Built in early 2010, this 878-room hotel offers a beautiful pool, great views from the rooftop bar, tons of meeting space, and plenty of restaurants. Although the L.A. Live Center is a huge hub in downtown Los Angeles (home to the Staples Center and Nokia Theater), the neighborhood is far from most other tourist attractions.
Built in early 2010, this 878-room hotel offers a beautiful pool, great views from the rooftop bar, tons of meeting space, and plenty of restaurants. Although the L.A. Live Center is a huge hub in downtown Los Angeles (home to the Staples Center and Nokia Theater), the neighborhood is far from most other tourist attractions.
Despite its name, the Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is actually in the East Village, just down the street from the historic Gaslamp Quarter, but this combines the best of both worlds: It's close to all the action but not overrun with noise from the nearby nightlife. The hip rooms have sophisticated bathrooms and good views of downtown. For the environmentally-conscious, it's the first LEED certified hotel in downtown San Diego with eco-friendly containers, low water consumption, and a green roof. It's also pet-friendly, with dog beds and treats. Like other hotels in the Indigo chain, work desks with extra outlets, Wi-Fi, and extensive meeting facilities make the hotel a good choice for business travelers.
Despite its name, the Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is actually in the East Village, just down the street from the historic Gaslamp Quarter, but this combines the best of both worlds: It's close to all the action but not overrun with noise from the nearby nightlife. The hip rooms have sophisticated bathrooms and good views of downtown. For the environmentally-conscious, it's the first LEED certified hotel in downtown San Diego with eco-friendly containers, low water consumption, and a green roof. It's also pet-friendly, with dog beds and treats. Like other hotels in the Indigo chain, work desks with extra outlets, Wi-Fi, and extensive meeting facilities make the hotel a good choice for business travelers.
From the entrance, the Le Merigot Santa Monica looks like a typical upscale chain hotel, but it has one unexpected perk: fast beach access from the swimming pool. The location is also walkable to a plethora of restaurants and shops, including the popular 3rd Street Promenade. Features include a full spa, modern fitness center, breakfast buffet, and French-inspired lunch and dinner restaurant. The 175 rooms are classic and contemporary, and some have balconies with ocean views. Note that there's a daily Destination fee (to cover beach gear and Wi-Fi) and valet parking also costs extra. Overall, this is an excellent and straightforward beach hotel. For something with a bit more character and social scene (but higher rates) check out Casa del Mar Hotel, just down the street.
From the entrance, the Le Merigot Santa Monica looks like a typical upscale chain hotel, but it has one unexpected perk: fast beach access from the swimming pool. The location is also walkable to a plethora of restaurants and shops, including the popular 3rd Street Promenade. Features include a full spa, modern fitness center, breakfast buffet, and French-inspired lunch and dinner restaurant. The 175 rooms are classic and contemporary, and some have balconies with ocean views. Note that there's a daily Destination fee (to cover beach gear and Wi-Fi) and valet parking also costs extra. Overall, this is an excellent and straightforward beach hotel. For something with a bit more character and social scene (but higher rates) check out Casa del Mar Hotel, just down the street.
The Hotel Wilshire, a Kimpton Boutique, is a chic, 74-room business-oriented hotel located near (but not in) Beverly Hills. Rooms have a modern design and up-to-date technology, and bathrooms shine with contemporary fixtures and Lather bath products. The hotel may not have much as far features -- there's no fitness center or spa -- there is a rooftop pool area with restaurant and bar, ample lounge space, and panoramic views of downtown and the Hollywood Hills. Since its transition to a Kimpton property in 2012, the hotel has added a bevy of new extras, including a nightly wine reception, animal print robes, in-room wellness services, free Wi-Fi for Kimpton InTouch members (a program which is free to join), pet-friendly practices, and the Kimpton EarthCare program, which garnered the hotel a Silver LEED certification.
The Hotel Wilshire, a Kimpton Boutique, is a chic, 74-room business-oriented hotel located near (but not in) Beverly Hills. Rooms have a modern design and up-to-date technology, and bathrooms shine with contemporary fixtures and Lather bath products. The hotel may not have much as far features -- there's no fitness center or spa -- there is a rooftop pool area with restaurant and bar, ample lounge space, and panoramic views of downtown and the Hollywood Hills. Since its transition to a Kimpton property in 2012, the hotel has added a bevy of new extras, including a nightly wine reception, animal print robes, in-room wellness services, free Wi-Fi for Kimpton InTouch members (a program which is free to join), pet-friendly practices, and the Kimpton EarthCare program, which garnered the hotel a Silver LEED certification.
The Hotel Figueroa underwent a two-year renovation and reopened in 2018. We will update our photographs and review as soon as possible.
The Hotel Figueroa underwent a two-year renovation and reopened in 2018. We will update our photographs and review as soon as possible.
The sleek and modern Custom Hotel is a mid-sized boutique near Los Angeles International Airport. It attracts business travelers who want to avoid nearby chain hotels while taking advantage of five custom lounges, contemporary rooms with a jet set vibe, and a heated swimming pool with lounge space and fire pit. The on-site Deck 33 Bar and Restaurant serves Pacific Rim style food and cocktails. There is a free shuttle to LAX and free Wi-Fi, but parking in the neighborhood is sparse and there is a daily valet parking fee.
The sleek and modern Custom Hotel is a mid-sized boutique near Los Angeles International Airport. It attracts business travelers who want to avoid nearby chain hotels while taking advantage of five custom lounges, contemporary rooms with a jet set vibe, and a heated swimming pool with lounge space and fire pit. The on-site Deck 33 Bar and Restaurant serves Pacific Rim style food and cocktails. There is a free shuttle to LAX and free Wi-Fi, but parking in the neighborhood is sparse and there is a daily valet parking fee.
Though last renovated in 2006, the 549-room Hilton Financial District still feels fresh, and its great beds, up-to-date tech, and nice bay views from select rooms make it great for business travelers -- and leisure guests that don't mind walking 10 minutes to get to the interesting dining and culture in Chinatown and North Beach.
Though last renovated in 2006, the 549-room Hilton Financial District still feels fresh, and its great beds, up-to-date tech, and nice bay views from select rooms make it great for business travelers -- and leisure guests that don't mind walking 10 minutes to get to the interesting dining and culture in Chinatown and North Beach.
The 136-room Creekside Inn along Matadero Creek in Palo Alto is a functional mid-range option. It looks a bit like a motel from the outside, but the property is pleasant, with tall, shady trees, ivy-covered pathways, and flowered grounds leading to a lovely courtyard with a round, stone fountain. Rooms are comfortable, with chain-like decor but nice amenities, including balconies, iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, and microwaves. The bathrooms are basic and clean, but could use an overhaul. The fitness center and pool are both small but useful, and the neighboring Driftwood Deli is convenient. One rare feature unique to the inn is a charging station for electric cars, an increasingly common site in eco-conscious California. The area around the hotel, which includes an auto repair shop, is more residential than it is quaint.
The 136-room Creekside Inn along Matadero Creek in Palo Alto is a functional mid-range option. It looks a bit like a motel from the outside, but the property is pleasant, with tall, shady trees, ivy-covered pathways, and flowered grounds leading to a lovely courtyard with a round, stone fountain. Rooms are comfortable, with chain-like decor but nice amenities, including balconies, iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, and microwaves. The bathrooms are basic and clean, but could use an overhaul. The fitness center and pool are both small but useful, and the neighboring Driftwood Deli is convenient. One rare feature unique to the inn is a charging station for electric cars, an increasingly common site in eco-conscious California. The area around the hotel, which includes an auto repair shop, is more residential than it is quaint.
This mid-sized property has large, modern rooms and a location close to tourist attractions, but the location in the gritty Tenderloin can be a downside for many. (The Cova even runs a shuttle to Union Square, which is only a 15-minute walk away.) Nonetheless, the venue offers budget-friendly value for its amenities, which include a free breakfast at the adjoining bistro. For travelers who feel iffy about the neighborhood, Hotel Fusion is closer to Union Square and has similar rates, while deals can sometimes be found at other properties like the Handlery as well.
This mid-sized property has large, modern rooms and a location close to tourist attractions, but the location in the gritty Tenderloin can be a downside for many. (The Cova even runs a shuttle to Union Square, which is only a 15-minute walk away.) Nonetheless, the venue offers budget-friendly value for its amenities, which include a free breakfast at the adjoining bistro. For travelers who feel iffy about the neighborhood, Hotel Fusion is closer to Union Square and has similar rates, while deals can sometimes be found at other properties like the Handlery as well.
El Encanto is a gorgeous historic landmark in the hills overlooking Santa Barbara and the ocean beyond. It underwent a long, expensive renovation that preserved its character while adding modern perks to luxury bungalows, like automatic espresso machines and bathrooms with heated floors. The spa is beautifully done, and even the fitness center has aesthetic appeal with cardio machines set under an arbor on a brick patio. Active guests can hop on free rental bikes to get around. For everything else, expect to pay during a stay here -- a breakfast burrito costs as much as buffets at less storied hotels.
El Encanto is a gorgeous historic landmark in the hills overlooking Santa Barbara and the ocean beyond. It underwent a long, expensive renovation that preserved its character while adding modern perks to luxury bungalows, like automatic espresso machines and bathrooms with heated floors. The spa is beautifully done, and even the fitness center has aesthetic appeal with cardio machines set under an arbor on a brick patio. Active guests can hop on free rental bikes to get around. For everything else, expect to pay during a stay here -- a breakfast burrito costs as much as buffets at less storied hotels.