Where to stay in LA?

[Mintycake]

So after we see Disneyland we're going to spend 2 or 3 days in LA taking in the sights. We'd like to see the walk of Fame, Chinese theatre, the Hollywood Sign, Griffiths observatory. We have a 7 year old who is into astronomy. Priority for our hotel is safe neighbourhood with a nice pool, and either walking distance to sights or easy Uber or public transportation since we don't plan to rent a car. What are your recommendations?

 

[SteveMP]

So after we see Disneyland we're going to spend 2 or 3 days in LA taking in the sights. We'd like to see the walk of Fame, Chinese theatre, the Hollywood Sign, Griffiths observatory. We have a 7 year old who is into astronomy. Priority for our hotel is safe neighbourhood with a nice pool, and either walking distance to sights or easy Uber or public transportation since we don't plan to rent a car. What are your recommendations?

There are a few hotels in and around Hollywood & Highland center. Never stayed in them but go to the one in the center(Loews) for work conferences and it seems pretty nice.

 

[farmfresh]

Walk of fame etc doesn't really take that much time to see, but Loews is well located. Two days would be plenty to cover your list. So you could look to stay elsewhere (Venice, Santa Monica), and just go to Hollywood for the afternoon, or split the day between Hollywood and observatory.

 

[4Mickeys]

We stayed at the Loews at Hollywood and Highland in 2014 - it is really nice - we had a room with a view of the Hollywood sign, from the pool deck you can see the Griffith Observatory in the distance and if you go the far side of the pool near the fence and look past the Loews building you get a good view of the Hollywood sign from there also. You will need to Uber to the Observatory - later afternoon staying into the evening is a great time to visit as you get to see the sunset across the city and all the lights come on - makes for some great photos. As for public transport if you manage to fit anything else in it is right on top of the Metro Rail red line. Another thing my kids and I enjoyed when we were there space themed was visiting the California Science Centre to see the space shuttle Endeavour - you could get there by train (I think you would need to switch trains but it is doable - just depends on your time available though). As it is a high traffic tourist area there are lots of people coming and going to help with safety.

 

[Frozen2014]

There are a few hotels in and around Hollywood & Highland center. Never stayed in them but go to the one in the center(Loews) for work conferences and it seems pretty nice.

We stayed at Hollywood Orchid Suites which is near Hollywood & Highland (and just behind the Loews mentioned above) . Great motel...clean, large rooms, kitchen, pool, breakfast and on a quiet street. It is around the corner from tourist area, which can be good and bad depending on what you want. I quite liked having things in the area as we went to the Wax museum, Ripleys museum, and did the Dolby tour, but of course you get all class of people being a tourist area. It's also a short uber ride away from Universal and Warner Brother's Studio.

 

[SteveMP]

We stayed at Hollywood Orchid Suites which is near Hollywood & Highland (and just behind the Loews mentioned above) . Great motel...clean, large rooms, kitchen, pool, breakfast and on a quiet street. It is around the corner from tourist area, which can be good and bad depending on what you want. I quite liked having things in the area as we went to the Wax museum, Ripleys museum, and did the Dolby tour, but of course you get all class of people being a tourist area. It's also a short uber ride away from Universal and Warner Brother's Studio.

Btw, if you are looking to do multiple things like the museums, look for those "city card" or whatever they are called. Its usually 3 or more admissions for a lower price.

 

[Neon Cactus]

The hotels by Universal Studios are nice and you have Citywalk right there, plus the subway station nearby.

 

[corrie563]

We stayed at the Magic Castle in June, it is very cool... Free continantal breakfast, fre snacks, soda and ice cream cones, nice pool and we had the bonus of getting into the Magic Castle for a show... A walk to the walk of fame etc, but don't stay long, it's pretty grimey...

 

[Mintycake]

We stayed at the Magic Castle in June, it is very cool... Free continantal breakfast, fre snacks, soda and ice cream cones, nice pool and we had the bonus of getting into the Magic Castle for a show... A walk to the walk of fame etc, but don't stay long, it's pretty grimey...

We booked it. Reviews were terrific! What do you mean it's grimey? We are staying 2 nights

 

[ParkHopper1]

What do you mean it's grimey?

Let's just say the area that the Walk of Fame is in is not nearly as glamorous as they make it out to be on TV!

 

[WonkaKid]

Walk of fame etc doesn't really take that much time to see, but Loews is well located. Two days would be plenty to cover your list. So you could look to stay elsewhere (Venice, Santa Monica), and just go to Hollywood for the afternoon, or split the day between Hollywood and observatory.

Agreed. It's much nicer to stay by the ocean. My personal preference would be Santa Monica. Prettier than Venice and there are likely more modern hotels. You should be able to stay walking distance from the ocean. SM is approx. 15 miles from Hollywood. Griffith isn't far from the WOF -- four miles, perhaps? There's tons of free parking up there but you can also park along Fern Dell and hike up (approx 20 minutes). It's a relatively steep climb but kind of nice. Driving up and down and finding a place to park is sometimes a hassle, particularly on weekends.

 

[corrie563]

What ParkHopper1 said... However I am glad I went... It is a quick walk, so is Runyon Canyon if you fancy a hike... We loved the location, a quick Lyft or Uber to most signifcant places... If you want to go to Santa Monica for the day, it was around $30 in a Lyft each way... Your 7yo will LOVE the hotel (there is a phone at the pool and if you use it, it calls the front desk and they bring out popsicles), if they are into magic, email the hotel for a brunch booking to the actual magic castle, it was very cool...