mind a little public transport, buses run up and down Santa Monica Blvd. and Wilshire Blvd. to take you to downtown Santa Monica, where the Pier, the Third Street Promenade, etc. all are.

I consider the Ambrose quite cost-effective for Santa Monica, which is a very expensive tourist town. Anything at the $100 a night rate will be a complete dump, frankly.

In Santa Monica, the Georgian used to be a real deal, but it's gotten really popular, so rates have shot up. The Shangri-La is overdue for a renovation, and it's getting tired, but it's clean and relatively cheap and across the street from the ocean (well, and up a bluff). Could you use Priceline and bid on a three- or four-star in Beverly Hills? That's MUCH more centrally-located to the touristy stuff you want to do.

Just so you know: Those bus tours of the "stars' homes" troll through the streets of Beverly Hills and point out houses that stars used to own. And the roofs of places like Aaron Spelling's and David Geffen's compounds. A lot of the houses have been severely altered and are unrecognizable. They also change hands every two years or so (our real estate market is unreal), so Madonna's old place on Roxbury was sold to Diane Keaton as soon as Madge had the lavender planted in the front yard (and Diane pulled it within a week). No telling who owns what any more. Peter Falk still has his place on Roxbury, and that's about the only living "star" who still lives on those tours that I know for sure.

Thanks so much....great advice. I thought I read on the web site it was only 3 blocks from either the beach or the promenade.

Thanks also for the star tour advice. Now I'm confused, I heard from some fodorites that it would be a lot of fun.

If we don't stay in Santa Monica, do you have any suggestions of where we should stay?

Thanks for all of your great advice! I really appreciate it.
Andiamo

The Ambrose is two miles from the beach and the Promenade. Not a huge distance, but a bit of a hike. But you pass by lovely auto dealerships, 7-11s and take-out Japanese rice bowl joints.

The tours can be a lot of fun IF they take if stuff beyond simply the "stars' homes". There's a more gruesomely fun outfit called Dearly Departed Tours that takes you through the worst scandals of LA's sordid history-- could be fun!

As to location, my parents live on 12th street, between Santa Monica Blvd & Wilshire. When we go out to visit them, we may walk over to Wilshire for a restaurant or 2, but for the other Santa Monica stuff, 3rd st beach, pier, etc, we always drive. It is convenient to Santa Monica freeway (I-10), driving up Wilshire, or over to Venice, or going over to PCH for a drive up to Malibu.

Check out the Cal Mar Hotel Suites in Santa Monica. You have a full kitchen, living room and bedroom, nice pool in the courtyard. They are a block from the third street promenade and about 4 or 5 blocks from the pier. They also offer free parking. There is no air conditioning. We stayed there in April and loved them- comfortable, clean but not fancy. The office people are very nice.

Patrick,
Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely check it out! I appreciate your advice.

Andiamo