I’ve stayed at the Sheraton LAX more than half a dozen times. It’s the best of a bad lot of LAX airport hotels.
There’s a Westin at the airport which is probably the worst Westin in the United States, don’t tell me it’s gotten better unless they’ve soundproofed the walls. There’s a Four Points which has some pretty decent rooms and some not-so-decent rooms. The Hilton needs investment. I admit to having no experience with the Marriott properties in the area.
But if you want a really good experience you have to go beyond the properties that offer free airport shuttle services and get over to Marina del Rey or Hermosa Beach.
The Sheraton remains the best of the airport properties, though, and though it’s been a few years since its last makeover it continues to hold up reasonably well.
It has all of the necessities of a good airport property — quick in and out, an airport shuttle (and even though shared, it’s the first drop off on arrival, and last pickup yet always seems to have seats), a Starbucks in the lobby, and a good enough restaurant in Paparazzi. And a nice comfortable Sheraton bed. There’s even a fairly good pool area, though for my late November/early December stay the weather wasn’t accommodating and I was too busy in any case.
This was my first time staying there for three nights, I think I shocked the clerk at check-in when he saw I would be there for so long. But Frequent Traveler University was being held here November 30-December 2, and it would be helpful to be staying on-site.
It was also my first stay in a corner suite which though not separated by an actual wall did offer a seemingly-separate living space and even separate-still dining area.
Just a basic bathroom and with standard Sheraton amenities, I do think the US Sheraton bath products come off seeming cheap — especially with Hilton having gone more upmarket.
I had surprisingly great views, though, of the airport and its operations.
Another positive about the property was prompt and reasonably good room service, and at least some offerings available 24 hours a day, a real must for an airport hotel.
The only real negative for the stay wasn’t at all the Sheraton’s fault. A city water pipe broke down the street on Saturday and the hotel was without water for nearly 12 hours.
Fortunately this happened right after I showered for the day. I wasn’t going to be in my room at all during the day anyway. But it did stand in the way a little bit of an efficiently-run Frequent Traveler University.
We were doing lunch for 400 and watched the hotel do the best they could, making iced tea with bottled water for instance. And the bathrooms quickly became less than desirable to use.
Staff couldn’t be more accommodating though the situation was entirely outside of their control. The hotel’s General Manager even addressed the full group with an apology, offering all of the attendees that were staying on property 4000 points. That was met with mostly applause.
Folks who weren’t actually staying there were less than thrilled, and I’ve heard that several who complained were given some points as well. And some guests staying on property are said to have received more than the promised 4000 points.
Two weeks after the conclusion of the stay I hadn’t gotten any of the promised points, so I emailed the hotel. After 10 days I hadn’t gotten any response, so I emailed Starwood’s twitter address (twitter@starwoodhotels.com) and within 24 hours was told that the points would be posted shortly, delayed only by the holidays.
No doubt I’ll return to the Sheraton LAX, though I’m also looking forward to the opening of the new-build Hyatt Place near the airport.
Thanks for the walk down memory lane. My wife and I loved that room. Oh, and thanks for not linking a Starwood Amex card in your post.
Since, I do not spend enough stays/nights in hotels to maintain top tier status, I have left Starwood [Gold] for Hilton [also Gold] as Starwood Gold is a joke compared to Hilton Gold. Anyway, I have stayed at the Hilton LAX a few times, in a suite on the executive floor and in a regular room on one of the mid-level floors. Hilton LAX has done a great job renovating the mid-level floors, but they still have not renovated the executive floors. Once they renovate those floors and perhaps the executive lounge could use a little help, I think the Hilton LAX will be up there with the Sheraton.
As an SPG Platinum living in LA, I tend to stay at one of the Starwood properties at LAX the night before any early morning flight. They usually have parking packages which almost make up for the cost of the room. (It is $30/day to park at LAX, and about $15-$18/day to park at the airport hotels. Some of the other “off-airport” parking places are in sketchy neighborhoods with unpredictable shuttle service).
Four Points gets a failing grade. Parking is a nightmare, food is terrible, and the whole place needs a facelift. The Sheraton is hit or miss. The Westin LAX is consistently the better (albeit more expensive) choice of the SPG properties at LAX. The Westin is also the only LAX property to consistently give me recognition for my SPG status (and they even did this when I was just “Gold.”)
Not sure about soundproofing. There are airplane noises at all hotels by the airport.
I usually stay at the Marriott LAX, and find it more than adequate for an airport property. It got an awesome pool and a Starbucks 🙂
FOr more modest rooms and cheaper options but comfortable check out the LAX Four Points. They even have day rooms available. But Won’t lie, this looks pretty posh!
http://upgrd.com/doublewidesfly/day-rooms-now-available-at-lax-four-point.html
The new Hyatt Place is now open and look forward to staying there. Also, the Hilton Garden Inn at LAX is nice with free shuttle within a 5 mile radius including Manhattan Beach.
Re your comment on the 4 Points, I believe all of the rooms are now renovated. The GM is responsive and active on flyertalk:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/498611-four-points-lax-los-angeles-airport-master-thread-30.html#post19484672
Park ‘n Fly is about $12.50 a day plus tax after AAA or Southwest discount. It’s literally right next to the Southwest terminal & completely safe. (adjacent to LAX police station) I walk to Terminal 1,2 & as well as 6,7 & 8.
Parking lot C is only $12 / day a/i and very safe with efficient and plentiful shuttles to/from the terminals. I also have not yet received promised SPG pts. despite 3 emails 🙁
For a more comfortable stay, the RC MDR is typically one of the lower priced RCs in the US. Book via a Stars agent for free breakfast/etc.
I have had a good stay the CP LAX. Nice rooms, they treat Platinums well (club access by default) and free drink coupons at the bar. Shuttle is the first stop as well. Parking is reasonable as well (for near the airport).
I gave up on the Sheraton (Gateway) LAX after experiencing significant service issues on multiple stays. I switched to the Embassy Suites LAX (about a block away) and haven’t looked back. The rooms are spacious, quiet, and comfortable. The breakfast is free for everyone. The staff is warm, helpful and efficient. The shuttle bus is the same one that eerves the LAX Hilton. Give Embassy Suites a try!
I’ve stayed quite a bit at both the Sheraton and Westin LAX. I always prefer the Westin, but the last few times I’ve stayed there the service has been terrible. I had to fight with someone at the front desk for water glasses for my room.
That, and the AC reeked of mildew. Maybe I’ll try the Sheraton again on my next trip.
Ill have to admit..it was nice property and for the FF crowd, it can’t be its location….although the crowne plaza next door isnt bad either…
Seriously? We paid $200++ per night for a suite and got crappy accommodations. Large size room with sitting area but not a real suite and no mini-frig to store milk for the kids!!! Not to mention that there was no contingency plan for water cut-off. It was a disappointing first stay … for such a huge property with such brand name, we expected better.
Glad to see that you got some awesome accommodations … thanks for sharing!
Contingency plan for water shortage at this property:
http://milevalue.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/DSCN1218.jpg
I used to stay at the LAX Westin fairly often for five nght stays and it wasn’t bad. I stayed at the Four Points and the Sheraton this year and they were both decent enough, although those were both one night stays both without any issues.
I was in attendance at the FTU but wasnt staying at the hotel and recieved 2500 points in compensation for the water problems. Pretty nice of them….handled th whole thing really well.
Thanks for posting this. I recently took your advice and stayed there Sunday for an early Monday morning flight. I often stay at Westin properties, but after passing by while a United wide body approached 25R over me, I was glad I didn’t. It’s kind of in a poor location being behind the runways. It’s almost right under the flight path. It picks up all the noise.
The Sheraton sure does not photograph well. I was pleasantly surprised. It’s decor is maybe 15-20 years behind, but it’s not a dump. It’s taken care of.
Staff is great. Even post-Marriott merger and all the confusion and misalignment of reservations systems, they manage to follow elite program benefits in a meaningful way. I was upgraded to a massive corner suite. Large refrigerator and plenty of bottled water.
Excellent location. It’s half way through the bottlenecks on 1 World Way. I saw three shuttles waiting on the property at all times.
Only downside is parking. The cost of valet parking is atrocious.