Where to Stay - Los Angeles 2010 - page 74

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beach and surroundings. Stay elsewhere if you don't relish the party-hearty human carni-
val of Venice Beach.
1697 Pacific Ave. (at 17th Ave.), Venice, CA 90291. & 800/786-7789 or 310/452-1111. Fax [phone].
www.joiedevivre.com. 88 units. $189-$309 double; $209-$429 suite. Children 18 and under stay free in
parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet $22. Amenities: Restaurant; bar. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, hair
dryer, MP3 docking station, Wi-Fi (free).

Inn at Venice B each Kids This cheer y motel at the (r elatively) quiet r esidential
south end of Venice is a good choice for trav elers who want a near-the-beach, near-the-
boardwalk location without being at the center of the fray . Rooms are cheerily color ful
(lots of blues and y ellows); open-beam ceilings add to the spacious feel. All r ooms over-
look a cobblestone cour tyard, where complimentary continental br eakfast is ser ved on
warm mornings. I t all adds up to a r easonable value for budget-minded trav elers (the
bi-level loft suites are a great value if there are more than two of you). Because the hotel
is just 3 blocks from the ocean on the border between Venice and Marina del Rey, there's
an endless parade of people exploring the marina, the beach, or the near y canals on foot,
bike, or in-line skates (rentals are 2 blocks away). About the only thing missing is a pool,
but the staff will lend y ou beach towels for an ocean dip.
327 Washington Blvd., Venice, CA 90291. & 800/828-0688 or 310/821-2557. F ax 310/827-0289. w ww.
innatvenicebeach.com. 43 units . $135-$179 double; $219 suit e. Extra person $10. R ates include c onti-
nental breakfast. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Parking $4. Amenities: Exercise room. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, hair
dryer, Wi-Fi (free).
Sea Shore Motel Value Located in the heart of Santa Monica's Main Street dining and
shopping sector, this small, friendly, family-run motel is one of the best bargains near the
beach. The Sea Shore is such a well-kept secret that most denizens of stylish Main Street are
unaware of the incredible value in their midst. Arranged around a parking courtyard, rooms
are small and unremarkable from the outside, but the conscientious management has done
a nice job with the interiors, installing 27-inch flatscr een HDTVs, attractiv e terra-cotta
floor tiles, granite counter tops, and conv eniences like v oice mail and data-jack phones.
Complete with a living r oom and full kitchen, the 800-squar e-foot suites that sleep up to
six are a phenomenal deal; book them as far in adv ance as possible. With a full slate of
restaurants out the front door and the Santa Monica Pier and beach just a couple of blocks
away, it's a terrific bargain base for exploring the sandy side of the city .
2637 Main St. (south of Ocean Park Blvd.), Santa Monica, CA 90405. & 310/392-2787. Fax [phone].
www.seashoremotel.com. 24 units . $110-$145 double; $160-$260 suit e. Extra person $5. Childr en 11
and under stay free in parent's room. AE, DISC, MC, V. Free parking. Pets accepted ($10). Amenities: Deli.
In room: TV, fridge, Wi-Fi (free).

5

ACCOMMODATIONS NEAR LAX
Expensive
Westin Los Angeles Airport This massive 12-story hotel stands a cut above the
rest, thanks to an inv ention that borders on miracle status: Westin's own Heavenly Bed.
Touted as “10 layers of heaven”—from the custom pillow-top mattress to the fluffy down
comforter and a family of pillo ws—the Heavenly Bed is the best hotel bed in the busi-
ness. The like-ne w r ooms ar e nicely outfitted in chain-standar d style, and some hav e
balconies (don't expect anything resembling a view). All of the conveniences are on hand,
including a free airport shuttle and a very nice pool and fitness center.
5400 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. & 800/937-8461 or 310/216-5858. F ax 310/417-4545.
www.westin.com/losangelesairport. 740 units. $189-$299 double; from $349 suite. Discounted rates can