Before going in my L.A. trip I was a bit scared of going without a car. Everybody in TA told me that L.A. was a car-city, some told me that it was even impossible to travel around L.A. without a car. I don't know if it was because I wasn't really in L.A. but actually I was perfect without a car and the same for my budget.
Yes, a car could have been perfect but if you are staying at a hotel with pricy parking, renting a car might not be a great idea. Here is what I actually spent:
LAX— SLS HOTEL ... 45 USD
SLS HOTEL— LITTLE NEXT DOOR (WEHO)... 10 USD
LITTLE NEXT DOOR— SLS.. 10 USD
SLS HOTEL— WARNER BROTHERS (BURBANK).. 30 USD
WB— SLS HOTEL.. 30 USD
SLS— ROBERTSON BLVD... (HOUSE CAR) 5 USD
ROBERSTON BLVD.. (HOUSE CAR) 5 USD
HOLLYWOOD -- THE GROVE.. 15 USD
THE GROVE— SLS HOTEL.. 10 USD
SLS HOTEL— THE GROVE (HOUSE CAR).. 5 USD
THE GROVE— SLS HOTEL.. 10 USD
SLS HOTEL— BEVERLY CENTER.. (House Car) 5 USD
SLS HOTEL— LAX.. 45 USD
TOTAL: 225 USD
We also walked a lot from the hotel to the Beverly Center, and our tour left us at Hollywood.
VS
Rental Car Total: 70 USD
Parking at the hotel.... 99 USD
Gas... 40 USD
TOTAL: 210 USD
Plus any additional parking at The Grove or at Robertson or at the Warner Brother Studios.
It was aprox. the same amount of money and seriously if they gave you the chance to take a taxi or go and find your car at the parking lot, you take a taxi.
So of course if the parking was complimentary it would be much better, but it was very expensive.
Please comment.
lunes, 20 de diciembre de 2010
miércoles, 15 de diciembre de 2010
Day 4- L.A.
We had an awesome week-end in L.A. but if finished very fast. Our flight departed at 6:00 p.m. from LAX so we still had the whole morning to finish our shopping. We went to The Grove after a nice breakfast, and we finished all the shopping we had to do for the entire trip. We then went back to the hotel and finished preparing our bags. Because check-out was at 1:00 p.m. we left the bags at the Front Desk and we went to eat at the Beverly Center.
We had lunch at the KPC which was just average due to the fact that we didn't had enough time. After the lunch we headed back to the hotel and grabbed a cab to LAX. We arrived like after 35 minutes after we left the SLS and went to the Check-in of Aeromexico which only took us 15 minutes.
Then it was the fun part, going through the TSA check-point. It was actually my first time in an airport with these new procedures, but we were lucky that we didn't need those procedures. I can't imagine other people seeing me without clothes or worst being touched.
I need to say that T2 at LAX is really ugly, there is nothing to do there so we just were there for about 1 hour after finally we board the plane. After a smooth 3.5 hours flight we reached Mexico City at 11:30 p.m. LOCAL TIME! A bit late and more with kids. But even worst, we spent 20 minutes on the Tarmac and another 50 in the immigration and customs lines.
We had a blast in L.A. we really did enjoy it all.
Wait for pics and for my next entry: TAXI VS CAR RENTAL IN L.A.
We had lunch at the KPC which was just average due to the fact that we didn't had enough time. After the lunch we headed back to the hotel and grabbed a cab to LAX. We arrived like after 35 minutes after we left the SLS and went to the Check-in of Aeromexico which only took us 15 minutes.
Then it was the fun part, going through the TSA check-point. It was actually my first time in an airport with these new procedures, but we were lucky that we didn't need those procedures. I can't imagine other people seeing me without clothes or worst being touched.
I need to say that T2 at LAX is really ugly, there is nothing to do there so we just were there for about 1 hour after finally we board the plane. After a smooth 3.5 hours flight we reached Mexico City at 11:30 p.m. LOCAL TIME! A bit late and more with kids. But even worst, we spent 20 minutes on the Tarmac and another 50 in the immigration and customs lines.
We had a blast in L.A. we really did enjoy it all.
Wait for pics and for my next entry: TAXI VS CAR RENTAL IN L.A.
viernes, 10 de diciembre de 2010
DAY 3: L.A.
Another day waking up at the SLS, and I really want to get back, looking forward for this day. Today we were going to finish the shopping and do the Celebrity Tour. After another expensive breakfast, the only thing I didn't enjoyed about this hotel, we went to start our day.
The driver of Elite Adventure Tours arrived couple of minutes early in a black van. The van was very nice just for us, they also included beverages and snacks. Our tour guide although he didn't spoke spanish he was just great! The tour was 2 hours and we told him we've never seen the Hollywood Sign so he took us to see it, and what a view. I think we were in the most perfect location to see the Sign and it was our first time. After seeing the sign we went to Beverly Hills, Sunset Blvd, Bel-air, etc.. This by far is the tour I've liked the most anywhere, not even in Patagonia, but these. To be driven by a nice van and an experienced man in one of the hottest and priciest streets on earth, was the best thing.
He explained us tons of things at Sunset and after we went to Beverly Hills and to finalize we finished in Bel-Air seeing the most beautiful houses of the celebrities. Two more things that I liked about this tour is that the driver took photos of everything and us with his professional camera and that he can drop you off where ever you want. We chose the Chinese Theatre so we can walk around Hollywood.
After an amazing trip we went inside the Madamme Tussauds Museum, it's a lot of fun and I really recommend it. We went to the Chinese Theatre to take some photos but it was full of people, so we continued walking towards the Kodak Theatre taking some photos and going inside and next to it there is a small "Las Vegas" Shopping Mall.
Then for lunch we headed for The Grove and ate at an italian restaurant. We "tried to finish" shopping but my dad was too tired so we went back to the hotel to relax. We had our dinner at our room because there was an event at The Bazaar.
This by far mad my trip, because of two things: The amazing tour and the Museum. I really recommend people to go here and if you plan to spend a little more to take a tour than Starline check out the website http://eliteadventuretours.com/tour.php?id=12
The driver of Elite Adventure Tours arrived couple of minutes early in a black van. The van was very nice just for us, they also included beverages and snacks. Our tour guide although he didn't spoke spanish he was just great! The tour was 2 hours and we told him we've never seen the Hollywood Sign so he took us to see it, and what a view. I think we were in the most perfect location to see the Sign and it was our first time. After seeing the sign we went to Beverly Hills, Sunset Blvd, Bel-air, etc.. This by far is the tour I've liked the most anywhere, not even in Patagonia, but these. To be driven by a nice van and an experienced man in one of the hottest and priciest streets on earth, was the best thing.
He explained us tons of things at Sunset and after we went to Beverly Hills and to finalize we finished in Bel-Air seeing the most beautiful houses of the celebrities. Two more things that I liked about this tour is that the driver took photos of everything and us with his professional camera and that he can drop you off where ever you want. We chose the Chinese Theatre so we can walk around Hollywood.
After an amazing trip we went inside the Madamme Tussauds Museum, it's a lot of fun and I really recommend it. We went to the Chinese Theatre to take some photos but it was full of people, so we continued walking towards the Kodak Theatre taking some photos and going inside and next to it there is a small "Las Vegas" Shopping Mall.
Then for lunch we headed for The Grove and ate at an italian restaurant. We "tried to finish" shopping but my dad was too tired so we went back to the hotel to relax. We had our dinner at our room because there was an event at The Bazaar.
This by far mad my trip, because of two things: The amazing tour and the Museum. I really recommend people to go here and if you plan to spend a little more to take a tour than Starline check out the website http://eliteadventuretours.com/tour.php?id=12
Day 2: L.A.
Good morning L.A. After some hours of sleep we woked up very early and it was actually good because last night we did a reservation with the concierge of the Warner Bros Tour and a private tour to see some celebrities homes.
We did had breakfast at the Tres Restaurant. I need to say that their "buffet" was only juice, bread and some fruit, 20 dollars for that.... No!! But we still ordered some waffles and the best eggs, they weren't chicken eggs but they were very good. Something more is that this restaurant is expensive! An orange juice for 8 USD??
We had our reservation at 9:30 a.m. but we waited for 10 minutes so we went with the concierge and they told us that the other concierge didn't booked it because we didn't confirm. I mean if we already went down once and told him we want the tour do we still need to go? So the other concierge couldn't booked us for the Private tour because it was too late but we still could go to the Warner Brother Studios.
WB is in burbank so in 20 minutes drive we got there. I did enjoyed the trip because you are actually seeing the set of many movies but we only saw a big Studio with nothing, the cars and the museum were nice. We also went to the actual studio of the Mentalist but I don't even see that, I still liked the tour but thought it was going to be a little bit nicer.
The tour finished around noon and we went back to the hotel to relax a little bit.
At 2:00 p.m. we went to Robertson, in the hotel house car which is a beautiful car and it saves you $$. We did shopping in that street then we had lunch at The Ivy, because it was a special day and we thought because it was Friday maybe we could see someone famous but we didn't. Still the food was good and it's a great place to come.
After lunch we finished with our shopping and went back to the hotel. And because it was still early we walked to the Beverly Center which is just two blocks away from the hotel. Then we went back to the hotel and finally just relax.
It was a good day I just thought the WBS where going to be better.
And please comment!!
We did had breakfast at the Tres Restaurant. I need to say that their "buffet" was only juice, bread and some fruit, 20 dollars for that.... No!! But we still ordered some waffles and the best eggs, they weren't chicken eggs but they were very good. Something more is that this restaurant is expensive! An orange juice for 8 USD??
We had our reservation at 9:30 a.m. but we waited for 10 minutes so we went with the concierge and they told us that the other concierge didn't booked it because we didn't confirm. I mean if we already went down once and told him we want the tour do we still need to go? So the other concierge couldn't booked us for the Private tour because it was too late but we still could go to the Warner Brother Studios.
WB is in burbank so in 20 minutes drive we got there. I did enjoyed the trip because you are actually seeing the set of many movies but we only saw a big Studio with nothing, the cars and the museum were nice. We also went to the actual studio of the Mentalist but I don't even see that, I still liked the tour but thought it was going to be a little bit nicer.
The tour finished around noon and we went back to the hotel to relax a little bit.
At 2:00 p.m. we went to Robertson, in the hotel house car which is a beautiful car and it saves you $$. We did shopping in that street then we had lunch at The Ivy, because it was a special day and we thought because it was Friday maybe we could see someone famous but we didn't. Still the food was good and it's a great place to come.
After lunch we finished with our shopping and went back to the hotel. And because it was still early we walked to the Beverly Center which is just two blocks away from the hotel. Then we went back to the hotel and finally just relax.
It was a good day I just thought the WBS where going to be better.
And please comment!!
jueves, 9 de diciembre de 2010
Day 1: LA
I had my flight with Aeromexico from Mexico City to Los Angeles going at 2:30 p.m. so I arrived at the airport at 12:50 p.m. (a bit late) but I manage to get to the gate. It's incredible how mexican taxes are spend. After all the security points before going to the gate you need to have kind of like a pat down, this includes children!.
The flight was smooth with a mediocre sandwich, of course in Economy, and we managed to get to LAX at time. And for our surprise we saw a 747 next to a A380, both of Qantas, pretty impressive. The immigration line was just 20 minutes, my last time at LAX was only 10 minutes, much better than MIA. After picking up our bags we took a cab to the SLS, which was 42 USD.
We arrived at the hotel at about 5:30 p.m. so after a rude check-in they gave us a "premier room" which cost me 6 USD plus per night and the only difference was at the last floor and two bottles of Evian, btw terrible view but what an awesome hotel and room.
The decoration of the room is bizarre but really nice, my review at TA: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g32655-d84463-r89214224-SLS_Hotel_at_Beverly_Hills-Los_Angeles_California.html
After unpacking and relaxing we asked the concierge any place to eat and he told us many expensive restaurants but we chose the Little Next Door, a very good restaurant.
Because in Mexico it was 2 hours ahead we slept a bit too early to prepare us for a day of adventure!!
The flight was smooth with a mediocre sandwich, of course in Economy, and we managed to get to LAX at time. And for our surprise we saw a 747 next to a A380, both of Qantas, pretty impressive. The immigration line was just 20 minutes, my last time at LAX was only 10 minutes, much better than MIA. After picking up our bags we took a cab to the SLS, which was 42 USD.
We arrived at the hotel at about 5:30 p.m. so after a rude check-in they gave us a "premier room" which cost me 6 USD plus per night and the only difference was at the last floor and two bottles of Evian, btw terrible view but what an awesome hotel and room.
The decoration of the room is bizarre but really nice, my review at TA: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g32655-d84463-r89214224-SLS_Hotel_at_Beverly_Hills-Los_Angeles_California.html
After unpacking and relaxing we asked the concierge any place to eat and he told us many expensive restaurants but we chose the Little Next Door, a very good restaurant.
Because in Mexico it was 2 hours ahead we slept a bit too early to prepare us for a day of adventure!!
Los Angeles Trip
For my son's birthday I decided to go with him and my daughter to L.A.
Although we have been before we didn't knew the city pretty well and something that is great in L.A. is shopping.
Before coming I searched everywhere finding that the cheapest airfares where with Alaska Airlines, but then I decided to check out the whole Hotel + Airfare. So I checked Orbitz, Expedia and despegar.com and I found on Black Friday for 2007 usd airfare with Aeromexico, not the cheapest but they do have the best times, and 3 nights at the SLS at Beverly Hills.
Before the trip I checked some stuff about the SLS and found out that was a new trendy bizarre hotel near Beverly Hills and that the average rates where higher than 350 pn. The next big thing was renting a car but because my license was going to come to an end very soon so I decided to move on taxis.
Check out my next entries to see my weekend trip to L.A.
Although we have been before we didn't knew the city pretty well and something that is great in L.A. is shopping.
Before coming I searched everywhere finding that the cheapest airfares where with Alaska Airlines, but then I decided to check out the whole Hotel + Airfare. So I checked Orbitz, Expedia and despegar.com and I found on Black Friday for 2007 usd airfare with Aeromexico, not the cheapest but they do have the best times, and 3 nights at the SLS at Beverly Hills.
Before the trip I checked some stuff about the SLS and found out that was a new trendy bizarre hotel near Beverly Hills and that the average rates where higher than 350 pn. The next big thing was renting a car but because my license was going to come to an end very soon so I decided to move on taxis.
Check out my next entries to see my weekend trip to L.A.
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