Thread: Four Points Sheraton LAX Airport

Vicki there aren't a lot of restaurants around the FourPoints, but you can get a few good meals.
There's an IN-N-OUT (burgers) within walking distance *not a very scenic walk,* 9149 S. Sepulveda (plane spotters luv this place ) try the Double-Double (animal style)with fries.
For breakfast and lunch "The Coffee Co. 8751 La Tijera (intersection of La Tijera & Sepulveda) maybe a mile from you--look for the green awning, try the french toast or the skillet breakfast, great muffins too. I go there before my AM flights.
As far as a mall, there's The Promenade at Howard Hughes Center (shopping, dining, movies) but unless you're an Olympic power walker, it's a cab ride. There's also the Manhattan Village Mall (shopping, movies, dining) but again it's a cab ride.

The closest beach to you (about 2 miles) is Dockweiler Beach, right under the flight plan for LAX, so it's a little noisy. However I would suggest Venice Beach (again a cab ride) for a true LA experience.

Remember Vicki, to quote Steven Wright -- Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time.

Vicki is your family looking at the Holiday Inn because they're attending an event in the area, or is the hotel a base for LA activites? Am I correct in asuming no one wants to experience driving in LA traffic?

Vicki I always give the hotel shuttle drivers a buck - friends of mine that live Stateside say don't bother, other friends say do it. I can never work the tipping thing out either and it's frustrating, if not annoying, as nobody wants to talk about it if you ask them (the people serving you)directly !
When eating out at a diner or a Denys type place, I look at what others are leaving and follow them. Usually seems to be $1-$2. If it's a posher place, 15-20%.
Porters at hotels I've been told get $1 per bag, but I don't use them as my trusty rollaboard is just as easy in my hands as in others, so I can't comment from experience.

I too am looking at LAX properties, but just for a quickie overnight, so not as particular in requirements as you need to be. Best I've found so far is the Crowne Plaza at USD69 per night.
On past occasions, when I've had all day to kill before the late night flights back to SYD, I've jumped the local transit bus from the terminals up to Santa Monica. Not too far from LAX, great spot, nice beach, good shopping and a pier of entertainment options for the younger ones! I've also cabbed it to Venice (Muscle) Beach as well which was, well, different.

Like Al I usually tip the coutesy shuttle driver a $1, more if he handles my luggage.
Porter- $1 a bag, more if he has to use a forkllift.
Restaurants (not fast food) generally people tip between 15-20%. My method- the sales tax in LA is 8.25%, so I double the tax and round it up - approximate 17% - a quick and easy way to figure out the tip and no fingers required.
I like Al's suggestion of Santa Monica Beach, a great day trip. It's about 8 miles from the airport so you may need a cab, if only for the ride home.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Hal Tz @ Jan 13 2008, 12:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

The only time we need a bed is when the redeye back east is full; it&#39;s happened to us once, at 12:30 AM..next flight out was 6:30 AM so our bed was in terminal 3, under a bench..ugh!![/b]

Well we certainly can&#39;t have you curling up under a bench; throw in a trainee floor waxer and you&#39;ll never get to sleep. Try the The Hacienda, about a mile from the airport, complimentary 24 hour shuttle and rates run about $80, less if you have AAA, or AARP.

Hal TZ - it was an industry rate for a weekend date in late May. The "0" was a typo - fat fingers more than likely. USD69 was the rate. Hadn&#39;t noticed the error until now, so have amended my original post.
Cheers.