<p>I'm planning to visit USC in early-mid May and I was wondering what hotels would be a good place to stay. I checked out the suggested list on USC's website, but is there a lot to do around the area? Would it make sense to stay in Beverly Hills? Is USC easy to get to from BH? I will be visiting other colleges in the area as well (Pepperdine, Occidental, and maybe the Claremont Colleges)</p>
<p>Also, how expensive are taxis in LA? Would this be the most logical way to get from the hotel to USC?</p>
<p>ca87, I live in LA, and while others might recommend hotels in downtown LA for purposes of getting to and from USC, I would never stay downtown if you’re planning on taking in more of the area. LA’s downtown is not like the downtowns of other cities - it’s business, more business, convention center and some (but certainly not all) theater. But… there’s no there there. Pretty it is not. And you’re in LA - why not stay someplace… sunnier?</p>
<p>Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, West Hollywood are all nicer and more centrally located (to all of LA’s sights) than downtown. If you’re open to those areas, I would suggest using Tripadvisor or Expedia and seeing what looks good. There are so many great hotels in every price range (although perhaps not in BH). While it’s possible to get a cab from one major place to another, NYC/Boston/SF/Chicago, it’s not (cabwise). It’s just too spread out. It’s very difficult to see or get around in LA without renting a car, particularly if you want to see all those other schools (which you should!).</p>
<p>Also, if you time it right (as in avoiding major traffic), it’s 20 - 25 minutes from BH to USC by car.</p>
<p>When we visited USC and UCLA this past August we stayed in the greatest place in Hollywood right in back of the Kodak Theater. You can just go right through a walkway and there you are on Hollywood Blvd! You actually go through the Hollywood and Highland Center first. It’s a wonderful open-air shopping/eatery entertainment place. Grauman’s Theater and all the Hollywood Hilarity within a few steps.</p>
<p>The hotel is called: [Orchid</a> Suites Hotel - Hollywood’s Best Hotel Value- Free WiFi Wireless Internet](<a href=“http://www.orchidsuites.com/]Orchid”>http://www.orchidsuites.com/) There were four of us, so we had a huge King suite. It actually looks like they used to be apartments. Large living room and full kitchen. Separate Kind bedroom down a hallway across from the bathroom. Sofa bed and other furniture in the LR. Dining room table. Pool and rooftop garden area. It’s a GREAT hotel as a base for visiting the area. Safe neighborhood, too. Complimentary breakfast. It gets great reviews on TripAdvisor. And the price is RIGHT! Free, secure parking, too!</p>
<p>We actually had driven down in our own car from N.California. If you’re flying in, it definitely would be a good idea to rent a car, particularly if you plan to do a lot of sight seeing and visiting other schools in the area. </p>
<p>As for the hotel, maybe you were counting on something a bit more “posh” (and expensive). But if you want to save and still have a good “homebase” close to everything, Hollywood Orchid Suites is the way to go. A lot of Europeans stay here, as well.
Best wishes to you!</p>
<p>Just keep in mind that while Hollywood is very centrally located, it is also very touristy. If you prefer something a bit more upscale (and likely a bit costlier), try Westwood, BH, or West Hollywood. If want to be near the beach, Santa Monica is awesome. You may not get a deal like 2Leashes’ hotel, but there is a range to be found. </p>
<p>With the schools you want to visit, you’re going to be driving regardless.</p>
<p>What I like about this little hotel is how it’s located in a residential neighborhood *behind *all the Hollywood glitz. You would never know you were in La-La land. It’s like a different world when you walk out on to the Blvd. Or you can take a stroll on the quieter side where the hotel sits. It’s on the edge of West Hollywood–2 miles away. About 20 minutes from UCLA (Westwood).</p>
<p>Myself, I’m not a Beverly Hills kinda gal. We drove down Rodeo Drive and for me it was a yawn. But, ca87 might really enjoy it. I had more fun at Hollywood and Highland and I’m pushing 60. We only visited two schools while we were down there, so we also enjoyed driving around and checking out the stars’ homes (didn’t see much:) And, earlier we were in Orange County celebrating my daughter’s 17th birthday at Disneyland. Other than that, we didn’t do much sightseeing. We didn’t need to see the ocean since we live in a beach town. If we had more time we could have taken the Metro to Universal Studios. Just a couple stops away. Very easy from where we stayed. But our time was limited.</p>
<p>Good luck to you where ever you end up staying!</p>
<p>**jazz/shreddermom said:</p>
<p>Just keep in mind that while Hollywood is very centrally located, it is also very touristy. If you prefer something a bit more upscale (and likely a bit costlier), try Westwood, BH, or West Hollywood. If want to be near the beach, Santa Monica is awesome. You may not get a deal like 2Leashes’ hotel, but there is a range to be found. </p>
<p>With the schools you want to visit, you’re going to be driving regardless.**</p>
It’s like a different world when you walk out on to the Blvd. Or you can take a stroll on the quieter side where the hotel sits. It’s on the edge of West Hollywood–2 miles away. About 20 minutes from UCLA (Westwood).</p>