Where to stay: LA/Hollywood & Tokyo

[chrisb]

While in LA, i'm planning on spending a few days in Anaheim, but i'm also wondering if it's worth also spending some time 'closer to the action' in LA?

Our time their is pure holiday and without a car. Bus tours are on the agenda... (Which is why I like Anaheim - there seems to be heaps)

The same situation applies in Tokyo, but we'll only be there for 24hrs.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

If anyone can suggest tour companies to look at that would be appreciated too.

Thanks,

Chrisb.

ps. Picking new hotels for holidays is one of my least favourite activities.

 

[Maca44]

When I was in anaheim 18mths ago we stayed at Carousel Inn & Suites, which is 5 mins walk to gates of Disneyland and Calfornia Adventure. This included continental breakfast which was quite good from memory. Has a roof top pool from where you can look at the fireworks.
Carousel Inn and Suites * Anaheim & Disneyland Hotels

Friends stayed at the Howard Johnson in Anaheim, and they thought that was good also. Both are what you might call average to budget hotels, but they are clean, close to Disneyland and buses to other theme parks do pick up from the hotels.
Disneyland -  Howard Johnson Anaheim - Disneyland Vacation - Disneyland Hotel - Anaheim Hotels

If you want to pay the big bucks for a room, go for it, but after a full day walking around the parks etc all you need is a bed.

Can't assit with Tokyo.

 

[chrisb]

Carousel Inn and Suites * Anaheim & Disneyland Hotels

Thanks for the recommendation for Anaheim - I might give that place a go.

I was actually chasing some advice for 'downtown' LA as well if anyone can help.

Chrisb.

 

[stryker]

As you only have a day in Tokyo, I suggest you stay at the Holiday Inn at Narita. It's very convenient to the airport (free shuttle) and reasonably priced.

As for sightseeing, Narita city itself is worth a couple of hours, with a fine example of a Shinto temple. If you want to go into Tokyo, the train will get you there in under an hour. However, with such a short time there, you would have to be very focussed as to what you wanted to do...

When in the Hollywood area, I usually stay in Burbank, as I sometimes fly out of the Bob Hope International airport there (it's really not that grand). There are many reasonable hotels in that area, just go to a hotel booking site such as expedia.com or bookings.org (or even hotel.de).

As for me, I usually use priceline.com, where you can name your own price, but cannot choose the hotel, only the classification (number of stars). It works well for me, and usually saves up to 50% off the rack rate.

 

[drron]

There is really not that much in downtown LA.It is also very easy to stroll into the wrong part of town.We once stayed in the Travelodge in hollywood-part of a deal where you got a weeks car hire and 7 nights at a Travelodge for $US7-well it was 25 years ago.Unfortunately all we heard were footsteps going up the stairs followed by sqeak,squeak,squeak nthen footsteps coming down the stairs repeated every 30 minutes.We left very early.
Really in the USA a car is the best way of seeing things.Even in LA if there are 2 of you in the car you can use the HOV lanes on the freeways and bypass the parking lots.From LA you could then go down to San Diego which has a lot going on.I would think of hiring a car in Anaheim and dropping it back at LAX.
Otherwise spend your time in Anaheim as there are tours to Tijuana,to Universal studios and also to the Mecca of shoppers(hopefully no fatwah for that comment)the outlet mall.Ontario Mills is where they take you from anaheim and it will amaze you.

 

[Hvr]

The same situation applies in Tokyo, but we'll only be there for 24hrs.

As you only have a day in Tokyo, I suggest you stay at the Holiday Inn at Narita. It's very convenient to the airport (free shuttle) and reasonably priced.

When are you going to be in Tokyo? I'm booked into the Narita Holiday Inn on 29 Jan and can give a trip report.

 

[chrisb]

When are you going to be in Tokyo? I'm booked into the Narita Holiday Inn on 29 Jan and can give a trip report.

Not for a few months so please do.

 

[annann]

Hi

I have stayed in both Anaheim & LA. Anaheim is a good base for exploring San Diego or Tijuana (a day trip from either Anaheim or LA)

Personally i wouldn't spend a lot of time in Anaheim expect to to the theme parks and maybe a day trip to Tijuana (I would only visit if you haven't been to "real" Mexico, though)

I did prefer LA. I have not been to the downtown area, but if this is a 1st time trip to LA then I would stay central. I normally stay at the Farmer's Daughter which is located opposite LA's fantastic farmer's market & grove shopping centre. It is a central point for visiting Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Santa Monica. I found using the bus very easy in visiting all these places.

Hope you have a great trip

Ann

 

[flyingzzzds]

I think where you want to stay in LA changes dramatically based on who you are travelling with (SO, children etc) and what you want to see/do.

I find LA to be spread out and expensive/difficult to transit around without a car so just concentrate on one area each trip. The LAX airport hotels are good if you want to spend time around southern LA. If going in to central LA, particularly with children in tow, then I recommend staying in the Universal Studios area - with the Sheraton or Hilton Universal being my picks. From here you have great access to Universal Studios and the City Walk area and can grab the metro 'subway' (as short as it is) directly into the Hollywood and Higland area for Grumans Chinese Theatre, Walk of Fame etc.

If you are looking more for nightlife/clubs and star spotting then West Hollywood is the area for you IMHO.

Would definitely recommend getting to the Farmers Market/Grove as well in LA - and go HUNGRY!

As for Tokyo - I agree with other posts that you are best off staying at a hotel near the airport and just taking the train into central Tokyo. Make sure you pick up an english version of the train map/timetable from the tourist information kiosks at the airport on your way in. I would add a visit to the Imperial Palace - or at least the gardens surrounding this along with the Shinto Shrine already mentioned. Be aware that train timetables and access to shrines etc change dramatically on Sundays.

 

[StevePER]

Another happy customer of the QF/NW or QF/AA combo?

One of my mates went to a very well known travel agent who quoted him about $3200 for his trip to the US with a couple of internal flights. With the help of the QF/NW combo he got it down to just under $2200. The aforementioned travel agent guarantees to beat this price so was not happy!

 

[flyer4703]

If you don't want to spend all your time at Anaheim, I would suggest staying at Santa Monica.
It is not to far from LAX and there are great restaurants and shopping around the 3rd St Promenade where the stores open late.
You are also close to LA beaches and Venice is walking distance.
I think it is one of the best places to stay in LA if you don't have a car
You can easily catch a bus to visit Hollywood, Beverly Hills or other attractions.
It is also reasonably close to the Getty Muesum.
Previous post suggesting the area around the Farmers Market is also worth considering much better than staying downtown where I very much doubt you would feel comfortable walking around after dark.

 

[Alanslegal]

Normally I use Reviews of vacations, hotels, resorts, vacation and travel packages - TripAdvisor to give me an idea on how good / bad a potential hotel is from previous travellers feedback / review / recommendations..... the site also gives you a hotel ranking (based on traveller's reviews) so when you choose a hotel, I usually start from top ranking and work downwards......comparing quality versus costs and location......

you may also try Hotwire.com: Discount airfare, hotel reservations, car rentals, vacation packages and cruises where you can purchase a hotel based on it's location and star rating but you are not be told of the hotel name UNTIL you pay for it..... however to overcome this I use Priceline and Hotwire Forum in conjuction with hotwire, where it gives you a very accurate idea of which hotel you are likely to receive based on the hotel ammeneties..........

oh and if you do plan to drive in LA, i'd recommend using a GPS.

 

[alect]

If you don't want to spend all your time at Anaheim, I would suggest staying at Santa Monica.
It is not to far from LAX and there are great restaurants and shopping around the 3rd St Promenade where the stores open late.
You are also close to LA beaches and Venice is walking distance.
I think it is one of the best places to stay in LA if you don't have a car
You can easily catch a bus to visit Hollywood, Beverly Hills or other attractions.
It is also reasonably close to the Getty Muesum.
Previous post suggesting the area around the Farmers Market is also worth considering much better than staying downtown where I very much doubt you would feel comfortable walking around after dark.

As a local I would second that. There are only very few areas in LA where you should stay if you won't have a car - Santa Monica, Fairfax district (Beverly Connection and The Grove area) and possibly Manhattan Beach. All of these have plenty of options within walking distance and are relatively "safe". You would not catch many Los Angelians walking through downtown at night. The advantage of Santa Monica is that they have a great bus network originating from there in case you do want to venture beyond that area (including express buses to downtown for a "day trip"). Really the only thing at Anaheim is Disneyland.

 

[drron]

I would third the suggestion of Santa Monica if you dont want to use a car.A good area with a lot of facilities.However a car does increase your options and I find driving in the states less stressful than at home.Also to get around I am technologically challenged so I use a $5 Walmart Atlas and have no problems.
As for Tokyo I would also suggest staying at Narita.I personally feel it is too much of a rush going into Tokyo for a day but many do seem to enjoy rushing around.
We stay at the Hilton in Narita and you can usually get a room there for between Y10000-16000.I think it is the quietest hotel at Narita and they do have a good shuttle bus service as well as the Y200 bus calling.The free shuttle into Narita town,crossing over the railway and walking down to the temple is reccomended.
If you are hilton gold or diamond you get breakfast,if not the shuttle into Narita town and there is a great deli across the road from the shuttle stop or again across the railway to maccas if you are suffering culture shock.

 

[HardieBoys]

I would also recommend Santa Monica as a base for LA for the reasons mentioned by others: the beach is OK, there are lots of shops, cafes and restaurants, and the public transport is good.

Not sure if you're at all interested, but in terms of Downtown attractions, the newish Walt Disney Hall, designed by Frank Gehry, is an amazing piece of architecture.

 

[chrisb]

Does anyone have any Santa Monica hotel suggestions?

I don't really know the area.

Thanks for all the advice.

Chrisb.

 

[alect]

Does anyone have any Santa Monica hotel suggestions?

I don't really know the area.

Thanks for all the advice.

Chrisb.

Step 1 - what's your budget? I have had many friends and colleagues stay at The Georgian and had good reviews. Also our corporate deal used to be with Le Merigot (Marriott)

 

[chrisb]

Step 1 - what's your budget? I have had many friends and colleagues stay at The Georgian and had good reviews. Also our corporate deal used to be with Le Merigot (Marriott)

We're trying to stick to ~ AUD$200/night.

Some flexibility is available...

Chrisb.

 

[flyer4703]

Santa Monica Hotels can be expensive and rates are always higher on weekends.
I have stayed at The Hotel Carmel an older style hotel in a great location, the rooms are very basic and it has a very slow lift but it is clean and safe.
The Holiday Inn is also in a good location but you would probably have to go slightly over your budget.
The Santa Monica Comfort Inn on Santa Monica Blvd is good value, you can probably get a room for about $150 a night but is a long way from the shopping and beach, realistically you probably need a car to stay here but with what you save on the room you could hire a car. They offer free self parking, so no valet to tip, or parking fees.
It is quite easy to get to most places you would want to see by driving along Santa Monica Blvd, and if you stay off the freeways driving in LA isn't too bad.
The Comfort Inn is usually my first choice.

 

[Cynicor]

Not to hijack the thread, but where would be good if one was looking to spend longer in Tokyo (3/4 days)? I would be most interested in shopping (all sorts of goods), nightlife and lots of eating. General suggestions on the best area would be great, as well as specific hotels.

Thanks


Jon M