Sleep in the green and with a pool two miles from LAX: review Hilton Garden Inn El Segundo
Sleeping around Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during a layover or before an early morning flight [...]
LAX
United States of America
Sleep around the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during a layover or before an early morning flight can involve significant effort in terms of finding the best option. The choice, of course, is not lacking: quite the contrary, the first mile of Century Boulevard, the boulevard that starts from the airport complex and runs eastward, is lined with virtually only hotels. And if you widen your gaze slightly, the offerings become even more impressive.
In this article:
The brands, from 5-star hotels to the cheapest motels in American chains, are all there. Yeah, but some have an airport shuttle, some don't. Some have it for free, others for a fee. Then there is the cost of parking, which can range from ten up to over $25. Finally, breakfast, which is included or not.
In short, locating the option or options with the best value for money (without ending up in one of those 'American-style' places where the carpet smells like feet) can be more difficult than it appears at first glance, seeing the incredible amount on offer.
If you want to a safe address in the lower-middle price range, you can bet (as Barbone, Matteo Rainisio sometimes does) on a Hilton Garden Inn. Around LAX there are a couple of them.. But one is a bit far away (practically in Manhattan Beach, 6km from LAX), while the other stands at El Segundo, which is the town that lies just across the southern boundary of the airport grounds. Just over two kilometers from the terminals.
Reservation
Despite being a member of Hilton Honors, eventually I booked on booking.com Because with the same room and conditions (standard, king size bed, breakfast included and possibility to cancel up to the day before my arrival) would give me the best price.
Location
The hotel is located on a very quiet stretch of Mariposa Avenue, where it doesn't even feel like a few minutes' drive from one of the world's busiest airports, but allows walking distance to a shopping center where there are several restaurants and fast food outlets and a supermarket. Right next door, moreover, there is a station (elevated) on the C line of the subway in Los Angeles.
Check-in
I did practically two, both in no more than a couple of minutes. The first took me to a room on the second (and last) floor, where there was an insistent background 'noise' (no, it was not the air conditioning). The second, once I returned arms and bags to the lobby, to a Room on the second floor, quiet and overlooking a small garden (The facility is surrounded not only by the parking lot but also by a lot of greenery).
The room
Large, quiet, freshly furnished since everything was nearly spotless. Nice lamps, usual large wall-mounted TV screen in front of the bed.
Equipped with coffee maker, mini-bar, microwave oven a large compartment closet, a comfortable armchair and a desk with office chair. Very comfortable and gigantic king-size bed. Two free bottles of water provided.
Bathroom, Large shower with sliding glass door, plenty of towels and wall-mounted dispenser for Zero/0 branded soap, shampoo and conditioner.
The hotel
The lobby presents The 'great classic of the 'Gardn Inn': the four armchairs placed in front of the gas fireplace Which is turned on every night, summer or winter.
It has several rooms for business meetings and a beautiful pool area in greenery facing northwest, ideal for sunshine in the afternoon hours and also equipped with a hot tub.
Vast parking, so much so that it is impossible (as is sometimes the case even in the U.S.) to find a space.
But the price of $25 (plus tax) per night is really that high and is the only discordant note. Better, if you really don't need a car, take advantage of the free airport shuttle, which takes about ten minutes to reach the terminals at LAX.
Breakfast
The restaurant to the left of the entrance open in the evening where in the morning there is the breakfast buffet, which is the standard one (of good standard) of the Hilton Garden Inn: hot with eggs, hashbrowns, sausages, and bacon; cold with toast, English muffins, bagels, muffins, butter and jams, yogurt, and cut fruit.
To drink American-style juice and coffee, regular or decaf.
In conclusion
An alternative address to the huge hotels located in the chaos of Century Boulevard, in a safe and quiet neighborhood yet within easy walking distance of restaurants, bars and stores, with the convenience of being a five-minute drive or airport shuttle ride from the terminals.
Pro
- Kind and attentive staff
- Near airport
- Renewed
Against
- Cost of parking