Airport hotels are usually ho-hum affairs: industrial, basic and run-down with a pervasive smell of smoke throughout the whole building. The Westin Los Angeles Airport somewhat breaks that mold. It sits on Century Blvd. just a hop and skip off the I-405 and about 5 minutes from the airport. There is free shuttle service, but you share the shuttle with the Holiday Inn, so don't be surprised if you make a stop on the way to the terminal. The shuttle is very comfortable, with plush leather seats. I found the driver incomprehensible.

There was only a small line at check-in, even though there was a convention going on at the hotel. I was served by a staff member from Germany, who promptly checked me into a room according to my bed preference and sent us on our way. (For Gold and Platinum members, they invite you to check-in at the lounge with hors d'oeuvres and free internet.) The lobby was large with several different seating areas. The bar with trendy furniture blended openly into the lobby. A grand piano sat off in a corner. We walked a six or so blocks over to Avis to pick up our rental car and the valet let us park in the driveway for 15 minutes while we rushed up to change.

The elevators came quickly and were nice a big. They whisked us up to our room -- a typical, roomy Westin room with Heavenly Beds and a Heavenly Shower. The bathroom was not large and had the basic necessities and a bath/shower combo. The amenities were generic Westin brand. The room itself was spacious and was perpendicular to the landing pattern for airplanes. (It was not noisy and we could watch the airliners drop towards the runway.) Opposite the beds was a room-long, dark wood desk with a television, brochures, and a coffee maker (with Starbucks). The room style was modern and the hotel may have been renovated recently.

We called down to the "concierge desk" for some restaurant recommendations in Hermosa Beach. I don't think there is an actual concierge at this hotel, as the gentleman we spoke too answered the phone "Service Express." He did not seem too knowledgable about area restaurants and suggested a few in Manhattan Beach instead. Since we were meeting up with friends in Hermosa, we insisted on a seafood restaurant. He seemingly surfed around on the internet then put us on hold for a few minutes. He eventually came back and had us talk to a bellboy who recommended a place on the Hermosa Beach pier. The recommendation turned out to be spot-on what we wanted; although I was not impressed with the level of knowledge or professionalism exhibited by the concierge. Maybe they should promote the bellboy.

We had an early morning flight the next day and returned the car before heading back to the hotel for the night. The wake-up call came as planned and we muddled down to the lobby. The airport bus arrived promptly (with the incomprehensible driver) and after a stop of the Holiday Inn (and maybe one other hotel? I wasn't paying attention at that hour!) we were on our way to the airport. It took about 18 minutes after unloading the other passengers before we finally reached our terminal.

The Westin Los Angeles airport bills itself as "the best hotel at the LAX airport" and it was overall a decent experience. I enjoy Westin hotels, especially the beds, so it beat your typical airport Courtyard or Crowne Plaza experience by eons. Just don't have high expectations of the concierge staff.

Review by John P.

Posted at September 9, 2006 11:33 PM