Perfect place to stay – whether for just one night en route to/from somewhere, or for a few days if you want to discover LA.
The rooms are small, but nicely decorated and comfortable. I have to agree with one other reviewer that the beds are great! Try and ask for a room overlooking the courtyard with the swimming pool – the view is nicer.
We enjoyed sitting out on the loungers by the poolside and a swim – the water was very cold though.
There is a shop, which sells souvenirs, cold drinks, some toiletries and postcards.
The business centre has access to the internet – expensive. Access via TV from the room was appalling – next to impossible to navigate because of the resolution and connectivity speed.
It is very quiet at night despite the fact that people are checking in and out throughout the night – everything is well organised.
For food we tried the sports’ bar and the steak restaurant on the premises of the hotel – both excellent on service, quality of food and presentation! Breakfast is served in the main restaurant and it is fantastic! The menu choice is wide and service is simply exceptional.
The concierge desk operatives are very helpful and knowledgeable. We booked a couple of tours through the hotel. They pick up right outside the front door and bring you back in the evening. Universal Studios tour was good, but the LA by night we would not recommend. We were picked up at the Universal and driven to the Walk of Fame and the Kodak Theatre, dropped off there for 40 minutes with barely an explanation of what to look for and where to go – it was scary and disappointing – the area is poorly lit, there is lots of scaffolding surrounding the buildings, tacky tourist shops selling cheap T-shirts, etc. Then we continued to Rodeo Drive – what an anti-climax that was as well. The guide kept pointing out brand names of designer shops along the way and got overly excited when he spotted a Ferrari parked in front of one of the restaurants… LA lights looked so beautiful in the distance while we were driving through the higher parts of the city, the tour could have been so much more interesting and exciting.
There is a bus stop very close to the hotel and during the day you can get to Manhattan Beach (worthwhile outing), Santa Monica and the CBD very easily.
From Santa Monica half an hour’s stroll will take you to Venice Beach. Coffee or even lunch at Beachside Café is superb. And don’t miss the canals strolling through the back streets off Venice Beach – not the real thing (Venice, Italy), but nevertheless an interesting interlude. Santa Monica is well groomed and organised. Monsoon café is a gem if you want to be wowed by décor and delicious food.
If we ever return to LA, Marriott LAX will be our choice to stay!











