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Sheraton Gateway At Lax: Another Priceline bid at LAX Sheraton Gateway At Lax Review

Once again, I needed to stay near LAX on my trip to Los Angeles so I bid on Priceline to get my hotel. I bid the 4* category because I wanted to try and get the Westin but the Sheraton Gateway was the hotel that I won for my bid of $60. I always check Bidding for Travel before bidding to see what hotels are coming up and what people are paying for them.

The Sheraton Gateway is located along Century Blvd. along with most of the other LAX hotels. Parking was a little inconvenient as it was in an outdoor lot behind the hotel but they did offer in and out privileges for hotel guests, roughly $13 per day which is standard for LAX hotels. There is a shuttle back to LAX that leaves every 15-20 minutes.

Unique Qualities: My room had a king size bed that was comfortable, a small flat screen with a small range of stations, I didn't see any premium channels besides Showtime. Every so often you could hear a plane overhead since the Sheraton is so close to the airport but it didn't disturb my sleep.

The bathroom was a little worn and the water pressure not very strong, toiletries were bar soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotion. The towels weren't big and fluffy but were adequate.

I didn't use the pool but there is an outdoor one on the main level with comfortable looking beach loungers, there was steam rising off the pool one of the mornings so I assume it is heated.

The fitness room had a lot of equipment so there was never a morning when I couldn't get an Life Fitness elliptical machine to use, they have small TVs and Ipod jacks if you want to watch TV or listen to music.

I didn't ask but it appeared that I got an hour of free internet that I discovered when I asked if I could print out my boarding pass. Not sure if there's an additional charge for over an hour. There was also a terminal near the fitness room where you could print directions off Bing.

In this star category I prefer the Westin over the Sheraton, the Westin's beds are nicer, their heavenly showers are nicer, their parking is located closer to the hotel and is covered.

Address: 6101 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90045, United States

Comparison: about average

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Hotel

Crowne Plaza Los Angeles International Airport: Yet more Priceline near LAX Crowne Plaza Los Angeles International Airport Review

2nd stay, October 2008

The area around LAX would not be my first choice for a location when visiting Los Angeles, however, but when we make our semi annual trip to visit my Grandma in nearby Inglewood, this is the most convenient location for that. If I were visiting on my own, I would stay further north, perhaps in Beverly Hills or in Santa Monica.

I always bid on Priceline when we go on our semiannual visit to Los Angeles, this time I bid for a 3* at LAX, and got the Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Airport for $60 per night plus taxes in April 2008 and again for $60 in October 2008, upgraded to a 3 1/2*. The Crowne Plaza is one of many hotels located along Century Boulevard just a few minutes away from the airport. They run a free shuttle to/from the airport every 15 minutes.

The check in process was quick and they gave us a 2 bed room as we requested in April 2008, we got a king size bed on our 2nd trip. Checkout was also quick.

Unique Qualities: Room-the room was spacious and clean, the beds comfortable. I requested two double beds when I arrived since I was staying with my dad and they accomodated my request in April 2008. There was a TV with a limited number of stations, iron and ironing board. No in-room safe or refrigerator.

Bathroom-shower was fine with plenty of hot water and pressure, toiletries included shampoo, conditioner, lotion and soap, towel were thick. There was a hair dryer and coffee maker in the bathroom.

There was an outdoor pool and hot tub, a wet and dry sauna and a health club on the 3rd floor with treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical machines and some weight equipment.

There was a Starbucks, Krispy Kreme donuts, a casual bistro and a restaurant, none of which I ate at.

Parking, as with most of the LAX hotels, is an extra $12 per day with in and out privileges, the parking garage is huge and it took me a couple of tries to park closer to the hotel.

Address: 5985 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Comparison: less expensive than average

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Hotel

Hilton Los Angeles Airport: Yet more Priceline near LAX Hilton Los Angeles Airport Review

The area around LAX would not be my first choice for a location when visiting Los Angeles, however, since we were visiting my Grandma in nearby Inglewood, this was the most convenient location for that. If I were visiting on my own, I would stay further north, perhaps in Beverly Hills.

I always bid on Priceline when we go on our semiannual visit to Los Angeles, this time I bid for a 3* at LAX, and got the Hilton Los Angeles Ariport for $60 per night plus taxes in October 2007. The Hilton is one of many hotels located along Century Boulevard just a few minutes away from the airport. They run a free shuttle to/from the airport.

The check in process was quick and they gave us a 2 bed room as we requested, for checkout they slip your room charges under the door and you can just leave the keys in the room.

Unique Qualities: Room-the room was spacious and clean, the beds comfortable. I requested two double beds ahead of time since I was staying with my dad and they accomodated my request. There was a TV with a limited number of stations, iron and ironing board. No in-room safe or refrigerator.

Bathroom-shower was fine with plenty of hot water and pressure, toiletries included shampoo, conditioner, lotion and soap, towel were thick. There was a hair dryer and coffee maker in the bathroom.

There was an outdoor pool (too cold to use it) and a health club in the basement with treadmills, stationary bikes, ski machines, climbers and some weight equipment.

I grabbed a very expensive snack at the coffee bar one morning, $5 for a muffin and water. Dad had breakfast at the hotel every morning and it was over $20 each day.

Parking, as with most of the LAX hotels, is an extra $14 per day with in and out privileges.

Address: 5711 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Comparison: about average

Directions: From the 405 freeway, exit at Century Boulevard. Go west five blocks. The hotel is on the right side.

From the airport, less than 1 mile.

Phone: 1-310-410-4000

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/LAXAHHH-Hilton-Los-Angeles-Airport-California/index.do

Westin LAX: Priceline bargain near the airport Westin Los Angeles Airport Review

2nd stay-April 2007

This was my 2nd stay at the Westin near LAX, I typically bid the 3* category but this time there was one hotel that I wanted to avoid in the 3* category so I bid 4*.

Hotels near airports in large cities tend to be cheaper than hotels directly in the cities since they tend to be out of the way. Fortunately for us, that is where we need to stay when we visit. I didn't get the terrific bargain rate of $45 I did the first time on this hotel on Priceline, this time I had to bid $75 to get the Westin. A quick look at Bidding For Travel will give you an idea of how much it goes for currently.

Both times they honored my room requests, once for adjoining rooms and the 2nd time for two beds even though the room was through Priceline.

There is a complimentary shuttle from LAX, I think it went 2 times per hour from the hotel back to the airport, not sure about pickup from the airport.

From 5-7pm they have something called "unwind" in the lobby, I'm still not entirely sure if it's complimentary or not but it looked like drinks were being served.

Unique Qualities: Overall I was satisfied with the hotel, the beds are the Heavenly Beds they advertise which are comfortable with down pillows and comforter and the shower is the Heavenly Shower which has curved shower curtains and dual shower heads. Towels were reasonably thick. Toiletries included shampoo, conditioner, lotion and bar soap. There was a hair dryer and an iron/ironing board. No refrigerator in our room, the higher priced rooms have them along with mini bars. TV with only one premium channel, I think it was Showtime.

There was a nice workout facility and an outside pool with deck chairs, neither of which I had time to use. It would have still been a little chilly to use the pool.

My only real complaint, which is basically true of most hotels of this caliber, is that they charge extra, and a lot extra, for everything not included in the basic rate. Parking is an additional $15 a day, internet access in the lobby was $6 for 15 minutes although there is wifi in the hotel and computer hookups in the room should you be traveling with your own. You can probably find cheaper parking around LAX but it's then a hassle to get back to the hotel. I didn't even bother to look at the restaurants.

Oh and the walls of our room were a little thin, we were treated to some early morning and nocturnal entertainment (think Kim Cattrell in "Porky's", her nickname was Lassie should you not have seen it), it might have been amusing had I been there with my husband but since I was with dad, it was just a tad embarrassing!

Address: 5400 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: About 5 minute drive from LAX and rental cars

Phone: (310) 216-5858

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1005&ES=DEST4LA_PP_WI_1005_SoCal

Radisson Hotel Los Angeles Airport: More Priceline near the airport Radisson Hotel At Los Angeles Airport Review

2nd stay October 2006

The area around LAX would not be my first choice for a location when visiting Los Angeles, however, since we were visiting my Grandma in nearby Inglewood, this was the most convenient location for that. If I were visiting on my own, I would stay further north, perhaps in Beverly Hills.

For both stays, in March 2006 and October 2006, I bid on Priceline, for a 3* at LAX, and got the Radisson LAX for $55 per night plus taxes in October 2006. The Radisson is the closest hotel to LAX although there are many other options in the area that are almost as convenient. They run a free shuttle to/from the airport.

The check in process was quick on our October 2006 visit, the only service glitch was the alarm clock that went off at 4 am (when am I going to remember to check those?)

Unique Qualities: Room-the room was spacious and clean, the beds reasonably comfortable and the rooms appeared to be updated since our 2005 visit with warmer colors and updated bathrooms. I requested two double beds ahead of time since I was staying with my dad and they accomodated my request. There was a TV with a very limited number of stations, iron and ironing board. No in-room safe or refrigerator (you could rent one for $10 per day).

Bathroom-shower was fine although it took a bit of work to get the hot water on, toiletries included shampoo, conditioner, lotion and soap. There was a hair dryer and coffee maker in the bathroom.

There was an outdoor pool (too cold to use it) and a small health club that was located outside the building that had treadmills, a stationary bike, ski machine and some weight equipment. There are a couple of bars, a casual restaurant and a nicer restaurant.

Parking, as with most of the LAX hotels, is an extra $13 per day with in and out privileges.

Address: 6225 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: (310) 670-9000

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.radisson.com/losangelesca_airport