Review: Hacienda Hotel, El Segundo, Los Angeles, California

When I go to the United States from Bangkok, I always fly into Los Angeles and have a layover for a couple of days to visit friends. I've normally stayed at the same hotel every time I've passed through, but on my last trip to Los Angeles I decided to stay at the Hacienda Hotel near LAX instead. The hotel, which is actually in El Segundo, was at least $20 a night cheaper than any other hotel in the area and had good reviews on several websites, so I decided to try it out.

When I arrived in LA, after a grueling 18 hour flight from Asia, I called the Hacienda Hotel and was told that their airport shuttle was on the way. Sure enough, it arrived about five minutes after I made the phone call and, as the hotel is so near the airport (only 1 mile), I was at the Hacienda Hotel only twenty minutes after coming through airport arrivals.

Check in at the hotel was very smooth and very quick. The reception staff was excellent and was very quick to accommodate my request for a non-smoking room in a quiet area. My room was a quick walk from reception and was in the South Tower, which had recently been renovated. When I opened the door, I knew it was going to be perfect. The room had a queen size bed, a large TV with satellite TV, a large bathroom with all the freebies, free high-speed internet, an iron, an ironing board and a coffee maker. It was also exceptionally clean with all new carpeting, bed sheets, bed covers and shower curtain.

Once I had unpacked, I took a quick shower and then headed out of the hotel to try to find some food. I was pleasantly surprised to see a strip mall across the street that had everything I could possibly want. There was a pizza place, a sandwich shop, a Mexican restaurant, a large supermarket, a bakery, two banks, (very convenient for exchanging Thai baht to American dollars) and a Kinko's. I bought pizza and then went to the supermarket for drinks and some snacks for later. Back at the hotel, I also found out they had four restaurants, which I would definitely try the next time I stay there. That night, I stayed in my room and watched a movie on satellite TV. I had an early night, due to jet lag, and was very happy to sleep like a baby with no noise in the hotel whatsoever.

The morning after, I had a quick walk around the hotel. The Hacienda Hotel has a beautiful pool, a hot tub, and a fitness centre. Also, if you don't have a laptop with you, you can access the internet on one of the computers in the lobby. The hotel also has a small library with a comfy seating area, where you can relax, grab a coffee and read a book or talk to friends.

The Hacienda Hotel, as its name would suggest, is decorated in a Mexican motif. I really liked the tiled areas, the pretty courtyards and fountains, and the murals. It's a very pleasant hotel, and felt rather like being in Mexican rather than on an ugly street in El Segundo.

Another great thing about the hotel is that they have a rental car service on-site. I was able to rent a car through Discovery Rent-A-Car, and drive right from the hotel in it and deliver it back to the hotel. This was much more convenient than having to do it at the airport.

The Hacienda Hotel is located a little way out of either Venice or Santa Monica, but is in El Segundo itself and is also very close to Manhattan Beach. Most of my business was in Santa Monica, but it was still only a 20 minute drive so I didn't mind so much. Due to the fact that you can get a rental car at the hotel, that there are convenient shops and restaurants across the street, and that it's only a mile from the airport, overall I liked the location of the hotel.

The next time I'm in Los Angeles, I will definitely stay at the Hacienda Hotel. The room was very comfortable and the service was impeccable. It was also exceptionally clean. All in all, my two nights at the Hacienda Hotel were an enjoyable stay for a pretty low price.

Hacienda Hotel - 525 N. Sepulveda Blvd., El Segundo, California - (800) 421-5900.