Where to stay in LA, LV, SF and NY

[Nug300]

Agreed, when you're traveling with kids on a budget its hard to go past Holiday Inn for value, free breakfast, staff are always nice and comfy beds.

Just note that the breakfast is at the Holiday Inn Express. Included in the rate and the food is decent enough and have a reasonable range. Certainly good to get you on your way early to sightseeing and not having to look out for somewhere to stop for breakfast.

 

[UP4014]

Agreed, when you're traveling with kids on a budget its hard to go past Holiday Inn for value, free breakfast, staff are always nice and comfy beds.

Many regular highway side motels these days have free (well included) limited breakfast and I haven't seen one lately that didn't include free wifi, ever sub USD50 per night.

 

[AnnaB]

One thing that I might not have thought of looking at the replies to this post is people smoking indoors. I guess we are so used to it being illegal in AUS that I dont even think about it anymore, but this might be a big issue for me as I react with a cough from hell. Last year I stayed in a hotel room that used to be smoking and I did not stop coughing until we swapped rooms.
How bad is it, really? Is there any hotels with less smoking and are non smoking areas and rooms readily available?

 

[UP4014]

One thing that I might not have thought of looking at the replies to this post is people smoking indoors. I guess we are so used to it being illegal in AUS that I dont even think about it anymore, but this might be a big issue for me as I react with a cough from hell. Last year I stayed in a hotel room that used to be smoking and I did not stop coughing until we swapped rooms.
How bad is it, really? Is there any hotels with less smoking and are non smoking areas and rooms readily available?

I haven't come across a smoking room since 2005 in Klamath Falls, while they are still there you should be fine.

 

[kermatu]

I've stayed a few times at the Trump Hotel in Vegas. It is a couple of hundred metres off the strip, next to a small shopping mall but with perfect views right down the strip. No casino so completely smoke-free (a big positive for me). Regular shuttles to two casinos including Caesar's which gets you right to heart of the strip. Standard rooms are large (sofas, kitchenette, large bath and separate large shower). Top floors (48 to 53 I think) strip view rooms from about $US 130 or thereabouts.

In NYC I'd also vote for financial district or Brooklyn area, close to subway stations. Express subway gets you to anywhere in Manhattan pretty fast. Great deals in financial district if you include weekends. Area is quiet on weekends (a positive in my book) but still enough to do and easy to get to places of interest fast.

 

[cove]

There are dedicated non smoking rooms in the US.
Ayres have a chain of hotels we use for our business in Southern California.
Our sons always wanted to stay at Embassy Suites for the free breakfast and evening drinks.

 

[suze2000]

If smoking's an issue, you need to be aware of reports I have read (even earlier this year) that most gaming floors in Vegas are filled with smoke (smoking is still allowed there, if you can believe it). The Rio is one which apparently reeks.

 

[Himeno]

If smoking's an issue, you need to be aware of reports I have read (even earlier this year) that most gaming floors in Vegas are filled with smoke (smoking is still allowed there, if you can believe it). The Rio is one which apparently reeks.

I went through the gaming area off the lobby of the Rio in 2014 while waiting for a Penn and Teller show. Didn't see or smell any smoke. Not sure about other floors or the side rooms.

 

[Renato1]

One thing that I might not have thought of looking at the replies to this post is people smoking indoors. I guess we are so used to it being illegal in AUS that I dont even think about it anymore, but this might be a big issue for me as I react with a cough from hell. Last year I stayed in a hotel room that used to be smoking and I did not stop coughing until we swapped rooms.
How bad is it, really? Is there any hotels with less smoking and are non smoking areas and rooms readily available?

None of the cities we visited, except Las Vegas, allowed indoor smoking. In Las Vegas at the Mirage they had banned smoking in hotel floors not so long ago. Smoking is allowed on gaming floors which in the case of the Mirage you had to walk through to get to your rooms. My wife is very touchy about smoking too - and we walked through quite a lot of gaming floors at various casinos and it wasn't an issue for her because it is so well air conditioned. She would literally have to stand right next to a smoker to be affected - and why would she do that when there is plenty of room?
Regards,
Renato

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Agreed, when you're traveling with kids on a budget its hard to go past Holiday Inn for value, free breakfast, staff are always nice and comfy beds.

Staybridge properties are good for that as well offering free buffet breakfast and in addition to that many of them offer free canapes in the evening on weeknights which can easily pass as dinner for us Aussies. The one we stayed in at YYC offered this Tue, Wed & Thu but check with the property direct as the nights do vary between citites.

 

[AnnaB]

Its been a while since I wrote here... been a lot of planning to make everything fit into place. So far I have booked most accommodation and paid if I can. I even called Hilton in the US to ask them to take my money as the AU$ is plummeting at the moment.

The places I have booked so far are:
LAX - Renaissance Airport Hotel - 1 night after we land to get our bearings straight and get some rest. Have a Starbucks in-house and that is a star in my book.

Santa Monica - Hotel Carmel - Its all about location. I think its expensive for what you get, but its in a great spot.

Anaheim - Hilton Anaheim with views over Disneyland. Same price as many others but way better room. Might help with gold status as well.

San Diego - Days Inn - Taking a real chance here Cheap motel not far from the freeway. Looks ok with good reviews and cheap parking. Rather take an Uber downtown then have to drive and pay a fortune for parking.

San Francisco - Wharf Inn - Booked this one after recommendations from friends. Again, its all about location... and the free parking! Not cheap for what you get, its a half-bad motel, but its right on the Wharf and with free parking. About $340pn in June.

Las Vegas - Still looking at this one... considering the Venetian, Wynn, Bellagio or MGM. Anyone has any ideas or input?

Washington - Hyatt Place White House - A block from the White House and at a decent rate too.

New York - Iberostar 70 on Park Avenue - Seems you have a great location wherever you stay on Manhattan. Same price as most other hotels off the island. Paying about US$1040 for 6 nights in July.

Most booked through hotel websites or other places where I get points like Flybuys or Virgin Holidays... and with my Amex Velocity that is giving me bonus points this month Now I only have to pay the bill too

Also booked Delta Comfort+ from LV to WAS and Amtrak business seats from WAS to NY.

Coming together... already looking forward to this trip

 

[clazman]

NY - Hotel Giraffe or Warwick (next to MOMA)
Washington - Jefferson
LV - Venetian

 

[robtemt]

As an American, living in OZ, well actually I'm an Australian now too, and probably giving up the US passport (dont get me started on Chump). These are my go-to's when we fly back:

LA - Andaz West Hollywood. Easy to get to, great staff, nice rooms, and very central for "LA". The staff are fantastic too. We go once a year, and they remember us every time.
SF- My "mid-range" used to be a Kimpton hotel, but they released it from the chain.
Vegas- I usually stay at MGM Signature - all suites, and away from casino (connected by a looooooooong hallway), but a lot of people don't like that its a walk to go gamble. I'm usually there at least 5 days tough, and my family meets us in vegas, so its nice to have the dining table and lounge room, kitchen, etc. to hang out, catch up, play games, etc.

 

[NoName]

Vegas:
I stayed at Encore (at the Wynn) in 2010 and it is a magnificent property. The best in Vegas IMO. Only negative is that it's a bit far to the north end of the strip which makes it a little away from the action.

Stayed at Venetian in August and while it is a rung lower than Wynn it is still a fantastic resort. Second best in the city probably IMO from what I've seen. It's only one resort south of the Wynn but this is significant for mine as it really is a lot closer to everything.

Both are great and I would happily stay at either again but the Venetian would be my preference for the location aspect.

 

[elan]

I agree there are many listed, but they are illegal. see this article: Is Airbnb Legal in New York? - Lawmakers Rule on Short Term Rentals
I use both AirBnB and Homeaway to book apartments, but I am wary if a city makes them illegal.

Iagree that they are illegal, but not sure how that are policed. We stayed in anapartment for 8 nights last year at a rate of USD250 a night for a family of 5,within walking distance of Times Square and central Park.

 

[andy2015]

LA: The Georgian Hotel (Santa Monica), Hollywood Roosevelt. Case Del Mar, Loews and the Huntley all good but a step up in price.
Las Vegas: Aria, Vdara, MGM Signature. Planet Hollywood also but not as nice.

 

[AnnaB]

Ended up booking the Venetian in Las Vegas I am already looking forward to this trip, I can hardly wait

 

[cove]

If we have a work group we tend to use Ayres Hotels as they are easy to locate and we can get a fair price for multiple rooms in Southern California.
Mrscove would want to stay at Westin South Coast Plaza as there is an overhead walkway straight into the best shopping mall across Bristol.

 

[NoName]

Ended up booking the Venetian in Las Vegas I am already looking forward to this trip, I can hardly wait

Enjoy! Its a fantastic resort for sure. Just make sure you stay away from the Triple-0 roulette if you hit the tables! Venetian Sticks It to Players with Triple Zero Sands Roulette

 

[AnnaB]

Enjoy! Its a fantastic resort for sure. Just make sure you stay away from the Triple-0 roulette if you hit the tables! Venetian Sticks It to Players with Triple Zero Sands Roulette

Perhaps I should not admit to this, but I have never, ever been in a casino, not have I ever been gambling (except for lotto and such) They didnt have any where I grew up and when I tried in Singapore they would not let me in as I forgot my passport and I took that as a sign to go do champagne during lounge hours at the hotel instead. After that I have really never had the interest... but when in Vegas But I will stay clear of the new tables Might as well try and let the odds work in my favour, rather then theirs