I was impressed
Written: Feb 18 '09
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Minutes (or seconds) from LAX. Frequent free shuttles.
Cons: Check in can be a bit understaffed.
The Bottom Line: This hotel exceeded my expectations in nearly every area.
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| mistsy's Full Review: Sheraton Gateway Hotel Los Angeles Airport |
I've stayed at a lot of the LAX hotels and this was my best experience.
The hotel is a giant one-night-only type of place. You wouldn't want to stay here for a vacation because of the location, but as an airport hotel it was wonderful.
Returning to the airport after a SoCal vacation, we returned our rental car, took the car rental shuttle to the airport the night before our flight, and waited about 3 minutes for the hotel shuttle. The shuttle carries passengers to 3 or 4 hotels and this is the first on the list. It comes every 15 minutes, 24/7. Just what a traveler needs.
Check in isn't as great as it could be. We arrived at about 10pm and there was only 1 check in agent. I would imagine that if you arrived with a flight it could be a long wait. That's an area the hotel needs to improve.
Once checked in, we went to the room. I must say that, jaded as I am, it was spectacular! It was a huge room - the biggest I have ever seen in this area and beautifully furnished. We had a king bed tucked into a corner with a big, flat-screen tv, accompanied by a relatively massive living room. There was a pull-out couch against a wall flanked by two big easy chairs and a coffee table.
The room was decorated in sublime grays and blacks and smacked of an elegance I would have expected of NYC's Upper East Side or LA's Beverly Hills or such. It was truly elegant.
Other than a microwave, you have it all. Hair dryer, iron, extra blanket, coffee maker, etc. The room was immaculate.
If room quality is your #1 choice, this is the place to be.
Downstairs, you have a lively bar at all hours. Nice! It's expensive, of course, but you don't have to leave the hotel and there are lots of people at all hours. Fun!
Restaurants are in the hotel but not interesting. Too expensive for the average traveler like me. There's an American restaurant and another but we tried none of them for the price and the formality. We wanted to eat, but didn't want all the fuss.
There's a little exercise room and nice outdoor pool/jacuzzi. Nicely, these are open very late. Unfortunately you have to cross the bar to get there and the changing rooms are little more than a bathroom. Unappealing.
In the morning, we had a very early flight and the shuttle, true to the ad, was ready and waiting. Just seconds to the airport and no charge.
Many of the annoyances you find at these fancy hotels were absent here. I'm sure parking is expensive but there is no reason to park here. Presumably you are here to catch a flight so if you live in the area you will leave your car elsewhere and cheaper. If you rented a car, return it before checking in.
Internet is expensive in the rooms but amazingly there is free wireless in the lobby, which is huge. That's a nice touch. I'd rather have internet included in my room charge, but these fancy hotels don't yet understand that most of us "common" folk balk at rates over $5 per day. In room access is an astounding $15 per day.
The area is rotten. You would not want to walk around at night. There are a lot of dark warehouses, iffy back streets, etc. That being said, the main drag is full of people. Many are travelers but there are too many sex and liquor joints around.
Whatever - I assume you'd be staying here for just a night to catch a flight.
In sum, this hotel far exceeded my expectations. Facilities are great but it was the room that impressed me so very much.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
mistsy
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Location: Austin, TX
Reviews written: 137
Trusted by: 40 members
About Me:
Old, cranky, but still, umm, trying to be hip (if it hasn't been replaced yet.)
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