Discount Hotels in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a large place with a lot of expensive hotels, and some good choices for discount hotels, as well. Depending on what your budget is, what you think of as a discount hotel will be different than the next person's idea of a discount hotel.

The Quality Inn
S New Hampshire (near city center), Los Angeles

Choice Hotels are a good hotesl that offers amenities. The reservations only need to be made a few days in advance to guarantee a room. The weekday rate is $89.99, the weekend rate is $93.99, in-season, no advance stay discount. Sometimes the rooms are all booked due to a convention at this location.

Comfort Inn
1710 W 7th (in City Centre), Los Angeles

This is a location in the financial district near a skating rink park, that also has rooms available a few days in advance, for the rate of $94.99 for either weekday or weekend lodging. There is a free continental breakfast and the rooms are immaculate.

Stillwell Hotel
S. Grande, Los Angeles

Lodging for the well-behaved traveler only. This hotel is a renovated historical building, with all the modern amenities, actually a National Historic Site, and the rate of $67 is excellent, however, making a reservation two weeks or more in advance is advisable, if you want a room on the weekend. Bring your camera, as you can probably earn the price of accommodations back through your photography. I did not have the nerve to ask the clerk about reserving a room for this Friday (as they are all booked already, if things are going as usual).

Frommer's California 2008, lists a couple of nice places to stay in Santa Monica, both of which are really attractive buildings, both of which are close enough to the Pacific Ocean, to be able to get some fresh air in.

Sea Shore Motel
Main Street, Santa Monica

This hotel is two blocks from the beach, in the middle of shopping and seafood dining, and sometimes offers mid-week discounts, the rates start at $125. This is the little white and blue building with the pebbles on the front and the amazingly helpful staff, near the Santa Monica Pier, shopping, Venice Beach, and more. www.seashoremotel.com

Casa Malibu
Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica

800.831.0858
"...humble entrance on the Pacific Coast Highway belies the quiet, restful haven within. Bougainvillea vines festoon the rooftops and balconies of the motel's 21 rooms around a courtyard garden." The rates are $199 and up, for a view of the seaside, and nice amenities.

The following place is a discount resort.

The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa
Michigan Avenue Riverside
For the unbelievably low rate of $195 AAA discount (plus 14% tax) This is a discount luxury hotel.This is the sort of place to go a few times over the course of your life. I've been in the lobby area, and this is a luxurious hotel, the sort of place with real service, and real class. This is a place to tip the hired help, and receive tips on the best places to shop, see, or relax.

Hotel Freebies

If your flight is delayed, you stand more than a chance of receiving a free room at a local hotel.

Then, there is the Tharaldson "Room at the Inn" program, which allows a distressed relative or close friend to visit a sick or dying family member. There are some Tharaldson hotels around Los Angeles.
www.tharaldson.com

Sources: Rand McNally atlas, Goog411, Frommer's California