I%26#39;ll be in MDR for a conference at the Marriott. Are there any hotels within walking distance that are a bit less spendy but still in a safe area? I would like access to a gym. Also, is a car necessary? It would be nice to be able to go out in the evenings (maybe shopping if I skip a lecture or two) but I%26#39;d prefer walking or short taxi trips. Thanks for any advice!
Marina del Rey adviceMarina del Rey is very small and all of it is safe. There are restaurants and cafes on Washington, along the Venice Boardwalk, and up and down Abbot Kinney, all walking distance from Washington and Abbot Kinney (stick to that area as it%26#39;s closest to Via Marina). A taxi to Santa Monica is very inexpensive and quick, or take the Tide Shuttle for 25cents from Main and Rose, in Venice. Venice is also close by the Marina. That price for the Marriot (around $200/night) is not considered pricey for the area, it%26#39;s the average for the beach areas, considered the lower end of rates.
Look for something in your price range (likely without a gym, although you could go to Gold%26#39;s for the day, just google Gold%26#39;s Gym) here:
tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g32684-Marina_del_Rey鈥?/a>
Marina del Rey advicethanks for the good advice yogachik. If the weather is nice, biking or skating along the ocean is a much better alternative to a gym!
The only other less expensive alternative is the Venice Beach House. It%26#39;s a small B%26amp;B, 9 rooms, and the rooms with the shared baths start around $150/night. Alas, no gym, but easy access to the bike path that goes along the beach.
It%26#39;s located about a 10 minute walk or a 3 minute drive to the Marriott. And it%26#39;s right on the beach. Very cute.
Regarding Hotels - Yes there are a couple of good options for you - 2 doors down from the Marriott is the Marina International Hotel. It is 135 rooms (check their website), it%26#39;s modest and the rooms are clean and reasonable. It has a small lobby,bar and restaurant, and is about 200 yds from the Marriott. Another option immediately across the street from the Marriott is a little 23 room motor inn/b%26amp;B called the Foghorn Harbor Inn. They are family owned, located on Marina Beach, and a modest breakfast is included. The Foghorn will pay for your transfers from LAX.
Regarding Gyms - there is a little neighborhood gym about 1-2 blocks away from the Marriott called Marina Fitness Center 310-821-1662; they have day rates for visitors to the area. I think that will work for you.
Shopping - (1) modest shops at the end of Washington Blvd near the Venice Pier, about 1/2 mile from the hotel, but there is not much there. (2) Venice Boardwalk but mostly touristy items and more on the weekends than weekdays (3) Abbot Kinney Boulevard - artsy shops and boutiques and galleries (4)Santa Monica is 3 miles north and an easy cab ride.
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