Los Angeles - Area/Hotel Suggestions?

[calf]

I'm heading to LA in late-May, and have done a bunch of research on areas to stay in LA and whatnot, but am hoping that there are some good suggestions on areas to stay.

We're doing 4 nights and are going to try and see a show-taping or two, hit up the Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive for a couple days, Venice Beach for another. What would be the best area to stay? Do you have any hotel suggestions (looking for a 3 star, up to $130-140 per night)?

We are also hoping to avoid renting a car if at all possible (but will do so if caught in a bind) - are cabs/shuttles generally a good way to go to get to what we are hitting up? Or should we just bite the bullet and rent one?

Thanks CP!

[HotHotHeat]

I stayed at Le Montrose Hotel in West Hollywood while I was there. Great location just between Sunset Blvd. and Santa Monica Blvd. Paid $129.99 + taxes / per night, with the 4th night free.

www.lemontrose.com

[krazycanuck]

Public transportation in LA is a pain in the butt, unless where you're going to and from is right on a Subway line. The good news is car rentals in LA are about as cheap as you can get. I'd HIGHLY recommend renting a car to get where you need/want to go easily. Try booking through priceline to save a few bucks if you go that route.

[steve954]

I'm heading to LA as well in a couple months.
I have no clue what's there to check out so please feel free to dump any ideas in this thread.

[Eric Vail]

If you want to see things while you are there, you need to rent a car. As was said, public transit is awful in L.A.. The place is also a sprawling massive city, and cabbing would be far more money than renting a car.

As far as places to stay, Santa Monica is my favourite. It is right on the beach with the Santa Monica Pier right there. From Santa Monica, you can walk down to Venice Beach or rent a bike and ride along the beach. Santa Monica is a beautiful and relatively safe neighborhood. I've heard that Venice Beach can be very sketchy at night. If you are around on a Sunday, head down to Venice Beach an hour or two before Sunset and you can take part in this crazy drumming that goes on by hundreds of people prior to sunset.

I don't have a specific hotel in mind for Santa Monica. They do have a hostel, I believe. They also have lots of hotels, so I am sure you could find something.

One last perk about Santa Monica - it is very close to LAX.

[getbak]

Other than Kimmel and Leno, there probably won't be any tapings going on in late May. That's when most shows are on their summer break.

[Table 5]

Don't even think about not having a car in Los Angeles. It would be like going to the Sahara and declining to bring water.

[username]

Last time I was there I stayed at the Roosevelt on Hollywood Blvd. The location is perfect (right across the street from the Chinese theater), the hotel is amazing however the price is a little higher than what you're looking for.

Something to consider anyway.....

[troutman]

Something a little different - consider Pasadena - lovely little downtown, and close to the Metro to LAX, Downtown LA or Hollywood. Close to Burbank.

Could be quite hot there in May compared to the beaches, and the Metro trains may not run as late as you need them to.

[csnarpy]

I'm leaving for LA on Saturday (for the first time) and after our cruise we are staying at the Hotel Maya, in Long Beach, for 4 days. It has some pretty good reviews. I'll post an update when we get back.

http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/losangeles/maya

These boutique hotels seem pretty good from what i have read but i guess you don't really know till you get there.


As for renting a car, seriously get one. Do you have a costco card? If so then go to Costco.com and go to the travel section. Pick Alamo as an agency and get mass discounts. Over the 4 day span we are renting, it seriously cost us 129.00 (all in) for an SUV. (oh and fyi, everytime I rent a vehicle this way through Alamo, i just go to the Kiosk to sign in and never have to provide a membership card - so really you don't need to be a member either)