Is it OK to stay at LAX for a 5 day trip? (Los Angeles: good hotel, to live)

[Arsene Lupin]

I'm looking for a sub-$100 rate for a good hotel in a good location.. and LAX area seems to be perfect. 4 stars Hilton goes for ~$70/night. And most of the touristic areas seem to be within short driving distance. Any draw backs?

Santa Monica and Hollywood rates for similar, or even 3 stars hotels, are well above the $100 rate. Is it worth it to live there? What about the downtown?

I know these are alot of questions.. but I could use help planning this trip! My stay is from 12/31/2011 - 1/5/2011.

Thanks guys

[Charles]

It depends on the location of things you will be seeing. Is LAX central to what you want to see? Efficient planning considering traffic is really important.

Otherwise, I guess it is as good as any place.

I would think the hotels you are considering are west of the 405.

[Arsene Lupin]

Santa Monica and Hollywood, not sure what other places to visit yet. LAX seemed to be close to both of these. What times are best to leave the hotel and come back? (Note, we have a toddler, so we can't stay long into the night).

EDIT: And ya, most are west of the 405.

[nowincal11]

If you leave the LAX area after 9 and return by 430 or after 630, traffic is way lighter. Santa Monica is close by. Hollywood is across the city, but in no traffic, figure 30-35 minutes. LAX is by all the beaches so it's a tradeoff that way. I personally like the LAX hotels better than the ones in the middle of Hollywood. If you have a toddler, may as well stay at LAX since you aren't planning on Hollywood or Santa Monica nightlife.

[Charles]

I know this is a little "out there" but if you are looking for a hole in the wall place to eat fairly cheap by LAX I strongly recommend Arcense, a Salvadoran restaurant at El Segundo and the 405.

RESTAURANT Y PUPUSERIA ARCENSE

Pupuseria Arcense - Hawthorne, CA

[Parker501]

Agree. If you have a toddler and are not going out late, the area around LAX is perfectly fine.

[Harrier]

Los Angeles Airport LAX | Reviews and Guide

[jaypee]

In my opinion, 5 nights in an LAX hotel is too much to bear. For under $100, you can get a room in, say, the Marina International Hotel in Marina Del Rey, which is in a good location and you can take the toddler for evening strolls and not feel trapped in your hotel.

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by jaypee

In my opinion, 5 nights in an LAX hotel is too much to bear. For under $100, you can get a room in, say, the Marina International Hotel in Marina Del Rey, which is in a good location and you can take the toddler for evening strolls and not feel trapped in your hotel.

I can go either way on this .... but I mostly agree with Jaypee. There are other areas where you can stay for the same amount of money that will be more fun/better. LAX hotels are mostly transient traffic (not a bad thing necessarily) ... so they'r geared better to turning over rooms nightly rather than longer stays with more amenities.

[daortiz]

I cannot think of a worst place to spend $100 bucks a night for a hotel than the LAX area, borrring! there is nothing there to see!
You should defenitely look at other parts of the city.