Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
101
parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $21; self-park ing $16.
Amenities:
Casual indoor/out-
door r estaurant; bab ysitting; c oncierge; ex ecutive-level r ooms; health club; Jacuzzi; out door pool .
In
room:
A/C, TV, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (first 45 min. per day free, then $9.95 per day).
INEXPENSIVE
Best Western Mikado Hotel
This Asian-flav ored gar den hotel has been a Valley
fixture for 40-plus years. A 1999 renovation muted but didn't obliterate the kitsch value,
which extends from the pagoda-style exterior to the sushi bar (the Valley's oldest) across
the driveway. Two-story motel buildings face two w ell-maintained courtyards, one with
a koi pond and wooden footbridge, the other with a shimmering blue-tiled pool and hot
tub. The face-lift stripped most of the Asian vibe fr om guest rooms, which are suitably
comfortable and well outfitted. Furnished in 1970s-era chic (leather sofas, ear th tones),
the one-bedr oom apar tment is a steal, with enormous r
ooms and a full-siz e kitchen.
Rates include a full breakfast.
12600 Riverside Dr. (btw. Whitsett and C oldwater Canyon), North Hollywood, CA 91607.
&
800/780-
7234
or 818/763-9141. F ax 818/752-1045. w ww.bestwestern.com/mikadohotel. 58 units . $129-$159
double; $250 1-bedr oom apar tment. R ates include full br eakfast. Ex tra person $10. Childr en 11 and
under stay free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Free parking.
Amenities:
Japanese restaurant and
sushi bar; cocktail lounge; Jacuzzi; outdoor pool.
In room:
A/C, TV, hair dryer, Wi-Fi (free).
7
PASADENA & ENVIRONS
East of Downtown, Pasadena is serene, well-preserved, and architecturally rich. It's close
via freeway to both Hollywood and Valley attractions—but forget about basing y ourself
here if you plan to spend your days at the beach and your nights trolling West Hollywood
nightclubs. Those who like a quieter scene will enjo y Pasadena's more bucolic range of
accommodations, and the dining and shopping scene stands on its o wn. Now with the
new Metro Gold Line running from Downtown right through Old Town Pasadena and
all points east, accessibility to L.A. 's best neighborhoods (without having to deal with
traffic) is increasingly easier.
5
VERY EXPENSIVE
Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa
Originally built in 1906, the opulent
Huntington Hotel was one of America 's grandest hotels, but not the most ear thquake-
proof. No matter—the hotel was rebuilt and opened on the same spot in 1991, and the
astonishing authenticity (including reinstallation of many decorative features) even fools
patrons from the resort's early days. This Spanish-Mediterranean beauty sits on 23 spec-
tacularly landscaped acres that seem a world apart from L.A., though Downtown is only
20 minutes away. The Langham group took over this former Ritz Carlton in 2008, and
there have been some slight renovations, but subtle: Each oversize guest room is conser-
vatively dressed, with Frette linens, and lots of natural light. Spend a few extra dollars on
a Club Level room, which features CD players, morning coffee delivered with your wake-
up call, and access to the club lounge with dedicated concierge and complimentar y
gourmet spr eads all day (including br eakfast). The 12,000-squar e-foot full-ser vice spa
makes this ideal place for a pampering getaway . Guests and locals enjo y the casual ele-
gance and chef Craig Strong's stellar cuisine in
The Dining Room;
the more California-
style
Terrace Restaurant
ser ves meals at umbr ella-covered tables b y the O lympic-size
pool (Southern California's first), and hosts a popular w eekend brunch buffet.
