Los Angeles... Hotel recommendations for E3
May 9, 2013 4:16 PM Subscribe
So, I'm running a bit late in making my hotel reservation for E3 and the nicer down-town Los Angeles hotels are booked.
Any recommendations on where to look if I expand my search radius? I will need to be on-site at the convention center, so I suppose that car-free would be best... but open to suggestions. (I'd prefer not to be by the airport).
Cost isn't a major factor, but probably wouldn't go as high as the Four Seasons for example.
thoughts? I'll have a day or so available for touristy stuff, so those suggestions are welcome as well.
thank you!
I believe that shuttle buses are run from the Santa Monica beach hotels, because lots of people want to stay on the beach. Those hotels aren't cheap, but I don't think they are Four Seasons expensive (not all of them anyway). That would allow you to do your tourist thing and go car free, but it is a long commute even when someone else is driving you, and I dont know how restrictive the bus schedule is.
Look for somewhere on the subway lines. There's also the new Expo line. Sadly doesn't run to Santa Monica quite yet.
posted by Joh at 4:49 PM on May 9, 2013
Look for somewhere on the subway lines. There's also the new Expo line. Sadly doesn't run to Santa Monica quite yet.
posted by Joh at 4:49 PM on May 9, 2013
Response by poster: Great suggestions so far. I was kind of dreading this trip. I'm actually getting kind of excited now.
A couple follow-up questions...
I'll be working odd set-up hours at the convention center, so a shuttle bus schedule may not work out to Santa Monica. Any idea how much a taxi would cost?
I had good luck with the Red Line subway last year, so an Airbnb to an interesting (but not hollywood blvd interesting) neighborhood might be good. Any suggestions on how to best narrow the choices down to something not in a terribly seedy neighborhood?
thanks!
posted by jimmereeno at 5:03 PM on May 9, 2013
A couple follow-up questions...
I'll be working odd set-up hours at the convention center, so a shuttle bus schedule may not work out to Santa Monica. Any idea how much a taxi would cost?
I had good luck with the Red Line subway last year, so an Airbnb to an interesting (but not hollywood blvd interesting) neighborhood might be good. Any suggestions on how to best narrow the choices down to something not in a terribly seedy neighborhood?
thanks!
posted by jimmereeno at 5:03 PM on May 9, 2013
Any idea how much a taxi would cost?
Most bad things about L.A. aren't as bad as you hear, but the cost of a cab ride is insane. Santa Monica to downtown could easily run you $60 or more.
Unless you're really uncomfortable with driving here, I'd rent a car. You can rent a car for two days for what one cab ride might cost you. And you can drive from Santa Monica to downtown very quickly on the 10 if it's an oddly early or late hour.
posted by drjimmy11 at 5:06 PM on May 9, 2013
Most bad things about L.A. aren't as bad as you hear, but the cost of a cab ride is insane. Santa Monica to downtown could easily run you $60 or more.
Unless you're really uncomfortable with driving here, I'd rent a car. You can rent a car for two days for what one cab ride might cost you. And you can drive from Santa Monica to downtown very quickly on the 10 if it's an oddly early or late hour.
posted by drjimmy11 at 5:06 PM on May 9, 2013
Best answer: Also on the Red Line: Universal Studios and the hotels there. Hilton and Sheraton, I believe. Also, right next to the Loews in Hollywood (and close to the Red Line): Orchid Suites and the Magic Castle Hotel, both smaller midrange hotels with good TripAdvisor rankings.
posted by malhouse at 5:14 PM on May 9, 2013
posted by malhouse at 5:14 PM on May 9, 2013
I would try to stay Downtown if you're going to use AirBnb *and* not planning on renting a car. There's probably really cool places to stay in Silverlake and Hollywood Hills, but they're nowhere near the trains and sometimes even walking to a bus stop is a pain.
posted by carsonb at 5:15 PM on May 9, 2013
posted by carsonb at 5:15 PM on May 9, 2013
Pasadena? (Take the Gold Line downtown)
I would try Air BnB downtown.
posted by ablazingsaddle at 5:29 PM on May 9, 2013
I would try Air BnB downtown.
posted by ablazingsaddle at 5:29 PM on May 9, 2013
If you're fairly adventurous you might like an AirBnB spot in Koreatown accessible to the Wilshire/Vermont or even Vermont/Beverly red line stops. It's super walkable, very safe without being touristy at all, full of interesting bars/restaurants/shops, and really unlike any other place I've experienced in LA or otherwise.
posted by justjess at 5:45 PM on May 9, 2013
posted by justjess at 5:45 PM on May 9, 2013
If you really need to go, have people who can stand up and vouch for you, I may have a way to get a hotel room for you.
PM me with you name, check-in/out dates, preferred location. I'll try to see what I can come up with.
posted by herrdoktor at 8:25 PM on May 9, 2013
PM me with you name, check-in/out dates, preferred location. I'll try to see what I can come up with.
posted by herrdoktor at 8:25 PM on May 9, 2013
Shelter Hotel
might work for you. Walkable to the Metro.
I've stayed there, room was nice, good price.
posted by nacho fries at 8:43 PM on May 9, 2013
might work for you. Walkable to the Metro.
I've stayed there, room was nice, good price.
posted by nacho fries at 8:43 PM on May 9, 2013
Made some calls. Check your MeMail. Please respond promptly.
posted by herrdoktor at 9:00 PM on May 9, 2013
posted by herrdoktor at 9:00 PM on May 9, 2013
Best answer: You also asked about touristy stuff and the folks here have the hotel items well in hand, so - touristy stuff!
Downtown:
First off, I'd suggest just taking a walk around here, especially the areas north and east of the Convention Center. This neighborhood is changing shockingly rapidly and a year from now you won't recognize it. Every weekend I bike out to pick up my farmbox and see a new construction or rehab project starting. Take some photos, especially on Broadway between 4th and 9th.
If you're into TV, you can wander around downtown and probably run into a TV or film shoot somewhere. (There is almost invariably one taking place on Saturdays around the Eastern building, which closes down the roads around it to auto traffic. This is why I bike to get my farm box.) If you live around here it gets kind of annoying, but if you don't it's neat. Schedules are often here: http://www.onlocationvacations.com/category/daily-filming-locations/ Summer hiatus, so less stuff than usual.
If you like libraries, the LA Public Library is freakin' amazing. 4 stories above ground, 4 stories belowground, great architecture, well worth wandering around.
Angel's Flight: it's the shortest railway in the world! A wee funicular that will take you up an incredibly steep hill.
You can visit the Space Shuttle at the California Science Center, which is on the Expo line at USC.
If you want to have a drink and watch the sun set, I recommend Perch. The rooftop bar has great views of downtown.
HERE BE DRAGONS (also known as Things Outside of Downtown):
I'm a huge fan of the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits - a number of its exhibits are charmingly dated - and it's right next to the justifiably world-renowned LACMA and near the Peterson Automotive Museum. Some of LA's best food trucks set up around there at lunchtime.
If you like theme parks, Universal Studios is both fun and Metro-accessible.
Santa Monica is worth visiting. Going from downtown, you can take the Big Blue Bus Rapid 10 from Grand and Pico all the way to Santa Monica. The trip is 40-ish minutes in non-rush-hour and, well, bring a book or a lot of podcasts in rush hour. There's the beach, the boardwalk and the 3rd Street Promenade. It's kind of an all day thing, if you're doing it.
underpetticoatrule and I have a favorite secret bar and favorite secret restaurant in DTLA - DM me if you want the addresses!
posted by rednikki at 9:31 PM on May 9, 2013
Downtown:
First off, I'd suggest just taking a walk around here, especially the areas north and east of the Convention Center. This neighborhood is changing shockingly rapidly and a year from now you won't recognize it. Every weekend I bike out to pick up my farmbox and see a new construction or rehab project starting. Take some photos, especially on Broadway between 4th and 9th.
If you're into TV, you can wander around downtown and probably run into a TV or film shoot somewhere. (There is almost invariably one taking place on Saturdays around the Eastern building, which closes down the roads around it to auto traffic. This is why I bike to get my farm box.) If you live around here it gets kind of annoying, but if you don't it's neat. Schedules are often here: http://www.onlocationvacations.com/category/daily-filming-locations/ Summer hiatus, so less stuff than usual.
If you like libraries, the LA Public Library is freakin' amazing. 4 stories above ground, 4 stories belowground, great architecture, well worth wandering around.
Angel's Flight: it's the shortest railway in the world! A wee funicular that will take you up an incredibly steep hill.
You can visit the Space Shuttle at the California Science Center, which is on the Expo line at USC.
If you want to have a drink and watch the sun set, I recommend Perch. The rooftop bar has great views of downtown.
HERE BE DRAGONS (also known as Things Outside of Downtown):
I'm a huge fan of the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits - a number of its exhibits are charmingly dated - and it's right next to the justifiably world-renowned LACMA and near the Peterson Automotive Museum. Some of LA's best food trucks set up around there at lunchtime.
If you like theme parks, Universal Studios is both fun and Metro-accessible.
Santa Monica is worth visiting. Going from downtown, you can take the Big Blue Bus Rapid 10 from Grand and Pico all the way to Santa Monica. The trip is 40-ish minutes in non-rush-hour and, well, bring a book or a lot of podcasts in rush hour. There's the beach, the boardwalk and the 3rd Street Promenade. It's kind of an all day thing, if you're doing it.
underpetticoatrule and I have a favorite secret bar and favorite secret restaurant in DTLA - DM me if you want the addresses!
posted by rednikki at 9:31 PM on May 9, 2013
Sorry to keep posting replies.
There's the LA Hotel Downtown. It's walkable. They have 9 junior suites available now, and they're actively being booked. The rate is $429/night. There's also a larger suite which is in the 500s, but I didn't inquire about those.
I've placed a hold on the room for June 10-14. There are no issues with cancellation costs or fees to me. If that hotel is acceptable to you, and if there's still a room available, you can book it yourself. If for some reason all the rooms get booked, let me know and we can explore options on transferring my held reservation over to you.
Hope this helps. I'm rather envious that you're going to E3.
posted by herrdoktor at 9:33 PM on May 9, 2013
There's the LA Hotel Downtown. It's walkable. They have 9 junior suites available now, and they're actively being booked. The rate is $429/night. There's also a larger suite which is in the 500s, but I didn't inquire about those.
I've placed a hold on the room for June 10-14. There are no issues with cancellation costs or fees to me. If that hotel is acceptable to you, and if there's still a room available, you can book it yourself. If for some reason all the rooms get booked, let me know and we can explore options on transferring my held reservation over to you.
Hope this helps. I'm rather envious that you're going to E3.
posted by herrdoktor at 9:33 PM on May 9, 2013
Response by poster: Thanks, Herrodoktor. I sent MeMail, as my dates are a bit different than those. Also, a suite is really overkill for the amount of time I'll be in the room. I understand that things are full, so right now I'm leaning toward the other suggestions and looking at places out on the red-line.
Also, thanks to Rednikki for the touristy suggestions. Last year was a quick trip to Hollywood Blvd and a sandwich at Phillippe's.
Other suggestions are very welcome. Thanks everybody.
posted by jimmereeno at 9:54 AM on May 10, 2013
Also, thanks to Rednikki for the touristy suggestions. Last year was a quick trip to Hollywood Blvd and a sandwich at Phillippe's.
Other suggestions are very welcome. Thanks everybody.
posted by jimmereeno at 9:54 AM on May 10, 2013
Response by poster: (I also sent MeMail to rednikki to get the secret restaurant/bar recommendation. Thanks!)
posted by jimmereeno at 9:58 AM on May 10, 2013
posted by jimmereeno at 9:58 AM on May 10, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you want to stay downtown, maybe try this guy on Airbnb?
posted by carsonb at 4:32 PM on May 9, 2013