Where to stay in Los Angeles

[kapitan]

Its time to plan for the year end holidays...... as I will be going to S America for a job in Dec, intend to fly through LAX and when job completed fly into LA, then get the family. For the first 2 days or so, intend to stay in the city, then 2-3 days at Disney Resort and then a couple of days more in the city, renting a car to get out, probably finding factory outlets for shopping.....

Where should I stay in the city for convenience of visitng LA and her sights?

[kapitan]

http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5092

http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11340

The above recommendations still valid?

[9V-JKL]

Most of the sights in LA are quite far apart so I dont think its necessary to stay in town.

For Disney, try the Howard Johnson; it comes highly recommended on Mousesavers. Disneyland is just across the road.

[Kyo]

Sheraton Anaheim was nice as we got the highest floor/closest view to Disney and could take photos without going in at night also, they were very pleasant, hotel's not so new though...

[egondo]

I would recommend JW Marriott at LA LIVE, located on the city center, and rooms modern

[StarG]

LA is a very big city, and it really depends on where most of your activities will be.
I like the Beverly Hilton, Hilton San Gabriel, Regent Beverly Wilshire for different purposes.
Hyatt Regency Century Plaza is also very well located (across the street from the best mall in LA IMHO - Century City Shopping Center) - but I was not happy with the cleanliness of the suite we stayed at last time.

[Kyo]

Just re-read the post that you're already staying in Disney Resort, so no point staying outside of it. I enjoyed the Beverly Hilton as well. The Beverly Hills Hotel is supposed to be very nice.

There's also an Andaz if you're around that area. LA's too big - you have to be specific with what you want to do. Shop? Eat? Look at people? Disney-related? Beach? Consider a day drive to San Francisco/Monterey/Carmel?

why aren't the Americans replying?

[kapitan]

Am not familiar with LA, so actually not decided what to do... but definitely will include going to Disneyland, which I intend to book a Disney hotel, which include entry tickets, which are not cheap if bought alone.

Other then that, likely to see the Hollywood sights, visit some studios, maybe Universal.... also likely to rent a car and drive out of LA...

[Kyo]

Definitely rent a car, try out the Hertz Prestige Collection

(and book those in advance)

[HUGE AL]

http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5092

http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11340

The above recommendations still valid?

Yes, and I STILL vote for a merge (with this one's title).

I would recommend JW Marriott at LA LIVE, located on the city center, and rooms modern

The crowd at the JW is kinda sketchy. If you MUST be Downtown, I'd vote for the RC there or the Sheraton on Hope. The Westin has been getting better reviews since the reno, but it's still dicey.

Hyatt Regency Century Plaza is also very well located (across the street from the best mall in LA IMHO - Century City Shopping Center) - but I was not happy with the cleanliness of the suite we stayed at last time.

Sad to hear this, StarG!

why aren't the Americans replying?

Some of us have been flying.

Am not familiar with LA, so actually not decided what to do... but definitely will include going to Disneyland, which I intend to book a Disney hotel, which include entry tickets, which are not cheap if bought alone.

Other then that, likely to see the Hollywood sights, visit some studios, maybe Universal.... also likely to rent a car and drive out of LA...

I do know Costco Vacations has really nice packages for the four hotels onsite. One has recently been FULLY remodeled.

Andaz will set you right in the middle of the action.

Definitely rent a car, try out the Hertz Prestige Collection

(and book those in advance)

I just love how pimpin' Kyo+ has become.

[MAN Flyer]

Andaz will set you right in the middle of the action.

Absolutely, and a great hotel as well.

[kapitan]

Ok, more or less settled for the first few days in/around LOs Angeles, self/alone will arrive on the first evening.... Will just stay at a Hilton chain hotel at LAX, next day will rent a car and drive out to DoubleTree by Hilton at Anaheim/Orange, not the one nearest to Disneyland..... Will stay here three nights alone before the wife and kid join me here, where we will spend three days going to Disney, Disney Adventureland and Knotts Berry Farm..... Then its off the Las Vegas..... Stay at Hilton on the strip.... Will spend abday driving to Grand Canyon and back..... Then two days of taking in the lights, shopping and casino in LV.... Then drive back to LA, 3 days in the city, likely going to Universal Studios for a day and romaing the city for a day of course driving out to the nearby sights.... last three days in LA will likely be booked into a Hilton property near Universal with points and cash......

Then its off to BKK for a few more days before heading home......

[MSPeconomist]

If you're going to have a car, I would suggest driving down the coast to San Diego. It's a nice smaller historic city with an awesome zoo. I also like La Jolla village near San Diego and its coastal walk. I don't know whether it still exists, but there was a traditional seafood restaurant built into the cliffs along the coast. From a window table, the view of the waves and surf is amazing.

Pasadena is also nice.

Is the Getty Art Museum on your list? CalTech's Jet Propulsion Lab (home of the mars rover vehicles and other cool high tech stuff for nerds)?

The Andaz is fun for the scene, but I also enjoy Santa Monica (you can stay at Shutters on the Beach, IIRC FHR, and walk or bike to the famous pier with amusement park rides or a Starwood property that's a renovated old resort hotel along the water) or Westwood (W Hotel, for instance).

[kapitan]

Thanks MSPeconomist,

My rough plans for LA-LV is like this,

Day 1 - Arriving LAX at 1010 am, stay at Double Tree at Anaheim Orange County
Day 2 - Disney Land
Day 3 - Disney Adventure Park
Day 4 - Knotts Berry Farm (optional, depends on mood)
Day 5 - Check out Anahiem, drive to Las Vegas, stay at Elara, a Hilton Grand Vacations Hotel-Center Strip
Day 6 - Free and Easy in Las Vegas
Day 7 - Grand Canyon?
Day 8 - Drive back to LA, check in Universal Hilton Universal City
Day 9 - Universal Studios
Day 10 - Free and Easy in LA
Day 11 - Depart LAX

[CarbonMan]

Thanks MSPeconomist,

My rough plans for LA-LV is like this,

Day 1 - Arriving LAX at 1010 am, stay at Double Tree at Anaheim Orange County
Day 2 - Disney Land
Day 3 - Disney Adventure Park
Day 4 - Knotts Berry Farm (optional, depends on mood)
Day 5 - Check out Anahiem, drive to Las Vegas, stay at Elara, a Hilton Grand Vacations Hotel-Center Strip
Day 6 - Free and Easy in Las Vegas
Day 7 - Grand Canyon?
Day 8 - Drive back to LA, check in Universal Hilton Universal City
Day 9 - Universal Studios
Day 10 - Free and Easy in LA
Day 11 - Depart LAX

Wow, that's alot of theme parks, Kapitan! Make sure you get the speedpasses for the most popular rides or pay premium for the VIP queues! The normal queues are very long and time consuming! Suggest that you stay late in Disneyland; the fireworks are quite spectacular.

Go to the Grand Canyon if you haven't done so. Recommend flying there - fast and scenic; but be aware that the plane ride is very bumpy - clear air turbulence, not for the air/sea-sick prone. For ex-sailors no problem.

There are premium outlets in Vegas if you're into that kind of shopping but these will consume at least half a day.

Enjoy!