Hey guys,

This is my first post. I am travelling to Los Angeles for the first time with a friend. We are both females and in our mid 20s. I have researched everywhere for some information on this motel on Sunset Blvd and I can't find anything. There are no reviews or comments on any websites that I have searched.
We originally booked 6 nights at the Economy Inn but cancelled that when we found out it was in a bad area of town.
We then booked the Saharan cause I had heard that a general rule of thumb was to stay west of the 101. Just need a simple place to stay nothing too fancy.
I guess my question is: how seedy of an area is this? I don't expect to be 100% safe anywhere but any information would be helpful.

To answer your question:

It's a VERY seedy part of town.

Immediately look farther west.

I'm guessing you're from outside the US, because as a general rule in almost any major city here, MOST hotels that end in "Motor Inn" are usually dive dumps or hourly motels in bad areas off highways. There are exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, this is how it is.

Hi, missjanna! I was thinking the same thing, actually. But not all "motels" or "motor inns" are nasty. It really depends on the neighborhood and the money the owners are willing to spend to make the places nice.

angeldust, how did you select this place? My recommendation is this: Name your upper limit on room cost and tell us what you're interested in doing once you're in LA. Are you renting a car? Given the size of the town, this is basically required. With six nights, you should be ready and willing to explore the whole area-- and that means RENT A CAR. If you're planning champagne digs on Bud Light budget, you'll probably end up staying in the LAX area. Safe, cheap, nice hotels-- but you'll be driving everywhere.

Thanks for responding. I picked it out of a website. It states that there is 24 hr security and we want to stay near Sunset for the nightlife and so forth. We are going to have a rental car because we are coming from Las Vegas and then driving to SF from LA. I'm just worried that it might not be safe. We've already booked this place.
I find it a little wierd that there are no reviews for it though and it seems as though not many people have heard of it.

I can only conjecture that the hotel's location is so seedy that it doesn't get much tourist trade. The Renaissance Hollywood is only a few blocks away but in a MUCH more desirable location-- and is very nice as well. Even the Hollywood Roosevelt would be better. However, if you're stuck there, you might as well make the best of it-- and make friends with the security guards in the parking lot and at the lobby.

Hi I posted a reply on your other post but I wanted to let you know that there is no nightlife on this section of Sunset. I think there might be a Ross store and an In n Out burger but that's about it. You need to go West Hollywood for what you are probably looking for.
You might try the Grafton on Sunset or the Best Western on Sunset. Both are right in the middle of it all and you can get pretty good deals at both places. Trust me it will be well worth the $. The amount of $ you'd be paying on parking or cabs from the Saharan to the Strip will probably cost the same. Another place to try is the Hollywood Roosevelt, it's not close to the Strip but it's full of Hollywood history and it has a great pool.

angel:

Don't be so sure you won't be able to cancel . . .

A couple of years ago, I booked a "cheapie" weekend in South Beach through American Express Travel. The place they had me booked into was essentially a rest home w/rooms for rent! And, it was the kind of rest home that I expect to see soon on Dateline or 60 Minutes -- very sad . . . Needless to say, I was NOT going to stay there. I called American Express (who was no help), and then just asked the front desk clerk to let me out of my reservation. He did, and I quickly found other accommodations. If you get there & decide the place is not for you, just do what I did . . . the worst they'll say is no. BTW, ask for a room near the office. anytime you're travelling alone or w/other female friends.

IMO, you can and should NOT have to stay (or pay for) anywhere where you feel your safety is compromised. I was prepared to duke it out w/American Express over my experience, & I suggest you take the same attitude. Agree w/rjw . . . Hollywood is still pretty sketchy overall, despite the attempted revitalization.

I'd try the Comfort Inn on Santa Monica Bl. in Santa Monica. Although I haven't stayed there in a while, it used to be my old standby when I needed just a room for the night w/o all of the "frills." You'll definitely have to drive into Hollywood, but If I were you, I'd rather stay somewhere where I don't feel like I'm taking my life in my hands.

It sounds like you're not a very experienced traveller . . . If so, I'd recommend you use a travel agent a few times until you start to feel that you know more about travelling. It could prevent you from making potentially costly mistakes in the future, and I think in your situation, it's worth the extra few bucks to do it.

Thanks guys. Thats very useful to know that we are not even going to be around any of the bars. So did we also make a good choice cancelling at the Economy Inn?
I'm from Canada and here Motels and Hotels are pretty much the same thing other than the layout. So that's useful to know for the future.
I'll let my friend in on some of this. I know that she is getting pretty annoyed with the whole changing of plans. But in my opinion it would be better to do it now before we go rather then have to do it in the middle of our vacation.

angeldust: If you search on Los Angeles on this forum, you'll find a lot of threads started by people in your situation: Visitors from out of the area who have absolutely no concept of the vast size of the LA metro area-- or of the wide swings from snazzy to scuzzy that you can get within a few blocks. You find a lot of people shocked that Disneyland isn't a short walk from Beverly Hills (it's way down in another county-- about 35 miles southeast). And others are stunned to find out Hollywood isn't all glitz and glamour, teeming with hot young celebrities; it's grit and grime, chock-full of head shops, tattoo parlors and $20 hookers. But it's getting better. Slowly. Still, this particular hotel proudly features bulletproof window shields. You are warned.

Are you driving from Las Vegas? Gawd, I hope not. Most boring drive I know, FYI.

I've never seen the Economy Inn but you probably made the right choice. I checked the Grafton on Sunset , I don't know your travel dates but they have a rate of $109. They are located next door to the House of Blues and the Balboa restaurant is on sight. The bar at the Balboa has become real popular. It's a nice place w/ great atmospher. If you stay there you just have to walk out your door to be in the middle of the whole West Hollywood scene. There is NOTHING glamorous about the Saharan location. Trust me your friend will be much happier changing plans now.

Hi Angeldust,
Just out of curiosity, do you know what clubs you and your friend want to go to? Sunset is loaded with many, but some of them are still difficult to gain entry into. There's always the bouncer with the proverbial list attached to that darn clipboard. I'm not trying to dampen your spirits, honestly, I just want you and your friend to come prepared and have a great time. The Viper Room is sometimes impossible to get into and other times it seems too easy. Sky Bar in the Mondrian is still popular and Balboa in the Grafton is a hot spot. Sometimes its best to go early or during the week unless you know someone or you are drop dead gorgeous with a killer body in clothes to match. Please try and get another hotel in a better area.

And to add to Merrilee's onservations: SkyBar is one of the hardest clubs to get into, historically. Priority is given to guests of the Mondrian and to A-list celebrities (you're featured in "People" or you have a green-lighted project detailed in "Variety"); otherwise, you have to get on The List. Good luck. The bar at the Standard on Sunset used to be part of The Scene-- may still be. The "Sex and the City" girls stayed at that hotel during their LA trip, if that matters.

If you want to get an up-to-date listing of LA-area clubs, check out:

www.laweekly.com

Thanks so much for all of your help. We have officially cancelled our stay at the Saharan. I laughed out loud about the bullet proof windows though. That's pretty hilarious. LA is definitely going to be an experience and I can't wait.
Thanks for all of your hotel suggestions I am going to look into them right away and hopefully we can find something better that suits our needs.
Who would have thought it would be this hard? Two cancellations so far, hopefully we won't have to make anymore.

If you stay at the Grafton sometimes thet can get you into the Foundation room at the House of Blues, it's their version of a VIP room. My favorite bar on Sunset though is at the Chateau Marmont, you don't have to be "anyone" to get in but you have to know were to find it. Look for a white gate in the fence that runs along Sunset.

www.bananabungalow.com

Viamar is giving you some really good advice - stay in West Hollywood on or near the Sunset Strip.

In addition to his/her suggestions there is also the Standard, The Hyatt (both have reputations as loud party places though), Somerset Suites, Ramada, Bel Age

Okay, I think we might stay at the Grafton or the Roosevelt for a few nights and then move to the Beverly Terrace in Beverly Hills. Do you think that these hotels would be a better choice? What about the Quality Inn Burbank? Also have you guys heard of the Magic Castle Hotel in Hollywood? Any opinions or comments would be appreciated.

The Magic Castle hotel is good, in a decent part of Hollywood above Hollywood Blvd, and very close to the Renaissance. You can nip around the corner for drinks at Yamashiro with the best views of the town at night.

It is not close to the strip (perhaps 3 miles away), and we prefer the bars and clubs on the Strip, which is not in Hollywood, but rather West Hollywood.

I would stay far west of the 101, more like west of La Brea and north of Wilshire, but there are still cheezy parts even then. Take the others' advice and stay by the strip. It's more lively and safe.

Magic Castle is a good choice, but you would need to drive to the nightlife, so if you drink that wouldn't be so good. DEFINITELY not the Quality Inn Burbank, that's almost as bad as the Saharan. If you're on a tight budget try the Holiday Lodge on Riverside in Burbank. If you're budget is not-so-tight your best best is sunsetplazahotel, sometimes you can get a good rate there with expedia.com or roomsavers.com