Why superb? Where do I start? I checked in around 8am (after a terrible night at The Biltmore (see review) and got a room (as requested) with excellent southern views and a huge balcony (with double glazing) over Santa Monica Blvd. The breakfast is over 30 dollars but very healthy and the hotel is 5min away from Rodeo Drive. Only complain, there is no bath, just shower that disperses the water all over and takes longer to wash. However all attractions are some 30 dollars fixed fare away (make sure you ask your driver and do not engage in further conversations with them - will simply drive you mad) and the airport 42 dollars. Do visit:
- west: Santa Monica pier and small aquarium underneath (part of goLosAngelesCard - check the site for deals to attractions), take a bike (goLAcard) to Venice beach (some 20min) and see the crazy things and gorgeous condos (check the wooden one). Walk through 3rd St promenade in Santa Monica (loved its shops and buzz - so real and European), the nearby mall with so cheap stuff and packed with Brits. Also check the Getty centre on top of a mini mountain (take their free luxurious tram) and see their FREE collections described by them as "the most ecclectic around the world", get free salty biscuits and sweet (if you like taking advantage of that). What I really liked were the great southern views and that amazing, healthy soup that makes me salivate even now.
- east: Hollywood Blvd with Kodak theatre, Gauman theatre and Guiness place (all part of goLAcard). Take the tours from Starline (again goLAcard) visiting Hollywood, Melrose, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Rodeo and learn the more interesting stories about Mae West etc - the place will slowly grow on you and you will find a reason for the dumps like Viper Room to exist. Take the metro to Universal City (only 1.25 dollars one way) and get ahead of the queues (part of goLAcard), take a train to the sets of diff movies and be mesmerised by the special effects for King Kong, The fast and the furious, The Scorpion King (even a sceptic like me got amazed), then go to the 30min shows of The Terminator, Waterworld and The Animal show (worth the effort - trust me)
- I was not impressed with the shops on Melrose or The Grove, much better choices in Santa Monica (that is the place)
Tips:
- ask the taxi drivers for fixed fares (I found this to be cheaper than renting a car if you add the fee/insurances/SatNav/hotel parking/petrol), this applied even to black stretch limos
- if interesting in attractions, check go Los Angeles card site
- be prepared to pay unshamedly high prices even for an anemic sandwich (around 10 dollars) near the Kodak theatre
- e-mail the hotel with your request, they take good care of you (free English muffins with morning tea - if you are after that)
- get a seat in the plane on the right hand side (if you want to have a great view from near the airport to the Hollywood sign), the landing runs from east to west (although our pilot said otherwise)
I found the people to be extremely polite. respectful and polite. Surely I'll be back.









