Santa Monica or Beverly Hills - West Hollywood?
Jul 19th, 2004, 11:15 AM
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Santa Monica or Beverly Hills - West Hollywood?
We will be in Los Angeles over Labor Day weekend, flying in late Friday night, Sept. 3 and flying out early Tuesday morning.
Not sure on where to stay. Thinking Santa Monica or possibly Beverly Hills or West Hollywood. We are actually coming for a wedding on Saturday and I'm not even sure where the wedding is exactly. However, I figured we'd have to rent a car anyway, so I thought we should stay where we want.
I definately want to enjoy the beach and park in Santa Monica so that is why I was thinking of this location first. I also want to do the Beverly Hills/Hollywood tourist attractions so would consider this location too. We don't have too much time so I would like to be in a really good location that is not too pricey. $150 a night would be great.
Any suggestions would be great! I've read many postings but thought I'd post our specifics. Thanks!
Not sure on where to stay. Thinking Santa Monica or possibly Beverly Hills or West Hollywood. We are actually coming for a wedding on Saturday and I'm not even sure where the wedding is exactly. However, I figured we'd have to rent a car anyway, so I thought we should stay where we want.
I definately want to enjoy the beach and park in Santa Monica so that is why I was thinking of this location first. I also want to do the Beverly Hills/Hollywood tourist attractions so would consider this location too. We don't have too much time so I would like to be in a really good location that is not too pricey. $150 a night would be great.
Any suggestions would be great! I've read many postings but thought I'd post our specifics. Thanks!
Jul 19th, 2004, 11:22 AM
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Santa Monica is definitely the place to stay, but be warned that some of the chain motels are located in desolate areas. Check out Cal Mar Hotel Suites, which is a converted apartment house in a residential neighborhood near the shopping district, ocean, and pier. Sea Shore Motel is another beautifully situated option.
Jul 19th, 2004, 01:14 PM
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I've been pestering the heck out of my boyfriend's family for the wedding details. I'll post as soon as I know.
Our flight out on Tuesday is at 6:30 a.m. If we leave the hotel by 4 a.m. should we be alright??
I've been checking hotel prices: Cal Mar Hotel Suites is $199 a night, $800 plus taxes for the four; Sea Shore Motel $159-179 a night plus taxes. However on Hotwire I found Loews for $944 for the four nights which includes a rental car and taxes. That seems great compared to the other two suggestions as far as cost, but I haven't read a lot of good reviews on the Hotel itself.
Our flight out on Tuesday is at 6:30 a.m. If we leave the hotel by 4 a.m. should we be alright??
I've been checking hotel prices: Cal Mar Hotel Suites is $199 a night, $800 plus taxes for the four; Sea Shore Motel $159-179 a night plus taxes. However on Hotwire I found Loews for $944 for the four nights which includes a rental car and taxes. That seems great compared to the other two suggestions as far as cost, but I haven't read a lot of good reviews on the Hotel itself.
Jul 19th, 2004, 01:23 PM
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For a 6:30 AM domestic US flight, you should give 90 minutes to check in and go through security (well, that's my experience at LAX), so leaving at 4 AM will get you there in plenty of time.
The Loews is by no means a bad hotel-- but it's quite anonymous and lacks style; for the money there are much better ones in the area. For sheer charm you can't beat the Georgian-- if it's not sold out. The Radisson Huntley is pretty good too. The Fairmont Miramar is a fave with my clients (I work down the street from it in Santa Monica), but it's very pricey.
But yeah, find out where the wedding is and then re-post. Who knows? There may be ideal lodging nearby...!
The Loews is by no means a bad hotel-- but it's quite anonymous and lacks style; for the money there are much better ones in the area. For sheer charm you can't beat the Georgian-- if it's not sold out. The Radisson Huntley is pretty good too. The Fairmont Miramar is a fave with my clients (I work down the street from it in Santa Monica), but it's very pricey.
But yeah, find out where the wedding is and then re-post. Who knows? There may be ideal lodging nearby...!
Jul 19th, 2004, 01:41 PM
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The wedding is in Santa Monica!!! That is where the bride is hoping everyone will stay so that is great! The Loews deal is sounding good too! I worry about waiting too long and not finding anything better and missing out on that offer.
Is anyone familiar with the priceline hotels. If I bid on a 5 star are there any hotels I would be disappointed with?
Is anyone familiar with the priceline hotels. If I bid on a 5 star are there any hotels I would be disappointed with?
Jul 19th, 2004, 03:06 PM
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I'm not sure there ARE any five star properties in the SM area working with Priceline. The Loews comes up in four star bids (according to biddingfortravel.com)-- and the Viceroy, which purports to be a "Brit-chic" hotel, is another four star hotel. I don't think you'd be unhappy with either property.
Casa del Mar would be the closest thing to a five star place, I suppose. Maybe the Miramar.... But I haven't heard of either place working with Priceline. Anyone else...?
Casa del Mar would be the closest thing to a five star place, I suppose. Maybe the Miramar.... But I haven't heard of either place working with Priceline. Anyone else...?
Jul 19th, 2004, 07:02 PM
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I'm looking at three different hotels. Please help to narrow it down or suggest another.
The Four Points Sheraton
The Raddison Huntley
The Georgian
My only hesitation on the Georgian is that it is said to be like "Miami Hotels" which I know by experience are very small. But if that hotel is in the best location of the three, then okay!
I'm also wondering if I should rent a car or if cabs are easy to get. I was thinking for the cost of cabs you can rent a car. We will spend most of our time in SM but I would like to venture to Beverly Hills and West Hollywood for a day. And of course back to the airport.
The Four Points Sheraton
The Raddison Huntley
The Georgian
My only hesitation on the Georgian is that it is said to be like "Miami Hotels" which I know by experience are very small. But if that hotel is in the best location of the three, then okay!
I'm also wondering if I should rent a car or if cabs are easy to get. I was thinking for the cost of cabs you can rent a car. We will spend most of our time in SM but I would like to venture to Beverly Hills and West Hollywood for a day. And of course back to the airport.
Jul 19th, 2004, 10:25 PM
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Avella,
given your budget of $ 150.- per night, I would recommend the following:
Take a closer look at the Georgian, which is a charming property and check, which rate you can get there (I would guess around $ 200.-).
Do the same with the Radisson Huntley.
Forget about the Four Points Sheraton, which if it is the property that I believe to remember, is a couple of blocks inland and does not play in the league of your other options. I will stand corrected in this case, though, should there be any experts here, with a more profound expertise on this one.
Then check, what you'd pay for a rental car, which I think is mandatory when visiting L.A. It just makes it so much easier to bridge the considerable distances and adds some addiditional comfort and flexibility. Plus, navigating L.A.'s streets turns out to be rather easy after a while.
After that, I would compare this with the package deal you can get for the Loews. While it is a bit anonymous, it certainly is not a bad hotel- just as rjw, who BTW is THE expert in that area here, told you. Its rooms are fairly large and the location right on the beach by the pier should not be neglected. Plus, it sports a pool in contrast to the Radisson and the Georgian, if that is of any importance for you. Thus, you might sacrifice some personality and charm, which you would find e.g. at the Georgian, with the Loews but on the other hand obtain a top-quality hotel in a great location.
Enjoy your planning
hsv
given your budget of $ 150.- per night, I would recommend the following:
Take a closer look at the Georgian, which is a charming property and check, which rate you can get there (I would guess around $ 200.-).
Do the same with the Radisson Huntley.
Forget about the Four Points Sheraton, which if it is the property that I believe to remember, is a couple of blocks inland and does not play in the league of your other options. I will stand corrected in this case, though, should there be any experts here, with a more profound expertise on this one.
Then check, what you'd pay for a rental car, which I think is mandatory when visiting L.A. It just makes it so much easier to bridge the considerable distances and adds some addiditional comfort and flexibility. Plus, navigating L.A.'s streets turns out to be rather easy after a while.
After that, I would compare this with the package deal you can get for the Loews. While it is a bit anonymous, it certainly is not a bad hotel- just as rjw, who BTW is THE expert in that area here, told you. Its rooms are fairly large and the location right on the beach by the pier should not be neglected. Plus, it sports a pool in contrast to the Radisson and the Georgian, if that is of any importance for you. Thus, you might sacrifice some personality and charm, which you would find e.g. at the Georgian, with the Loews but on the other hand obtain a top-quality hotel in a great location.
Enjoy your planning
hsv
Jul 20th, 2004, 07:01 AM
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hsv's advice is spot-on accurate. And since I live in southern CA (but not in Santa Monica-- I just work there), I can't say I'm a hotel expert, but I know where they are in the area of my office.
The Four Points Sheraton is actually about four blocks inland and a bit south of the "main drag" of downtown SM, but it's not a bad location and, as Four Points properties go, it's pretty nice.
The Huntley is at the northern end of the Third Street Promenade. Although it's a Radisson (a very mid-level hotel/motel chain, let's be honest), the Huntley has stayed at a pretty high level of comfort. It has a top-floor bar called Toppers that's great for cocktails (but give a pass on dinner-- especially with Michael's a block away).
The Georgian is "Miami-like" in that its architectural style is Hollywood Art Déco-- the building dates back to 1933 (originally named the Lady Windemere). At eight or so stories, it's actually one of the higher buildings on the SM oceanfront skyline (the city of SM has stringent height restrictions), so it's not tiny. It just underwent a facelift, and the rooms are updated regularly-- so I don't think you're slumming to stay there by any means. Check it out at:
http://www.georgianhotel.com/welcome.asp
And I've seen rates as low as $109 a night there.
The Loews? Look, it IS a four-star property with beach access. Anonymous? Sure. I've had clients grumble about less-than-stellar service ("I had to wait thirty minutes for a hair dryer-- why wasn't there one in the room?!" was a typical kvetch). But it's FOUR STAR. It'll be plenty comfy. The restaurant there is supposed to be good, and Capo is down the street-- one of the true hidden gems of southern CA Italian eateries (you practically need someone to walk you there, it's so discreetly located). If you can get it, go for it.
The Four Points Sheraton is actually about four blocks inland and a bit south of the "main drag" of downtown SM, but it's not a bad location and, as Four Points properties go, it's pretty nice.
The Huntley is at the northern end of the Third Street Promenade. Although it's a Radisson (a very mid-level hotel/motel chain, let's be honest), the Huntley has stayed at a pretty high level of comfort. It has a top-floor bar called Toppers that's great for cocktails (but give a pass on dinner-- especially with Michael's a block away).
The Georgian is "Miami-like" in that its architectural style is Hollywood Art Déco-- the building dates back to 1933 (originally named the Lady Windemere). At eight or so stories, it's actually one of the higher buildings on the SM oceanfront skyline (the city of SM has stringent height restrictions), so it's not tiny. It just underwent a facelift, and the rooms are updated regularly-- so I don't think you're slumming to stay there by any means. Check it out at:
http://www.georgianhotel.com/welcome.asp
And I've seen rates as low as $109 a night there.
The Loews? Look, it IS a four-star property with beach access. Anonymous? Sure. I've had clients grumble about less-than-stellar service ("I had to wait thirty minutes for a hair dryer-- why wasn't there one in the room?!" was a typical kvetch). But it's FOUR STAR. It'll be plenty comfy. The restaurant there is supposed to be good, and Capo is down the street-- one of the true hidden gems of southern CA Italian eateries (you practically need someone to walk you there, it's so discreetly located). If you can get it, go for it.
Jul 20th, 2004, 07:20 AM
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Yeah, I'd go for Loews I think. $90 of that $944 is tax, so that brings it down to $854. $150 is about what you'd pay for the rental car for 4 days with taxes, so that brings the price of 4 nights at Loews down to $700, which is about $630 plus tax or $150 per night. I'd imagine you won't get the most deluxe room in the hotel at that price...but the beach access will be nice to have that weekend, no worries about finding a parking place near the beach etc.
Jul 21st, 2004, 09:40 PM
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Thanks for all the great advice, it sure does help. I booked a room at the Georgian for $192 a night for now. It is their Bed and Breakfast special and includes breakfast of course and free parking. We still have to rent a car. I just wanted to have that to fall back on.
Whe I quoted $150 a night, that didn't include taxes or fees.
Which properties are closest to the pier and other attractions? I know we will want to check everything out, and too lay on the beach a while. So right now I'm thinking about location.
Thanks again for all your help! It's priceless!
Whe I quoted $150 a night, that didn't include taxes or fees.
Which properties are closest to the pier and other attractions? I know we will want to check everything out, and too lay on the beach a while. So right now I'm thinking about location.
Thanks again for all your help! It's priceless!
Jul 21st, 2004, 09:50 PM
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The Georgian is a block north of the SM Pier and two blocks west of the Third Street Promenade. The Loews is a block south of the Pier and two blocks southwest of the Promenade (which ends at Broadway, at Santa Monica Place-- typical shopping mall). Any of the hotels you were looking at are within two or three blocks of that part of Santa Monica.
Jul 21st, 2004, 09:57 PM
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avella,
closest to the beach AND the Pier in Santa Monica is Shutters on the Beach, which I understand is not an option for you.
A close second is the Loews, which is basically next to the Pier and almost directly on the beach, too. There is a tiny street with hardly any traffic that separates it, if I remember correctly.
The Georgian is not far from the beach, either, but it is across PCH and some steps from the Pier.
closest to the beach AND the Pier in Santa Monica is Shutters on the Beach, which I understand is not an option for you.
A close second is the Loews, which is basically next to the Pier and almost directly on the beach, too. There is a tiny street with hardly any traffic that separates it, if I remember correctly.
The Georgian is not far from the beach, either, but it is across PCH and some steps from the Pier.
