Los Angeles - Where's best to stay

[vanurdi010310]

Has anyone got any ideas where is best to stay in LA? Pref by a beach so there seems to be a choice between Venice, Long, Manhattan ect

[Fireblade69]

I loved Santa Monica when I stayed there but that was a few years ago and you'll probably get shot or stabbed up there now. Long Beach was okay but not as nice.

Oh, and when I was there they were filming Baywatch and I met Gena Lee Nolin. Sadly, it was before internet home-made porn flick fame

[Grey Ghost]

This place is lovely and looked after me and Mrs Ghost in 2009

http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/santamonica...

Just back from Santa Monica beach and about a 5 minute walk to the pier. Excellent rooms, staff, restaurant and bar facilities where nothing was too much trouble.

If you are flying in to LAX organise your transfer via "Big Blue Bus" as they run regular routes out to Santa Monica and it is bucket loads cheaper than a taxi and you can book your places on line.

[jonott]

Grey Ghost said:

This place is lovely and looked after me and Mrs Ghost in 2009

http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/santamonica...

Just back from Santa Monica beach and about a 5 minute walk to the pier. Excellent rooms, staff, restaurant and bar facilities where nothing was too much trouble.

If you are flying in to LAX organise your transfer via "Big Blue Bus" as they run regular routes out to Santa Monica and it is bucket loads cheaper than a taxi and you can book your places on line.

We always stay at the quality inn and suites in Hermosa Beach, which is next to Manhattan Beach. Lots of good restaurants (especially Fritto Misto) and bars. Manhattan has a bit more upmarket feel to it.
Santa Monica is one of our favourite spots. It's pricier, and if you want to splurge there's some great hotels, Shutters on the Beach and Viceroy included. Never stayed at the Viceroy but eaten twice at the one in Palm Springs and can vouch that they are classy places.
Another nice place in Santa Monica is the Embassy Hotel Apartments. Highly recommended.

Also second using the Big Blue Bus. We used it to get from LAX to our hotel in Santa Monica.

[audidoody]

+1 for Shutters. Expensive but sublime.

[andrew311]

Have been to LA several times and never stayed in LA proper One of Costal towns would be my tip my favourite is probably Santa Monica really nice town, excellent choice of bars and restaurants, nice general vibe.

We’ve stayed on a few places but best ‘bang for your buck’ IMO is the Sea Shore motel, basic but clean and in a good location. Some really nice hotels on the beach but pay for it. I’m usually a only use a room for a base so wouldn’t usually splash out on this sort of trip for a hotel to have money for other things.

If you want to see the sights within LA I can recommend a good Santa Monica tour company, well worth taking the stress out of navigating round the inner city if you’re driving yourself. Venice is just a little south of Santa Monica and is just a little more well gritty IMO-I'd expect there are cheaper options there than SM.

[K50 DEL]

andrew311 said:

We’ve stayed on a few places but best ‘bang for your buck’ IMO is the Sea Shore motel, basic but clean and in a good location. Some really nice hotels on the beach but pay for it. I’m usually a only use a room for a base so wouldn’t usually splash out on this sort of trip for a hotel to have money for other things.

I'll second the Sea Shore... flew into LAX, rented a car and then drove there and stayed for the first 4 nights of a trip a few years ago... a great place to be and decent prices as well, the area seemed safe and I walked around in the evenings with no worries at all.