Funky, unusual, cheap accommodation in LA

June 7, 2013 1:30 PM

We're going to do a couple days in Los Angeles for a mini honeymoon next Thur/Fri nights. Want to see the Getty Museum, Olvera Street and maybe some Hollywood. Looking for someplace cool and unusual to stay - we like retro, art deco, mid century, kitschy, cheesy stuff. Clean, basic, bedbug free, a fridge in the room would be nice. Suggestions? Thank you!
posted by Josephine Macaulay to Travel & Transportation around Los Angeles, CA (14 answers total)

The Getty and Olvera St. are at opposite ends of the city, pretty much. Will you have a car? The Farmer's Daughter on Fairfax is moderately funky and sort of half-way between the two places.
posted by Ideefixe at 1:34 PM on June 7, 2013 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: (sorry, yes we will have a car!)
posted by Josephine Macaulay at 1:35 PM on June 7, 2013

Best answer: Have you ever stayed at an AirBnB before? My ex and I had some great experiences staying at some quirky peoples' places - usually they're well maintained and hospitable as well (the higher rated ones moreso). It can be quite affordable - and interesting - compared to hotels.
posted by tripledrop at 1:38 PM on June 7, 2013 [2 favorites]

Depending on what counts as cheap to you, Farmer's Daughter was also my first thought -- though I don't know if they'd have availability for next week (also, note that it may be hard to book someplace for Thursday and Friday night without also staying Saturday night as well). It's kitschy fun and right across the street from Farmers Market (plus their own restaurant, Tart, is quite good), basically splits the distance between the Getty and downtown, and has easy access to Hollywood and LACMA (if you're interested).

In the event the Farmers Daughter is booked, or if they're too expensive, could you specify your price range?
posted by scody at 1:50 PM on June 7, 2013 [1 favorite]

We stayed at the Vibe Hotel a few years ago and while it is not the pinnacle of luxury, it is totally cool, the rooms were more than adequate, and it was big enough and cheap enough to accommodate all 12 members of our group (varying room size needs and budgets.) It's an old school 50's motor inn style place - very funky and retro - we all loved it.
posted by deliciae at 1:53 PM on June 7, 2013

Response by poster: Thank you all for the suggestions! Yeah Farmer's Daughter looks cool but we were hoping for $150/night, tops. I'd seen the Vibe in my search before posting this thread, but it seemed very much a hostel and very social (this is our honeymoon after all). I can't believe I haven't yet researched AirBnB, I've certainly heard of it. If you book an AirBnB are you staying WITH the owners?
posted by Josephine Macaulay at 2:04 PM on June 7, 2013

I know this is out of your price range but it might be worth it, as it is super duper romantic. It's a vintage trailer on the roof in downtown. You get the whole rooftop to yourself. If it is an off night, you might be able to ask for a honeymoon discount. (Full disclosure, I know these people)
posted by Vaike at 2:13 PM on June 7, 2013 [2 favorites]

If you like the retro feel of The Vibe you might like the Seaview Hotel in Santa Monica and it looks like it's in your price range. The hacienda-style Hotel California also looks like it might have some specials close to your price range. And just because there might be ways to find cheap rates I'll mention the art deco Georgian Hotel, which I think is actually an historical landmark.

(The first two are a block from the beach, The Georgian, which looks likes it's right across the street from the beach, is actually on the bluffs above the beach and are a few blocks away from sand.)
posted by Room 641-A at 2:40 PM on June 7, 2013

I usually stay at this Airbnb in LA. It's between the airport and Venice. The room is separate from the house, has its own kitchenette and bathroom, and has the comfiest bed in the world.
posted by third word on a random page at 4:43 PM on June 7, 2013

If you book an AirBnB are you staying WITH the owners?

It depends - the listing should make it clear. Sometimes it's a room in someone's house and the owner is there, sometimes you are getting a whole apartment to yourself.

As for location, I would recommend staying within walking distance of the red line. Then, you can take the metro to Olvera street and Hollywood, and not deal with traffic or parking. You'll need to drive to the Getty. Obligatory driving note: I recommend timing your driving so that you do all of your across-town driving between 10am - 3pm (or before 7am, or after 9pm). Local driving, as in ~3 miles on surface streets, is generally okay even during rush hour.
posted by insectosaurus at 7:36 PM on June 7, 2013

This might get deleted because it's not a place to stay, but you absolutely must visit the Museum of Jurassic Technology.
posted by TrixieRamble at 8:42 PM on June 7, 2013 [2 favorites]

If you don't mind staying in the (southeast) Valley, the Best Western Mikado is a nice/reasonably priced option and is close to the 101 for easy access into central Los Angeles. I've stayed there before and have recommended it to others.
posted by mirepoix at 1:09 PM on June 8, 2013

The Beverly Laurel Hotel has everything you're looking for and Swingers, a great hip little diner downstairs. It's centrally located so you it's not too bad to get to The Getty and it's close to Hollywood. Cute, clean, nice pool and kitchenettes in the rooms. Looks to be around $160 a night.
posted by buzzkillington at 10:29 PM on June 9, 2013

Response by poster: Thank you all! We're going to try the Airbnb route, got a place booked in Hollywood... And we are going to try to check out the Museum of Jurassic Technology!
posted by Josephine Macaulay at 12:27 PM on June 10, 2013