Sightseeing tours and hotels in or near LA

[pbjberg]

We will be sailing on October 24th on the Sapphire Princess. We are flying out on the 22nd into the airport in Burbank. We do want to take a sightseeing tour of LA probably on the 23rd.

Does anyone have any info into hotels we could stay on the 22nd that would be in a decent area and would have complimentary pick up for the tours?

We know we may have to pay a little more from the Burbank airport, however, we are not familiar with Burbank and the Los Angeles area.

 

Thanks so much in advance for help and suggestions.

[Bruin Steve]

We will be sailing on October 24th on the Sapphire Princess. We are flying out on the 22nd into the airport in Burbank. We do want to take a sightseeing tour of LA probably on the 23rd.

Does anyone have any info into hotels we could stay on the 22nd that would be in a decent area and would have complimentary pick up for the tours?

We know we may have to pay a little more from the Burbank airport, however, we are not familiar with Burbank and the Los Angeles area.

 

Thanks so much in advance for help and suggestions.

 

If you are flying into Burbank, you may want to stay in the Universal City or Hollywood area...Most of the tour companies serving the LA area (there are many) will pick up at most of the hotels in this area...The major hotels at Universal are the Sheraton and the Hilton--both are right at the Universal Studios complex...Others in the area worth looking into are the Sportsman's Lodge on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City and the Beverly Garland...

 

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=83

 

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/BURUCHF-Hilton-Los-Angeles-Universal-City-California/index.do

 

http://www.slhotel.com/

 

http://www.beverlygarland.com/

 

In Hollywood proper, my choice would be the Renaissance at Hollywood & Highland:

 

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/laxrh-renaissance-hollywood-hotel-and-spa/

 

Note that Hollywood can be a little "edgier" and scuzzier, but the Renaissance is right in the Hollywood & Highland complex with Grauman's Chinese, the Kodak Theater and a number of high end shops and restaurants...it's actually a safe area to walk around even at night, but the strangeness of what's walking the streets may freak some people out...

 

There are also hotels in the West Hollywood/Sunset Strip area worth a look...and the tour companies also do pick-ups at West Side hotels (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Westwood, Century City et al)--which are all very nice areas...with lots of hotels...

 

As an example, these guys will pick you up at most major hotels:

 

http://www.starlinetours.com/los-angeles-tour-1D.asp

 

Good luck...Any specific questions, just ask...

[pbjberg]

Thanks, Steve,

 

This was exactly the information I was looking for. You have been very helpful.

Pat

[Curt Jerome Wild]

I agree with BruinSteve's assessment and hotel suggestions.

 

For Universal Studios/Hollywood area...

Sheraton and Hilton if you are not worried about budget so much.

 

Click here

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=12760409

for my pics and reviews of Sportsman's Lodge if you want a more historic hotel for a lower price...

Beverly Garland Holiday Inn is pretty nice as well, but I personally prefer Sportsman's Lodge.

 

[Curt Jerome Wild]

In Hollywood proper as BruinSteve says

 

Renaissance at Hollywood and Highland, but I would also add

Hollywood Roosevelt

http://www.hollywoodroosevelt.com/index.php?page=hrh

for historic, but really hip.

 

Both of these are not "budget" hotels though, if that is a factor.

 

 

For a little bit more "budget" friendly, then I highly recommend

Best Western Sunset Plaza

http://www.bestwesterncalifornia.com/hotels/best-western-sunset-plaza-hotel/

(I'll be doing a picture report of this soon)...

Lots of really nice, safe, restaurants, shops, and clubs in walking distance.

Much safer and hipper than Hollywood proper.

 

[Curt Jerome Wild]

As far as Hollywood/Los Angeles Tours...

 

If you are near and staying in Hollywood area - there is ONE tour company, and one tour company only that is head and shoulders above all the rest...

 

And that is Red Line Tours...

http://www.redlinetours.com/

They will pick up from the above mentioned hotels.

 

There is no tour company that is better.

I highly, highly recommend the Hollywood Movie Star Experience Tour

http://www.redlinetours.com/redline/hmse.php

 

Any other tour company pales in comparison...

[pbjberg]

Thanks, Curt,

 

For the additional information that you have provided. We certainly are a lot more informed about the area than we were a week ago.

Pat