LA Hotel Recommendations
 

hey everyone,
before leaving on my honeymoon we're going to be in LA for a few days, and we want to stay somewhere pretty nice (maybe a b&b) and reasonably close to "stuff" (i.e. some sort of reasonably central location).

anyone have any good recommendations?

--turnipmonster

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

"Stuff" in L.A. is spread out all over town. The most popular tourist attractions are probably the Getty Museum just off the 405 freeway on the west side of town, the Huntington Library in a suburb of Pasadena, and Disneyland, south of L.A. in Orange County.

I'd advise staying on the west side of town. If money is no object, the Peninsula or Four Seasons are top drawer. You'll be reasonably close to the Getty, Beverly Hills shopping, a lot of great restaurants, and to the Farmer's Market and new Grove shopping center. Don't know much about B&B's in L.A.

Check out Fodors or Frommers on-line for info. on sights, etc.

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

Stay at The Standard on Sunset.

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

"i.e. some sort of reasonably central location"

As Andy pointed out, this location doesn't really exist here. Do you have a price range? There are lots of unreal places in Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, and such. There's no getting around the need for a car if you're going to be doing stuff. What things do you want to do?

-Michael

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

Yeah everything is spread out in L.A. so it depends on what you want to do and where you want to go. If Hollywood is big for you, you should stay closer to that. Or if you just wanna check out Disneyland, stay in Anaheim. If you stay in Downtown L.A. everything is about 15-20 minutes away, but far out places like Disneyland and Six Flags might take an hour or so depending on traffic. You also may need to rent a car because there isn't really a comprehensive subway system like New York. I've never rode the bus out here. There are taxis, but renting a car would probably be cheaper than that.

Sorry I can't offer help on a hotel. I live out here so I never have to stay in one, lol. But there's a lot of nice ones all over town.

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

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As Andy pointed out, this location doesn't really exist here. Do you have a price range?

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yeah I kind of figured that about the central location. I guess we need to rent a car as well. range is maybe around 400/night, depending on the place? I haven't thought too much about it, we're more interested in finding a cool place.

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

The Standard's sign is uside down, there's a live lady reading a book in a fish tank behind the check-in desk, Ryan McGuinness designed all the hotel signs and icons, the bar sells Old English 40's, and you'll be on the Sunset Strip for when you want to go party at night and stumble back to your room.

If I was from out of town and could afford it, I'd stay there.

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

Where's the honeymoon? Depending on how tropical or not, I would stay near the beach.

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

extremely tropical. but near the beach might be fun anyways, any recs?

I briefly lobbied for commerce but was voted down.

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

Casa del Mar (more formal) and Shutters (more casual) are both very nice hotels directly on the beach in Santa Monica (which is on the west side of town, about 25 minutes from Hollywood, 20 minutes from the Getty), that will probably run around $400 /night for a non-ocean front room. If you're not concerned about being close to anything in LA, the Ritz in Laguna Niguel (south of LA) is amazing, but a very long drive from LA.

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

this place sounds awesome!

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

anyone heard about/stayed at the Chateau Marmont?

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

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anyone heard about/stayed at the Chateau Marmont?

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Also a very cool hotel. Not far from the Standard and other clubs on Sunset. Very cool bar/restaurant inside the hotel called Bar Marmont.

Also, sfer's reccomendation of staying near the beach is good too. Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, or Malibu area hotels would be nice.

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

It'd definitely be an L.A. experience. Famous hotel on Sunset where, among other things, John Belushi died. I know one person who stayed there about five years ago and said it was fun.

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

The Standard is awesome. It can be loud though so if you want something nice and relaxing stay in Santa Monica. If you want other places around Sunset there's the Sunset Marquis or Chateau Marmont but I think they're much pricier. Go to the Beverly Hilton or Beverly Hills Hotel. They're nice too.

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

thanks for the advice, everyone.

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

The Regent Beverly Wilshire is right next to Rodeo Drive, which might occupy your wife long enough to allow you a trip to Commerce.

In Santa Monica, Shutters is the place.
Westside, the W in Westwood is nice.
In Hollywood, Chateau Marmont is very, very cool. Old Hollywood, and absolutely 100% guaranteed celebrity sightings if that's what you're into.
Only stay at The Standard if you want to do lots of trucker-hatted partying. If you want to stay on Sunset Strip, the Mondrian is very high end and has an amazing bar.

Re: LA Hotel Recommendations
 

Shutters in Santa Monica is fabulous and very much a honeymoon sort of place, but very pricey. Last time there, we stayed at the Georgian across from the beach. Two block walk to the Promenade. Short walks to a lot of restaurants, short drives to other great restaurants, shopping, etc.

It's an old fashioned, somewhat european style hotel. We had a small suite for far less than most places like Shutters, and they have a cool porch out front for drinks and sunsets. I would definitely stay there again.

OTOH, if you can afford Shutters, you will not be dissapointed. It is right on the beach and very nice.

My wife is a foodie, so if you want to drop some money on great restaurants, pm me with your email.