West Hollywood One Of The Coolest Areas To Stay In Los Angeles
Jeff Gunn
West Hollywood is one of the coolest and best places to stay in LA. It is one of the most fashionable parts of town known for its high-end boutiques and independent vintage shops. Here, youll also find a great variety of home décor stores and fabulous fitness studios.
A bit about West Hollywood: its built on a grid of wide and lush boulevards and is easy to walk around. West Hollywood is also a hub for the LGBTQ communities and Hollywood up-and-comers, since its close to Beverly Hills.
Its colourful farmers market and world-class restaurants are great for sampling delicious dishes, sipping exotic drinks, and spotting a celebrity or two. West Hollywood is the best part of LA to stay in tune with the decadent, gauche Hollywood spirit.
Why Visit La With Kids
I know youre wondering if LA is a good place for kids and why its worth visiting!
Our opinion of Los Angeles was always that it was overrated, and the main reason to visit would be for a theme park trip to Disneyland.
Otherwise it was one big sprawl of a city with horrible traffic, average weather, expensive, and no real community or soul.
And we could never understand why people would choose to live there?
But on our recent visit on our one year USA road trip, weve finally discovered an appreciation for the City of Los Angeles and have found what people find so attractive about it.
It has a vibrant and relaxed beach culture, outstanding natural beauty, unique and fun attractions, fantastic street art, lots of glamour and sparkle, different neighborhoods with distinct personalities, and an incredible diversity of flavorful food.
Hard Rock Hotel At Universal Orlando
Category: DeluxeUniversal Orlando Hotel: Yes
What I like: Hard Rock hotels typically dont have a kid-friendly vibe but many families stay in this one.
Immerse yourself in a world of glamour, music, and wild fun at the Hard Rock Hotel Orlando. With the electrifying Sound of Your Stay experience, you can rent a Fender guitar to rock out in your room or jam to an iconic collection of vinyl records on your own authentic Crosley turntable.
Whether you rent a private cabana to lounge in the shade or take the kids to play on Hard Rocks poolside sand beach, youll be able to enjoy the latest and greatest music hits all day long.
Going for a dip in the 12,000-square foot swimming pool? The underwater sound system keeps the music flowing so that you never miss a beat.
Or, plunge into the water on the 260-square-foot water slide. Other poolside family activities include a DJ and outdoor games like ping pong.
This best Orlando family hotel even has a supervised kids club and a kids area to make going out to eat fun in The Kitchen restaurant.
Reservations: Yes, its a Hard Rock but youll book this one through Loews.com or shop vacation packages.
Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel: Yes
What I like: This is one of the best Orlando resorts for families because it is ALL two-bedroom and three-bedroom suites!
Each suite houses a full kitchen, a master bath with a walk-in shower and jacuzzi tub, and even a washer and dryer.
Reservations: Book direct or check prices across top sites.
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Where To Stay In La
Los Angeles opens up Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, museums, Santa Monica Pier, weather is warm, soft sandy beaches beckon.
Los Angeles is a big city, and spread out over a large area.
Before before making hotel reservations in the Los Angeles area, plan things your family would like to do, depending on kids age and interests.
Does your family want to visit the theme parks, such as Disneyland or Universal Studios, stay at the beach, see unique museums such as La Brea Tar Pits and Petersen Automotive Museum, or just come to a city thats warm and sunny ?
On Travel for Kids, we have four different lists of hotels for families:
We research our hotels lists from first hand experience, descriptions include amenities for families, such as rooms that sleep 6, babysitting can be arranged, coin-operated laundry, on-site restaurants with childrens menu. Most importantly, all Los Angeles area hotels have a swimming pool.
Traveling infants and toddlers, staying in hotels proximate to Santa Monica and is perfect. Take your sand toys, towels and sunscreen, and theyre happy to spend the day at the beach.
With older kids and teens heading Universal Studios, stay near the theme park in Universal City or Hollywood. Hollywood is also close to Griffith Park, with the mini train and pony ride for little ones, Los Angeles Zoo, and Giffith Observatory.
Santa Monica: Best Place To Stay Near The Beach
If you want to be close to the beach, the answer is Santa Monica. Plus, its on the west side of the city, which means getting around the city will be just a tad easier thanks to the reverse commute .
This beachside neighborhood is a destination in its own right, boasting a mix of celebrities, surfers, and hippies who call this place home. While most people come here solely for the beach, and it is an amazing beach, there are plenty of other things to do in the area.
The famous Santa Monica Pier is a bustling attraction with arcades, shops, outdoor cinemas, and live music. Just underneath it is an aquarium which hosts educational talks and hands-on activities that are perfect for families.
Santa Monica can be an expensive area to stay if you are on a budget, nearby Venice Beach is more cost-effective .
Alternatively, if you want to just spend a day here, you can actually catch a train from Downtown LA!
Pros and Cons of Staying in Santa Monica
Pros: The beach! Youll be within walking distance of the best beach in LA. The Farmers Market in Santa Monica is AWESOME too. The stretch along Montana Avenue is one of our favorite stretches in LA, with all sorts of bars, restaurants, and shopping that is worth a visit.
Santa Monica Highlights
Where to Stay in Santa Monica
However, there are a couple of beachfront hotels that are worth looking at. But youll be paying for it. Hotels in Santa Monica are expensive since its such an in-demand place to stay.
The Georgian Hotel
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Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek
Category: ModerateTheme Park Hotel Affiliations: No
What I like: Family bunk beds are always a plus in addition to a robust swimming pool area.
Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort is famous for its incredible spa services and Deep Blu Seafood Grill. Dive into the hotels five swimming pools, two lazy rivers, and dual splash pads, or tee off at the private mini-golf course.
The renowned Blue Harmony Spa is ready to pamper you with full-body treatments, massage therapy, manicures, and so much more.
Located on over 500 acres of stunning Florida woodlands, Wyndham Grand Orlando is only a free shuttle ride away from your favorite Walt Disney World theme parks.
Reservations: Book the Wyndham Rewards member rate at a discount.
La Brea Coolest Place To Stay In Hollywood
La Brea is one of the trendiest areas in Los Angeles! It is actually just a two-block district, right in mid-city Los Angeles. It was known for its furniture stores and art galleries until the economic crash in 2008 when many of the shops had to close.
It wasnt until 2012 that the area got a shot of energy by investors and today, there are dozens of fabulous new restaurants and boutiques popping up left and right. La Brea is hands down one of the coolest places to stay in Hollywood!
La Brea is home to some of the most delicious and trendiest restaurants that leave us positively drooling. From the Yucatan bowls at the Sycamore Kitchen, to the Snake River wagyu tri-tip at Odys + Penelope, to the shakshuka at Republique La Brea is a foodies dream.
There are also some incredible boutiques which promise shoppers a truly unique shopping experience, including testing out winter clothing items inside an actual walk-in freezer at AETHER Apparel. Were serious. Now do you believe us when we say that La Brea is one of the coolest places to stay in Hollywood?
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Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel
It is one of the hottest picks if you are searching for a kid-friendly hotel in the city of Los Angeles. The hotel offers complimentary shuttle service for pick up from the Los Angeles International Airport, which is located at a short distance from here. If you are one of those outdoorsy families, your kids are simply going to take a lot of interest in the hotelâs outdoor heated pool, as well as, the sitting area next to it. You can also take them to two of the famous beaches in the city â Manhattan Beach and Venice Beach.
Where To Stay In Los Angeles In The Heart Of Tinseltown
Visitors wanting to be in the heart of Hollywood will find an abundance of places to stay along Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, many of which cater to children and families, including the famed Beverly Hills Hotel. The location is ideal for sightseeing. It’s near many of the most famed locations in Los Angeles, including Melrose Boulevard and Rodeo Drive, and the nearby Hollywood Walk of Fame. West Hollywood is also convenient to Universal Studios Hollywood in nearby Universal City.
You can still access the beach from these areas. The Big Bus Los Angeles tour has a Beach Loop from Beverly Gardens Park that drops you off at the Santa Monica Pier. Plus, you can use the bus to see other iconic sights around Los Angeles.
There are closer accommodations to Universal Studios, including two mid-priced hotels on property that offer shuttle service: the Hilton Universal City and the Sheraton Universal Hotel. Both are a short walk to the entrance of Universal Studios and CityWalk. The Sheraton is a little further away and down a steep hill, but you can take the shuttle.
Here are more helpful resources on where to stay in Los Angeles if you’re visiting Disneyland:
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Discover Manhattan And Hermosa Beaches
We tell all of our Australian to head to the South Bay beaches of Manhattan and Hermosa, which are not far from LAX.
These beach towns are two of the best places in Los Angeles that offer a local vibe and feel, especially compared to the over touristy Santa Monica, and Venice.
If you enjoy beach volleyball, then Manhattan Beach and Hermosa are the best places to visit in Los Angeles to have a friendly game. In fact, they call Manhattan Beach the Volleyball Capital of the World.
We love to ride along the beach promenade between Manhattan Pier and Hermosa Pier . Its one of our fave family activities in Los Angeles.
Where To Stay In Los Angeles For Luxury
For the best hotels in Los Angeles, you can’t beat Beverly Hills. In a lush residential area about five minutes by car from the designer stores of Rodeo Drive, the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills exudes elegance and sophistication. You can enjoy pampering packages at the hotel’s luxe spa or in a poolside cabana, and dining is equally extravagant. Feast on modern Italian cuisine in the hotel’s restaurant or enjoy breakfast amid lemon trees and hummingbirds on a sun-dappled patio. If you want to experience some of the top things to do in LA, the hotel’s Rolls Royce shuttle will whisk you at will anywhere within a two-mile radius.
Surrounded by lush gardens, The Peninsula Beverly Hills is one of the top hotels in Los Angeles. If you’re wondering where you can stay in Los Angeles for a one night splurge, this is the place. Choose from a range of unique experiences such as the Young Chefs Academy and private piano lessons with a famous pianist. Other perks include an elegant afternoon tea, rooftop garden, and luxury spa. Sumptuous guest rooms and villas come with features like chandeliers, oriental rugs, garden-view balconies or patios, fireplaces, and fresh flowers.
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Head Down To Hollywood
Hey, its the land of the talking pictures. Your children love talking pictures, so theyll be delighted to reside in the shadow of the Hollywood Sign. Tell them your name is engraved on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and watch them spend an afternoon looking for it. Yes, yes, my high school nickname was Sylvester Stallone, thats me, youll tell them. Take them through all the movie hullabaloo and then spend an afternoon on the rides of Universal Studios to get eaten by the dinosaurs from Jurassic Park.
Kombucha, Plum Guide home in Hollywood, Los Angeles
Hike Malibu Creek State Park
Malibu Creek State Park is such a hidden treasure of Los Angeles and California. There was only two other people there when we visited. Its like wondering into the wilderness of Southeast Asia. Oh wait, scenes form Mash were filmed here!
The park was formerly owned by 20th Century Fox Studios and has been seen all over the world in movies and television shows, and is L.A.s most spectacular park!
Theres over 8,000 acres of rolling tall grass plains, oak savannahs, and opportunities for mountain biking, fishing, rock climbing and horseback riding.
We combined our visit with a coastal drive from Malibu into Santa Monica which is part of the Pacific Coast Highway. You can check out Malibu Beach while in this area, which many say is one of the top beaches in California, but I beg to differ.
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What Is There To Do In La For Families
It doesnt matter your childs interests, there is an attraction for them in LA.
Kalyra, our eldest, has acting dreams so it was exciting to help fuel that dream for her! Both our girls also love theme parks, so weve included them in visits to LA.
Nearby you have Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knotts Berry Farm, and Universal Studios to get your roller coaster, and Ferris Wheel fixes)
This visit we got some great insider tips from locals that live with kids in Los Angeles and from other family travelers and embraced the sprawling metropolis.
And we loved the excitement of visiting LA with the girls for the first time and exploring the world of Hollywood with them.
This trip to LA just felt different. We had more time, which allowed us to discover LA at a slower pace which is always nicer with kids, especially in a city this size as sightseeing in LA can be overwhelming.
Nite Inn At Universal City
If you and your family are on the hunt for the best family hotels near Universal Studios, Hollywood, then the Nite Inn at Universal City is a perfect choice. The Nite Inn is located near numerous restaurants and cafes and is only a 15 minute to the entry of Universal Studios or a three-minute walk to the free shuttle service.
There are several room configurations to choose from, but larger families will appreciate the connecting suite featuring three large double beds and a sofa bed. Alternatively, other suites have bedding configurations, such as two large double beds and some suites containing an additional sofa bed. All rooms come with air-conditioning, a refrigerator and microwave, WIFI, TV and complimentary breakfast.
The Nite Inn also provides free onsite parking and a complimentary breakfast.
Just note that the Nite Inn is not located near any other attractions and is only convenient for visiting Universal Studios. So if you plan to visit other LA attractions, it would be best to stay elsewhere and catch transport to Universal Studios. However, if youâre only in town to visit Universal Studios and looking for reasonably priced family suites near Universal Studios, Hollywood, then this is a great option.
Why We Love it?
Within walking distance to Universal Studios, plus it can accommodate large families.
Whatâs Not to Love?
Summary
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Surestay Hotel By Best Western Beverley Hills West La
Another good hotel for families that prefer to stay central to all the tourist attractions in LA is the SureStay Hotel by Best Western Beverley Hills. The SureStay Hotel is only a 5-minute walk from the Grove and the famous farmers markets and only three blocks from Melrose Avenue and 5kms from all the Hollywood tourist attractions.
The hotel rooms at SureStay can accommodate families of up to four people. Each hotel room comes with two large double beds and includes a microwave, TV, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities and WIFI. The hotel also provides a complimentary breakfast and onsite parking.
Why We Love it?
Being able to walk to the Grove definitely makes this one of the best hotels for families in Los Angeles coming to town for shopping!
Whatâs Not to Love?
This is not one of the best LA hotels for families to walk to all the top LA tourist attractions, but it is central enough to easily reach them all by car or Uber.
Summary
For family holidays to Los Angeles, the SureStay Hotel is an excellent option if youâd rather not stay in the centre of Hollywood but would still like to be reasonably central to all the LA tourist attractions. From here you are also within walking distance of shops and places to eat.