Los Angeles Master Thread

[Yehoshua]

whats the nicest hotel to stay in la ? sls ? 10minute drive to shul ok

For SPG, SLS.

[milechazzer]

I've been lookin into SPGs and Hyatts (on points) for a family trip, with the hope of finding an option with adjoining rooms, that allows a rollaway to be added. The problem I've been encountering is that most of the hotels in LA don't allow rollaways into a room that has two beds, and some of the hotels (like the W Westwood) doesn't seem to even have rooms that come with two beds. As an alternative, I've been looking at upgraded rooms or suites in any of these hotels that might have more beds or a rollaway option, but even with the suites they don't seem to allow more beds (because of their occupancy limits), and the larger suites are either not available on points, or much too pricey. In the central area, the Andaz wasn't available on points (and wouldn't accomodate a rollaway anyway) and the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza also would not accomodate rollaways. With the SPG hotels, the W Hollywood is sold out, the SLS doesn't allow rollaways and the suites seem to be ridiculously overprice (in points), I was told the W Westwood has only one king bed in its rooms, and the Le Meridien in Santa Monica also doesn't do rollaways. The SPGs in the Downtown area tend to have even smaller rooms, so less options for rollaways (and the location is not as convenient).

Has anyone encountered similiar issues, and come up with any viable option/solution?  I also looked at Residence Inn through Marriott, but they seem to be very poor value for points (35k/nt), especially if I'm transfering 1:1 from Chase UR. (Is there any way to get better value on a points transfer to Marriott?)

[Yehoshua]

I've been lookin into SPGs and Hyatts (on points) for a family trip, with the hope of finding an option with adjoining rooms, that allows a rollaway to be added. The problem I've been encountering is that most of the hotels in LA don't allow rollaways into a room that has two beds, and some of the hotels (like the W Westwood) doesn't seem to even have rooms that come with two beds. As an alternative, I've been looking at upgraded rooms or suites in any of these hotels that might have more beds or a rollaway option, but even with the suites they don't seem to allow more beds (because of their occupancy limits), and the larger suites are either not available on points, or much too pricey. In the central area, the Andaz wasn't available on points (and wouldn't accomodate a rollaway anyway) and the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza also would not accomodate rollaways. With the SPG hotels, the W Hollywood is sold out, the SLS doesn't allow rollaways and the suites seem to be ridiculously overprice (in points), I was told the W Westwood has only one king bed in its rooms, and the Le Meridien in Santa Monica also doesn't do rollaways. The SPGs in the Downtown area tend to have even smaller rooms, so less options for rollaways (and the location is not as convenient).

Has anyone encountered similiar issues, and come up with any viable option/solution?  I also looked at the Crowne Plaza or Residence Inn through IHG, but they seem to be very poor value for points (35k/nt), especially if I'm transfering 1:1 from Chase UR. (Is there any way to get better value on a points transfer to IHG?)

Wow, you've really done your research.

While I don't have any points advice for you, I'd consider looking into the Marriott Residence Inn paid, or Priceline name-your-own-price.

Numerous people I know and here in this thread have been successful getting the Intercontinental hotel in Century City for under $175/night.  I don't know their rollaway policy, but it might be an option.

The Marriott also has big rooms, so they might allow rollaways. Did you ask them?

[milechazzer]

Wow, you've really done your research.

While I don't have any points advice for you, I'd consider looking into the Marriott Residence Inn paid, or Priceline name-your-own-price.

Numerous people I know and here in this thread have been successful getting the Intercontinental hotel in Century City for under $175/night.  I don't know their rollaway policy, but it might be an option.

The Marriott also has big rooms, so they might allow rollaways. Did you ask them?

I'm really trying to avoid paying cash, since I've been hoarding so many points (though I also don't want to use my points for poor value).  I actually looked at Marriott (although I confused them initially in my post above, with IHG) and the Residence Inn seems to be in a great location, but they're asking for 35,000 pts/night, and if I'm transferring points from Chase UR, that's terrible value (unless there's some other way to transfer to Marriott for better value, that I'm not aware of). 
The only SPGs that I haven't looked into are the airport hotels, but I'm wondering whether I'd be better off (for convenience of kosher food, minyan, attractions, etc.) at the Shearaton Universal Studios or at an airport hotel.

[Yehoshua]

I'm really trying to avoid paying cash, since I've been hoarding so many points (though I also don't want to use my points for poor value).  I actually looked at Marriott (although I confused them initially in my post above, with IHG) and the Residence Inn seems to be in a great location, but they're asking for 35,000 pts/night, and if I'm transferring points from Chase UR, that's terrible value (unless there's some other way to transfer to Marriott for better value, that I'm not aware of). 
The only SPGs that I haven't looked into are the airport hotels, but I'm wondering whether I'd be better off (for convenience of kosher food, minyan, attractions, etc.) at the Shearaton Universal Studios or at an airport hotel.

The Sheraton Universal is about a 10 minute drive from minyanim and kosher food in Valley Village, so I'd say there over the airport hotels.

[Ergel]

Andaz suite is huge. Plenty of room for multiple roll aways and has a couch

[milechazzer]

Andaz suite is huge. Plenty of room for multiple roll aways and has a couch

Thanks. I looked into the Andaz, but they had no availability at all for points. But even if they had points availability, I don't think there would be any way for me to get the suite upgrade (I'm a gold member).

[Ergel]

Thanks. I looked into the Andaz, but they had no availability at all for points. But even if they had points availability, I don't think there would be any way for me to get the suite upgrade (I'm a gold member).

Should be bookable for 22500 points per night. They have nothing available? What are your dates?

[moish]

The Sheraton Universal is about a 10 minute drive from minyanim and kosher food in Valley Village, so I'd say there over the airport hotels.

c'mon, someone's comong to visit la and youre sending them to the valley?

[Proisrael]

Being that there are many people who booked flights to LA. I figured we should have one clean thread of all the different hotels. SPG-HYATT-HILTON-MARRIOT

[Yehoshua]

c'mon, someone's comong to visit la and youre sending them to the valley?

I normally would not recommend the valley, as it's far from many of LA's attractions, but if being close to shuls and restaurants is very important, than I'd recommend it over the LAX hotels.

Why would you recommend the LAX hotels over the valley in this situation?

[milechazzer]

Should be bookable for 22500 points per night. They have nothing available? What are your dates?

My dates are 1/23-1/28. I looked online and called up, and they told me nothing available for points.

[moish]

I normally would not recommend the valley, as it's far from many of LA's attractions, but if being close to shuls and restaurants is very important, than I'd recommend it over the LAX hotels.

Why would you recommend the LAX hotels over the valley in this situation?

because its the valley

[milechazzer]

because its the valley

I checked all of the LAX hotels too, and I can't seem to find anything that works with rollaways. It seems that most of the hotels in LA either only come with 1 king bed in the room, or do not allow rollaways.

[LA2NYC]

c'mon, someone's comong to visit la and youre sending them to the valley?

+100 

[Yehoshua]

+100 

Whoa, I didn't realize everyone was so anti-valley. My apologies.

[MC]

because its the valley

Once upon a time people said that about Pico... And now look at us

[moish]

Once upon a time people said that about Pico... And now look at us

im looking... 

[Yehoshua]

im looking... 

Just out of curiosity, have you spent time in the valley recently?

[itsyehuda]

I went to the new Ditmas Kosher Kitchen and Cocktails last night. The chef is Alex Reznik who was on top chef season 7. Yes, there is a pea puree on the menu.

The decor of the place is modern industrial style, I thought it was cool.

The chef is very present and very friendly. The kitchen is open and there is a long bar that is both the bar and the pass where the chef is expediting orders from. So you pretty much can't not interact with him. He also came over to our table and spoke to us, even offered to make some special dishes to accommodate special dietary needs.

On to the food:

The menu is concise, with a few entries in each category.


We ordered the Jerusalem Artichoke soup, which was served in the style where they pour the liquid over some stuff in the plate at the table. It was delicious.




We also got the Rib Eye. We ordered it medium, and it came medium well, but the flavor was good, and it wasn't dry enough for me to send back. The meat itself was high quality, so I expect that this will be a good steak place.


The fries are thin and crispy with herbs on them. They serve it with "dirty" ketchup and an aioli (which was pink!). Usually I like the truffle mayo, in this case the ketchup was the better dip.

There was a mushroom side, with lamb "lardons" and toasted cashews. This was just ok, I couldn't find and lardons in mine, and that was why I had ordered it.


Next up was the short rib. This was very tender and delicious, a solid dish.


The standout dish was the chicken. This was simply perfectly cooked, crispy skin, tender, juicy and flavorful meat. By far the best dish of the night.


For dessert we got the pavlova and the mousse. Insteresting, but not amazing. They were both on the lighter side.




Overall I would say this was some of the best food I had in LA. A very strong contender and worth your while.

Oh I almost forgot about the cocktail. I ordered the "Marcy Avenue", which is tequila and gin with lime juice and muddled cilantro. It was very good, and indicates that they are serious about serving cutting edge cocktails there.