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| Image courtesy of hotel website |
Although I was on my way to New York City, I figured even one night in L.A. would help me deal with the inevitable jet lag I knew I was going to experience. The hotel was the first of eight hotels stays I would have during my three month visit to America.
Check in: The check in process was quick and uncomplicated. Just the thing you need after an 18 hour flight.
Reception Staff: The Indian lady on reception was friendly
and efficient. She said she used to live in Sydney, and knew of Adelaide as the 'City of
Churches'. So far, so good.
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| Image courtesy of hotel website |
Cleanliness: I was allocated room 202. Although the hotel is
a little dowdy, my room had been cleaned just before my arrival, and everything looked ship shape and gave me no reason to complain.
Location: the hotel is located on West Century Boulevard, which leads straight too and from LAX international airport - just three or four miles away. The neighbourhood itself seems typical for Los Angeles: fast food outlets, cheap hotels and motels, dollar supermarkets, car wash establishments and such like. There is a Chinese take away across from the hotel, and a Panda Express a couple of blocks away. These are handy since meals are not available at the hotel.
Facilities: These include free wired and wireless high-speed
internet, free unlimited local and long distance domestic phone calls, and guest laundry.
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| Image courtesy of hotel website |
Additional features and services include in-room coffee
makers, microwaves, refrigerators, iron and ironing boards, hairdryers, safes,
satellite TV with premium movie and sports channels, and much more. A full list
of hotel facilities can be accessed here…
The WiFi reception was fine in my room and came free, a
service Australian hotels would do well to emulate. Traffic noise was bearable.
This was LA after all, and there was no noticeable aircraft noise despite the
proximity of the airport a few miles down the highway.
Breakfast: The Value
Inn website refers to their breakfast offering as a "complimentary deluxe continental breakfast", however, I thought it was fairly basic even though there was plenty of it. Choices consisted of apple
or cranberry juice, tea and coffee, Cornflakes or Cheerios, muffins, waffles,
toast and jam, and I guess water if you include that as part of breakfast.
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| Image courtesy of hotel website |
So much for my Los Angeles stopover. From airport to hotel
to bed to airport again. Still, it was never intended to be more than a short
break to help me get over the long flight, and reset my body clock from the
southern hemisphere to the northern one.
The hotel does not provide a pick up or drop off service for
LAX. My taxi fare to the hotel from the airport was $20.00, and the return fare
was $15.00 – including tips.
Recommendation: Let's face it, most hotels near large international airports are designed to cater to clients who are generally looking for one or two nights accommodation while they are on the way to somewhere else more interesting, and the Value Inn Worldwide fulfils this brief perfectly well. Based on my one night stay (hardly a scientific study, I know), I am happy to recommend the hotel for just this purpose. As budget hotels go, it was clean, the staff I spoke to were friendly and welcoming, the price was right, and it was close to the airport which is another reason I chose it. 3.5 stars.
More info:
Value Inn Worldwide, Los Angeles
4751 W Century Boulevard, Inglewood.
4751 W Century Boulevard, Inglewood.
One Night: US$75.38 (includes booking fee through
Orbitz.Com)
Ph: (310) 491 7000.
