going to be in LA on May 5th to 9th

[maverickdrinker]

Stopping in LA for a few days on my way back from a conference in Hawaii.

My wife and 18 month old son will be meeting me there. Wondering if anyone had suggestions on where to stay. My wife would like to stay by the beach as this will be my son's first time seeing and playing in the ocean. A hotel kid friendly and close to the beach would be ideal. Are there any affordable hotels?

Would also like to meet up one night for some cigars and meet some BOTL if possible?

Would also welcome some suggestions on where to go/what to do in LA that is kid friendly? I went years ago when I was single and that was a very different trip.

Does the LAX airport have porters to help with luggage? My wife and child are meeting me there and would need help with luggage. If so, anyone know the cost?

Finally, wondering if anyone knew of any great car rental deals?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions and recommendations.

[sblevit]

A few hotel suggestions:

Casa del Mar in Santa Monica

Farimont in Santa Monica

Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach (if I was planning on spending a lot of time at the beach, this is where I would stay)

I could meet up for cigars towards the end of your trip.

LAX does not have porters.

Feel free to PM with any more questions.

[smll2]

A buddy/client of mine's family owns this hotel in Santa Monica overlooking the ocean on Ocean Avenue. There is a bar upstairs on the roof that could be made availalbe if enough folks would join in...I think.

Either way I could try and get you a great room with a view...and a good price. Let me know if this is of interest. They did huge multi million dollar renovation a couple of years ago.

Tom

http://www.shangrila-hotel.com/

[sg1234]

Sorry, I don't know of any family friendly venues in LA, but PM sent on meeting for a smoke.

[maverickdrinker]

thanks for the hotel suggestions. Will discuss with my wife and get back to everyone. I arrive on Saturday at 9pm. Will have to check what our itinerary is for the week before I make any plans.

Thanks again for the help

A

[sblevit]

Also keep in mind that it may not be beach weather when you are here. It's likely to be in the low 70s when you are here, which to most people is barely passable for beach weather. So definitely come up with alternative things to do during the day. A few suggestions:

1. Day trip to Santa Barbara (avoid rush hours or it will take 4ever)

2. Dodgers game

3. Tourist bus around Hollywood (you see these everywhere in LA)

4. Shopping on Rodeo Drive in Bev Hills (kids may not dig this)

5. Getty Museum (kids also not likely to dig)

[maverickdrinker]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I would be interested in staying in the Shanglia-La. can you pm me some rates?

The wife is interested in the open air tour bus of Hollywood, Beverly Hills and wants to stop at Rodeo Drive (OH NO!!!!!)

Hopefully, I can firm up what she wants to do and then start to plan some cigar get togethers.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

[ramon_cojones]

By the beach I would echo casa del mar and fairmont miramar and add the huntley in brentwood which is nearby.

You will have to drive a bit to stay close to the action in bh etc so consider four seasons, regent beverly wilshire, l'hermitage, the london, thompson hotel, beverly hills hotel and there is a nice boutique hotel called the Mosaic that has very fair rates and in central bev hills.

Take the kids to the LA Zoo or griffith park observatory.

For rentals there are a lot of small lots, I just use Enterprise as they always give me a good deal when I'm going out of town.