Cheap (but comfortable) motels in LA

[Lee99]

We'll be in LA for 3 nights. I've been once; my party of 3 haven't ever visited at all. We want to do the typical LA stuff - Hollywood, etc.

We're hiring a Mustang to cruise around in, before setting off up Highway 1 toward San Fran.

For those 3 days, we're looking for a decent motel that will fit all 4 of us in comfortably. Decent security (as far as keeping our bags there). Decent parking. Not too much $$. And a decent enough location would be nice.

Any suggestions?

[PNW Judy]

It would help us advise you if we knew where in LA you wanted to stay. Near the beaches? If so, what beach? Near Hollywood? Near Disneyland?

[Lee99]

We honestly have no idea, and therefore, no real preference.

We'd like to see Hollywood, be in close-ish vacinity to some good restaurants, see Beverly Hills. We're not too fussed about the beaches - we're like to pack in some sight-seeing more so than relax on the sand.

Pretty much just looking for a decent area to park at night, safe area, a comfortable bed, in close proximity to food should we need to quickly get it -- and anywhere else, we can pretty much drive to.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[portland]

A lot of cheap Motels in :
Montebello Zip code 90640 (about 20 miles drive to Disneyland)
San Gabriel Zip code 91775 (about 20 miles drive to Disneyland)
Inglewood Close to LAX (about 15 miles drive to the beach)
Echo Park close to Hollywood

[W. Larrison]

Hmm.. a few comments?

Hollywood has gotten a bit skuzzy. Not a really nasty area, but not the best either. If you're going to stay in the area, you might want to pick a larger hotel with secured parking. There are some in Hollywood, right on Hollywood Blvd I've passed by, and within walking distance of Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the usual Hollywood tourist attractions. But they're the larger hotels from major chains.

If you're going to be in the area, there are *Excellent!* restaurnts in the area but I would recommend perhaps the Yamashira Sky Room right in the area (its a Japanese restaurant right on a hill top, roughly behind the Grauman's Theatre), or perhaps you can wangle a dinner at the Magic Castle, a magician's club also right in that area. If you go to the Magic Castle they typically have several simultaneous shows ranging from the big Las Vegas-style products to small close-up magic, and has always been very impressive. Similarly, the Hollywood bowl is quite close to this area as well.

As an alternative, you might stay over on the other side of the Hollywood Hills, which are 5-10 miles away, near Universal City. That's right near Universal Studios (and theme park), and right near a lot of the production houses (Disney, Warner Brothers, Fox, etc.) The neighborhood is somewhate better there, but you won't in in "Hollywood". If you want to be in the "studio audience" for a show it will either bein the Burbank/ Universal City area, or near Hollywood.

[Lee99]

Thanks for the info.

Basically just looking for a decent enough motel in a safe-ish area. We'll be in the US for 2 months (after visiting Oz for a month)-- so we're just trying to keep accommodation costs down to a reasonable level.

I know LA can be expensive.

Thanks for the tips on the restaurants, too. I have a friend who used to work at the Magic Castle, and I've visited before-- definitely an excellent venue, and the shows are great (especially the close-hand card magic- brilliant). Will probably need to rent a tux/suit to get in-- we're only taking one bag each the whole time we're gone, and there's no way I can squeeze in a suit!

Will keep looking for motels in the suggested areas. Ideally, no more than $150/night for the 4 of us would be good.

thanks!

[W. Larrison]

[ ... ] Thanks for the tips on the restaurants, too. I have a friend who used to work at the Magic Castle, and I've visited before-- definitely an excellent venue, and the shows are great (especially the close-hand card magic- brilliant). Will probably need to rent a tux/suit to get in-- we're only taking one bag each the whole time we're gone, and there's no way I can squeeze in a suit!

Will keep looking for motels in the suggested areas. Ideally, no more than $150/night for the 4 of us would be good.

thanks!

Hmm.. regarding the need for a Suit or Tux -- I wouldn't bother. This is LA, after all -- where the usual requirement is "You need a shirt and shoes". If you have a nice blazer (standard Navy Blue works) and a standard solid color long sleeve shirt (oxford shirt for example) and khakis, you'll get in. I don't ever recall wearing a tie going out to dinner in LA for the last 20 years.

You might check a couple of the big chains to see what is in the area.. I think you should come close to your budget. Some of the big chains but not the high end are Best Western, Holiday Inn, Ramada, Comfort Inn, Days Inn, and a few others. You might get cheaper rooms during the week and more expensive on holidays, so if you're a little flexible on the dates you might get a better deal. I did a quick look on one of the internet site (tripadvisor) and it looks like you can get close to your budget, if not meet it.

[Lee99]

Thanks Larrison--

The reason I mentioned the tux was that I know Magic Castle requires a suit and tie, specifically. We were hoping to go back (through a kind, personal invite from a friend). Without a suit and tie, they have no problem there pointing you toward the exit!

Strict, yes- but I can appreciate it. It is a really nice venue.

Thanks for the accomodation recommendations. I will check each of those out and see what we can find. Cheers!

[NH87]

For low cost, yet comfortable accomodations I recommend Super 8 Motels. There are thousands scattered across the country, and their standards are all the same. I once drove coast to coast spending the nights at nothing but Super 8's and was always impressed with the level of comfort and service for the price. It's certainly not the cheapest option (Motel 6 will generally run a little cheaper), but for what you've described I think it will suit your needs just fine.

www.super8.com I'm sure there are a couple in the LA area.. If you have the choice, staying in Northern LA would be your best bet as opposed to Long Beach or inland.

Good luck!

[kcstockdale]

Most "Motel 6" are great and cheap. They have security walking grounds at all hours. We have throw countless parties in them all over LA and Orange Coutny.

Everyone's right about Hollywood. It's not the safest or nicest of cities any more. Just watch the area as you drive by. If it looks bad, it really is.

Enjoy your selves. LA can be fun with the right attitude. And dont forget to check out Rodeo Drive. Its a slice of paradise in a not so great neighborhood. Great for star gazing.

Kelly