Anyone heard of the Magic Castle hotel?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here, thank you! I initially booked in Santa Monica and then recent reviews said the area felt seedy. So now I’m not sure what to do 😆 I will look at Andaz and at the WB tour, too, thank you!

Santa Monica is very seedy - cannot believe so many are recommending it. West Hollywood is good, as is Culver City - near Sony Pictures Studios and Culver Studios. (We stayed there and saw Jason Alexander at the local coffee shop.) Tour of Sony is worthwhile, and there are some good outdoor activities near there. West Hollywood is near the Grove and lots of good shopping. Someone else recommended the Andaz, which I would second (it used to be the Riot Hyatt, with lots of famous bands staying there over the years. When we stayed at the Andaz there was a rooftop party going on and we saw many famous people in the elevator). Very close to Chateau Marmont.

We stayed in Culver City last time we were there, it's very conveniently located if you are going to a wide range of spots in the area. Were within walking distance of the shopping area and that was nice to grab dinner and walk home. Also a light rail stop there that you can take to Santa Monica if you don't want to hassle with driving / parking there.

Santa Monica is sketchy but not West Hollywood? LOL!!!

Skid row

The Getty has amazing views but I prefer the art at the LACMA (YMMV)

Super helpful all, thank you! I will reserve the Getty — they surprisingly like art museums (just not me 😆). Thanks again!

Longtime foremer LA residient here. Santa Monica is nice for a half day to walk on the boardwalk (briefly) and see the ocean. You could do that for a bit and then go to the Abbott Kinney neighorhood in Venice, which has great boutiques and restuarants (our fave is Gjelina). I would stay somewhere is West Hollywood -- the Palishouse Hotel is gorgeous, and your kids will love the cool shops on Third Street and Melrose Ave. Don't miss lunch at Joan's On Third for lunch. I'll echo the PP's warning about Hollywood Blvd--it's really junky and not worth it to see a bunch of stars in the sidewalk! Last time we visited, we went to the Grammy Museum and LOVED it. There's also a Academy Award museum, which I haven't been to but sounds fun. If they can tolerate art museums, the Getty is gorgeous (need to reserve in advance). Have a great trip!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here, thank you! I initially booked in Santa Monica and then recent reviews said the area felt seedy. So now I’m not sure what to do 😆 I will look at Andaz and at the WB tour, too, thank you!

Santa Monica is very seedy - cannot believe so many are recommending it. West Hollywood is good, as is Culver City - near Sony Pictures Studios and Culver Studios. (We stayed there and saw Jason Alexander at the local coffee shop.) Tour of Sony is worthwhile, and there are some good outdoor activities near there. West Hollywood is near the Grove and lots of good shopping. Someone else recommended the Andaz, which I would second (it used to be the Riot Hyatt, with lots of famous bands staying there over the years. When we stayed at the Andaz there was a rooftop party going on and we saw many famous people in the elevator). Very close to Chateau Marmont.

We stayed in Culver City last time we were there, it's very conveniently located if you are going to a wide range of spots in the area. Were within walking distance of the shopping area and that was nice to grab dinner and walk home. Also a light rail stop there that you can take to Santa Monica if you don't want to hassle with driving / parking there.

If your kids are hipsters or wanna be hipsters, try an airbnb with a pool in Silver Lake.

We stayed at the Garland for part of our trip last summer and we all loved it. Close to Universal Studios if you are planning on going there (and if so I HIGHLY recommend the VIP tour, which is a great value!!).

We stayed in SM a few months ago and didn’t find it seedy at all. A little seedy around Venice, sure. We’ve stayed in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills in prior trips but prefer Santa Monica because we both like to run/bike and SM is just fantastic for that. We always go to Musso & Franks in Hollywood and that area for sure is seedy. Getting to inland areas from SM is a pain as others have said. But for me, worth it.

Anonymous wrote:Is the Fairmont Santa Monica seedy now? Going there in Jan with my son.

What do people mean by seedy? Is it not where you can celeb gazes anymore? Forgot the place that was famous for this.

We stayed in Santa Monica with a friend a couple of weeks ago -- I thought the general neighborhood was lovely and walking on the beach each morning was fantastic. The pier it kitschy but that is to be expected. We had drinks at Shutters which is not at all seedy. It was a pain to drive back into LA to get places, though.

Anonymous wrote:Op here, thank you! I initially booked in Santa Monica and then recent reviews said the area felt seedy. So now I’m not sure what to do 😆 I will look at Andaz and at the WB tour, too, thank you!

Santa Monica is very seedy - cannot believe so many are recommending it. West Hollywood is good, as is Culver City - near Sony Pictures Studios and Culver Studios. (We stayed there and saw Jason Alexander at the local coffee shop.) Tour of Sony is worthwhile, and there are some good outdoor activities near there. West Hollywood is near the Grove and lots of good shopping. Someone else recommended the Andaz, which I would second (it used to be the Riot Hyatt, with lots of famous bands staying there over the years. When we stayed at the Andaz there was a rooftop party going on and we saw many famous people in the elevator). Very close to Chateau Marmont.