Los Angeles is one of the more expensive cities in the US, so finding cheap, decent and safe accommodation in a good location can be challenging. The cheapest accommodations have terrible reviews or are located in dangerous places. I have 5 tips for cheap accommodation in good places and 5 tips for hotels with the best value for money.
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Where to Stay in Los Angeles
🗺️ Location Is the Most Important Parameter
When choosing accommodation, I recommend looking for a good location first and foremost. In Los Angeles, everywhere is far away so that you don’t have to travel long hours to the sights and waste time in endless traffic jams. In addition, some neighborhoods are not safe for strangers at night and are better avoided. The location rating on Booking should be at least 8.0, I recommend reading the reviews.
💰 How to Save Money on Hotels in Los Angeles
When travelling with four people, you can save half the cost simply by booking just one room. Beds in American hotels are big, a couple can sleep comfortably in one. The cheapest types of accommodation are hostels (you pay for a bed in a shared room) and motels (they have very poor reviews).
📅 Book Your Hotel in Advance
I recommend booking hotels as soon as you know when you’ll be staying there. The earlier you book, the more accommodation you will have available. When you book last minute, especially on exposed dates, the only hotels left are the ones that no one liked.
🛏️ How to Choose a Hotel on Booking
I book hotels around the world almost exclusively through Booking. They have a wide range, are reliable and guarantee the lowest price. I take a rating of 6.0 or higher as sufficient for an overnight stay, although I don’t expect anything special. I take a rating of 8.0 or higher as a promise that I will be satisfied.
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5 Cheap Hotels in Los Angeles
You’ll find cheaper accommodation in Los Angeles than the five picks below. However, most of them have intimidating reviews or are in dangerous neighborhoods. At one such motel, a Czech wrote in a review, “There was a shooting across the street at night and the coroner was standing outside in the morning.”
The following five tips offer at least a basic standard and are in places where I wouldn’t be afraid to let a single girlfriend stay. I last updated the tips and ratings on June 24, 2024.
Hotel Reviews Description HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica 8,6/10 A superbly rated hostel in an excellent location, it also offers private rooms for added privacy. La Mirage Inn LAX Airport 7,1/10 A budget hotel offering basic amenities and comforts, treat this as a place to spend the night near LAX. Samesun Hollywood 7,7/10 A good choice for accommodations near the famous Walk of Fame, with the added benefit of great subway access. Economy Inn Hollywood 6,9/10 Affordable accommodation in Hollywood has less well-appointed rooms, but offers free parking in return. Best Western Burbank Airport Inn 8,0/10 An interesting design hotel with free parking and good value for money. 1️⃣ HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica Hostel
This hostel offers probably the best value for money in Los Angeles. Located in Santa Monica, a few metres from the beach, it has a 9.6/10 location rating and an 8.6/10 overall Booking Score. Guests rave about the cleanliness of the facilities, the included breakfast and the great location (check out the photos). The complaints are directed at the not very friendly staff.
2️⃣ La Mirage Inn LAX Airport
This motel offers good value for money by local standards, the location itself offers nothing of interest, but is within good driving distance of the airport. It has a 7.1/10 rating on Booking. Guests praise the location relative to the sights, although there are a lot of strange people around.
3️⃣ Samesun Hollywood
Hollywood hostel is probably the best choice for those who want to sleep in the heart of the action for a few days. Located right on the Walk of Fame, it offers an all-inclusive breakfast and perfect access to tourist attractions. It has a Booking score of 9.2/10 for location and an overall rating of 7.7/10.
4️⃣ Economy Inn Hollywood
A motel in a similar location in Hollywood is the choice for those who want their own room. The Walk of Fame, the Hollywood sign and Universal Studios are all easily accessible from the Economy Inn. It has a 6.9/10 rating on Booking, losing out quite a bit in the facilities department. There are few amenities in the rooms, but again, it offers free parking.
5️⃣ Best Western Burbank Airport Inn
The only hotel of the five picks located a short walk from Universal Studios. Breakfast and free parking are included in the room rate, and the rating on Booking is 8.0/10. Guests praise the cleanliness of the rooms, the friendly staff, and the interesting design of the hotel (check out the photos). The complaints are often directed at the unsightly surroundings of the hotel.
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5 Best Value Hotels in Los Angeles
The second group of recommendations are hotels that already offer more amenities than just headroom. They have a rating above 8/10, a perfect location, breakfast included, free parking and some extra amenities. From my point of view, these are the accommodations that offer the best value for money.
Hotel Rating Description Hollywood Homes minutes to everything 8,7/10 Beautiful apartments in a great location overlooking the Hollywood sign, suitable for a larger group of people. Holiday Inn Express Los Angeles LAX 8,5/10 This hotel near LAX offers a free shuttle and a very generous breakfast included. Park Plaza Lodge 8,7/10 A clean hotel in a safe part of Los Angeles, guests praise the nice cafe and free parking. Comfort Inn & Suites Near Universal 8,1/10 Nice hotel in Hollywood with a great breakfast is convenient for visiting area attractions. Mayumi Los Angeles 8,8/10 The hotel is value for money for the city, I like the terrace perfect for relaxing (check out the photos). 1️⃣ Hollywood Homes minutes to everything
Located in Hollywood a short walk from Paramount Pictures studios, the apartments have a location rating of 8.9/10. The overall rating on Booking is 8.7/10, with the advantage of free parking and the ability to accommodate larger groups. Guests praise the perfect accessibility to all locations, the feeling of safety and the view of the Hollywood sign. Negative reviews are often directed and narrow parking spaces.
2️⃣ Holiday Inn Express Los Angeles LAX
This 3-star hotel is a short walk from the airport and offers a free shuttle service. Breakfast and parking are also included, and there is a pool in the hotel’s courtyard. The Holiday Inn Express has an 8.5/10 rating on Booking, with guests praising the location, good breakfast and cleanliness.
3️⃣ Park Plaza Lodge
Located in a safe part of the city centre, this 3-star hotel offers free parking, a swimming pool and nicely decorated rooms. Guests praise the cleanliness, location and very friendly staff. Negative reviews mention worse soundproofing in the rooms. The hotel has a Booking rating of 8.7/10, the location itself is 9.2/10.
4️⃣ Comfort Inn & Suites Near Universal
A branch of the Comfort Inn chain located in North Hollywood, this is a good choice for visiting Universal Studios, the Hollywood sign or the Walk of Fame. The rating on Booking is 8.1/10 and the location is 7.9/10. Breakfast and parking are included, and guests praise the cleanliness of the rooms and the hotel’s location. Complaints are directed at the parking hassle.
5️⃣ Mayumi Los Angeles
The stylish hotel has a great rating of 8.8/10, the location scored a very good 8.6/10. The room rate includes parking and breakfast, and guests praise the hotel’s spotless cleanliness, location, and nicely decorated rooms. Check out the photos of the terrace. The negative comments were repeated about parking facing the street and smaller rooms.
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