4N in LA accom recomendations

Question

Hi All

Aussies couple mid 40s that have 4n in LA.

Planning on doing the usual tourist sites:

Santa Monica

Hollywood sign & Observatory

Walk of Fame & TCL

Possibly Disneyland or Universal for one day

Keen to use public transport (Metro) in combination with Uber/Lyft etc

Not adverse to staying in Chinatown etc as that's what we usually lean to when staying in the capitol cities of Australia.

Also given that the room is just a base and we will be out pretty much all 3 days, I really don't want to spend more than $300 aud per night, if possible

Happy for some advice as I have been looking for days

Answer

For a 4-night stay in Los Angeles focusing on tourist spots, your accommodation choice should balance location, safety, and access to public transport while staying within your budget of around $300 AUD per night (roughly $200 USD).

Given your itinerary—Santa Monica, Hollywood Sign & Observatory, Walk of Fame, TCL, and possibly a theme park—staying centrally in areas like Downtown LA (including Chinatown), Hollywood, or near Koreatown makes sense. This allows easy Metro access combined with Uber/Lyft for spots not directly on public transit routes.

Some recommended areas and hotels:

Downtown LA / Chinatown: Convenient for Metro Red and Gold Lines. Good for exploring downtown attractions, Chinatown, and easy access to Hollywood via Metro or rideshare. Budget-friendly hotels here are often modern, clean, and reasonably priced.
Hollywood / Sunset Blvd: Walking distance to Walk of Fame, TCL, and closer to Griffith Observatory. You can use the Metro Red Line to reach Downtown and Universal Studios. Some mid-range hotels are available within your budget.
Koreatown: Offers safe streets, lots of restaurants, and is central to Hollywood, Downtown, and Mid-Wilshire. Hotels here tend to be more affordable, and Metro access via Wilshire/Normandie station is convenient.

Specific hotel suggestions (within budget, based on mid-range quality and location):

The LINE Hotel, Koreatown – modern, good access to Metro and rideshare.
Hotel Normandie, Koreatown – historic building, well-rated, central location.
Freehand Los Angeles, Downtown / Central – stylish hostel-hotel hybrid, good for public transport access.
Hollywood Orchid Suites / Hollywood Historic Hotel – walking distance to Walk of Fame and Red Line.

Tips:

Book early, especially if traveling in July, as prices can spike.
Use a combination of Metro and rideshare—Metro covers most major tourist areas but some sites like Santa Monica require either a transfer or rideshare from the end of the line.
Downtown LA is generally safe in the main tourist and hotel areas, including Chinatown, but avoid isolated streets at night.
Santa Monica is best accessed for a day trip, so staying centrally in Hollywood/Downtown is more efficient than moving hotels to the coast.

With this approach, you can efficiently use public transport, Uber/Lyft for hard-to-reach spots, and stay in comfortable, safe accommodations within your budget while maximizing sightseeing.

4N in LA accom recomendations

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