Lodging
There are any number of good hotels in Los Angeles, far too many for us to list here. Each can offer an entirely different experience. We have decided against reserving blocks of rooms so that you may choose what type of "LA experience" you wish to have while visiting for our wedding. We are providing a few selections here to help you decide. If you find another location that you think is a deal, you might consider emailing us to confirm the area is "OK." Feel free to email us to request info on areas we haven't covered here.
Disclaimer: Public transportation in Los Angeles leaves much to be desired. That being said, we have specifically picked several hotels that are accessible via public transportation and have noted them below if you feel up to the challenge. Please see our transportation page for more info on using public transportation.
DOWNTOWN
Metro Plaza Hotel: This clean hotel is in a safe area and is the closest hotel to all the wedding action. It is about two blocks from Union Station so it would be possible to use only public transportation during your visit if you feel a little adventurous (see our transportation page for more info). It was until recently affiliated with Days Inn and has the cheapest rates in the downtown area. Chinatown and Olvera Street are directly around the corner and across the street respectively. Dodger Stadium is nearby (there is a game against the Diamondbacks Friday night). There is a $4 per day parking fee if you have a car.
New Otani Hotel: This hotel is a little more expensive than the Metro Plaza, is a little nicer, and is about 3/4 mi. to 1 mi. away from Union Station. They have a rooftop garden that we considered as a possible ceremony location (but decided against it in the end). It is located in the Little Tokyo district of Los Angeles (see our restaurant info for two of our favorite sushi places which happen to be in Little Tokyo, go figure). A car or cabs would be necessary. $14.85 per day parking fee if you have a car.
HOLLYWOOD
Ramada Hollywood: This hotel is close to Hollywood Blvd. and one block from a Metro Red Line Station (see transportation page here for more info). Most importantly, though, it is about 3/4 mi. South of one of our favorite breakfast/lunch places, Fred's 62 (see Restaurants page here fore more info). Wade suggests the Eggs Fredstone, yummy! While they do have an airport shuttle, and the Metro is nearby, a car would make things easier at this location. $12 per day parking fee if you have a car.
Comfort Inn: Several people have asked for info about hotels in the Choice Hotel chain. This one is about a mile south of the Ramada above and has a Metro station entrance right next to it. The rooms here are running around $170 a night plus a $5 per night parking fee, so hopefully you have reward points. There are many other Choice Hotels in the LA metro area, feel free to contact us if you wish to consider a different one.
Hollywood Liberty: This Hollywood Hotel is behind the Hollywood & Highland entertainment complex next to Grauman's Chinese Theater. There's always plenty to see in this area since it is the "famous" stretch of Hollywood Blvd. It used to be a sketchy area despite its tourist draw, but has recently been improved and is now quite pleasant. The Metro Red Line Station is located at the intersection of Hollywood & Highland which runs directly to Union Station if you don't want to drive to the event (see the transportation page here for more info). Parking and breakfast included in room rate.
THE BEACH/SOUTH BAY
Hotel Hermosa: If you'd like to spend a little time at a beach during your stay, this would be a nice choice. However, you'll need a car for this one, no way getting around it this deep into the South Bay. Also, proximity to the beach causes a higher rate ($129-$219 a night). There's plenty of shops and restaurants nearby and Hermosa has a thriving, young nightlife.
Hacienda Hotel: This hotel is right next to LAX (they offer a complimentary 24 hr. shuttle from LAX to the hotel) and can be booked on expedia.com at reduced rates (at the time of this draft it was about $80 a night during the wedding weekend). Evidently they serve a large number of airline crews. There is a Metro Green line station 1/2 mi due east (the Mariposa-Nash station). With a transfer to the Blue Line and then to the Red Line, you could take the Metro to the wedding, just plan for extra time and pay attention to when the last trains run in the evening.
WESTSIDE
The Culver Hotel: Located in downtown Culver City, this place is in the center of our favorite dinner-and-a-movie spot. There's plenty of restaurants and the Sony Pictures Studio lot is just down the street (they shoot Jeopardy there). This hotel is a historical landmark with past icons such as Judy Garland and John Wayne calling it home at one point in time. It's not exactly cheap, with rooms starting around $170 a night, but it is quite a beautiful building and a very nice area. You would also need a car here.
LONG BEACH
The Queen Mary Hotel: That's right, you can stay on the actual HMS Queen Mary! Booking through expedia.com will get you a discounted rate, or they offer AAA and AARP rates. Either way, you'll be looking at about $100 a night for their lowest priced room. You'll also need a car and plan to spend some time on our beloved freeways.