Best hotel/motel for first night in LA

[kiwi2768]

We were supposed to go on our USA/Canada trip three years ago but for one reason or another never got around to it. Our flights are now booked (trying out Air NZ's premium economy) and we're off at the end of August. We will arrive in LA mid afternoon on a Monday. What recommendations can anyone give me for somewhere to stay when we arrive in LA please? We intend to pick up a hire car at the airport. We will only stay in LA one night and head off up the coast.

 

[serfty]

Personally, I would not be contemplating a rental car on arrival into LAX.

The hotel shuttles are free (+ gratuity) and you'd generally be better off heading to your accommodation for rest.

 

[Mwenenzi]

And also off airport car rentals can at times be a lot cheaper than on airport.
Take the shuttle, even you take it at the back to the airport next morning to pick up a car. (1 day less car rental)

 

[Newk]

There is a four seasons LAX that I picked up after reading about on here somewhere. Has a 24 hour check in system such that you can check in any time and check out time becomes 24 hours after that. Very satisfactory. Short shuttle ride from LAX.
The advice about not getting a hire car until the next day is good.
Now if my memory serves me well there is an enormous hire car lot just over the road from the hotel. I remember thinking "next time.....I'll get the hire car from there"
Google map it

Edit to say Four POINTS not Four Seasons. I'll post a link later. Cheers

 

[RooFlyer]

Agree with others. Book an airport hotel (there are lots), take the hotel shuttle bus from the airport and just 'crash' at the hotel. Unless you travel really well, you'll be glad not to have much hassle / navigate LA's freeways when you arrive. Once you check in and freshen up you can get a cab to Manhattan Beach for a walk or anywhere else, depending on how you are feeling.

Airport hotels at LAX don't charge the huge premium like Australian ones do.

I often stay at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel on West Century Boulevard - its one of the closest to the airport (and therefore one of the first drop-offs), but not any more noisy. One of the advantages of hotels in this area is that you can then walk to several of the car rental lots - certainly Avis, and I think also Budget and National (I think). So the next day, just walk over and pick up your (pre booked) car. However if your rental car place isn't one of the close ones, just catch a cab or the free shuttle back to the airport, then get on the rental car's shuttle bus!

The free hotel and car rental shuttle busses pick up outside each terminal at variously coloured 'zones' and these can be a bit chaotic. There are usually volunteers at the outside exit from TBIT who are there to point you in the right direction. Couple of dollars tip is probably worth it. Hotel busses (they drop off to hotels in a particular area, not specific to any one hotel) can be confusing, for instance there might be several Sheratons serviced and different busses might do each. Make sure you get on the right bus (just ask the driver).

This may sound confusing, but don't be discouraged. Just keep your eyes peeled and you'll be in the hotel in no time. Then start afresh the next morning.

 

[drewbles]

The way I read it the OP is 'heading up the cost' the following day, implying perhaps a road trip?

If that's the case, there's a plethora of options of course. I'd leave the Airport area and head to the Andaz in West Hollywood, as it's my favourite hotel in Los Angeles.

There's some nice hotels downtown, alas downtown is a ghost town at night and there's always some good nightlife and restaurants in West Hollywood.

 

[QF029]

The HGI LAX / El Segundo often has good Hilton AAA / MVP rates. I'm pretty sure that their complimentary airport shuttle will also take you places within the radius including Manhattan Beach.