I often find myself overnighting at airport hotels. I like not having to worry about traffic if I have a super early flight, I sometimes take denied boarding and need someplace close by to stay, and I often find a great flight deal that leaves from somewhere other than my home airport of Seattle. That’s how I ended up staying at the Residence Inn by Marriott at LAX, an early morning flight out of Los Angeles heading to Panama.
While the Residence Inn meets all my qualifications for an airport overnight – close to the airport to avoid traffic, reasonably priced, comfortable with a few amenities – it would also be great an extended stay in the area.
The 231 room Residence Inn is located a mere half mile from LAX and has a complimentary shuttle that runs 24-hours a day. You can call the hotel when you arrive and they’ll let you know your wait time. Ours was only 10 minutes, but if you’re impatient, you can grab a cab or Uber and head over on your own. The fare will be about $20. If you’re renting a car, the onsite parking will run you $30/day, so keep this in mind if you’re planning on an extended stay. If you only need a car for a limited time, the onsite rental desk is probably your best bet. Your rental charge may be a little higher, but you’ll save bundles on parking.
The front desk staff was hospitable and helpful, helping us figure out what we needed to make our early flight the following morning. We were leaving too early for the complimentary breakfast, so they directed us to the small convenience store off the lobby that had prepared items that could be warmed in the room.
This 3-year old Residence Inn by Marriott at LAX is an all-suite property, offering one and two bedroom suites. We stayed in a King suite which had a view of the south runway at LAX. The aviation geek in me loves this view, but don’t worry, we didn’t hear a peep of airport noise.
The living space of the room had a sofa bed and work desk. The kitchenette was equipped with eating space, cooktop, microwave, dishwasher, necessary cookware and dining necessities, If yours in an extended stay, you can take advantage of the grocery delivery service and fire up the grill in the community picnic area. If you’re staying at the Residence Inn in the middle of a trip, the coin-operated laundry located on the 4th floor will come in handy.
The separate bedroom and bathroom were equally spacious and included a large closet and separate vanity area. The bedroom had plenty of regular and USB plug-ins, so overnight charging of gadgets was not a problem. The walk-in shower was huge, something I love, but it had one of the trendy half glass walls that annoy me. No matter how careful I am, it always seems like I have water spilling out onto the floor, making it very slippery when I get out.
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A fitness center and an outdoor pool are available. Loungers are chairs are located around the pool and gathering around the outdoor fire would be a relaxing way to end the day. We didn’t have time to use either but saw plenty of people who were enjoying them.
One of the biggest value-added amenities at the Residence Inn by Marriott at LAX is the complimentary breakfast offered daily. While you can always grab coffee in the lobby, or make it in your room, filling up before starting your day is a terrific option. Breakfast options include waffles, oatmeal, eggs, sausage and bacon, fresh fruit, muffins, bagels, pastries, yogurt, juices, and more. The variety changes daily, so it seems to meet the needs of people who want the same thing every day as well as those who need a few more choices. There is no additional restaurant on property.
The hotel is pet-friendly, but the charges can really add up. There is a non-refundable fee of $125, presumably for cleaning, along with an additional pet fee of $15 + tax per day. There is a two pet limit, along with some weight restrictions, so contact the hotel directly if you’re bringing along four-footed family members.
One amenity that I didn’t get to try, but piques my interest enough to book a return stay is Wally. Wally is the robotic butler who “lives” in the lobby and is charged with taking care of some guest needs. Forget a toothbrush or razor? Wally will deliver it to your room. Want a pizza to warm in the microwave? Wally will get it from the convenience store and bring it to you. (Some of the deliveries come with an additional charge.) I want to go back and have Wally bring me something!
If your stay gives you some free time, you’re just a short drive away from Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Hollywood, and downtown. Check with the front desk for a map and directions, or for information about public transportation.
The Residence Inn by Marriott at LAX is located at 5933 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, California. Rates start around $210/night. Since the hotel is a popular choice for families, expect higher rates during school breaks and summer. You can check for lower rates on Expedia or Hotels.com.
