LAX Marriott: Your Dream LA Getaway Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups! We're about to dive headfirst into the swirling, sometimes chaotic, world of the LAX Marriott! Forget those perfectly polished travel blogs – this is a review that’s going to spill the tea, the coffee, and maybe even a little bit of my existential dread.
LAX Marriott: Your Dream LA Getaway… Awaits? (Or Does It?) My Honest, Slightly Jittery Take.
First off, the dream part? Let’s pump the brakes a little. LAX, bless its heart, is not exactly the gateway to paradise. But hey, if you're stranded in La La Land, you could do way worse than the LAX Marriott. This place is… well, it’s a thing. And that’s a good starting point.
Accessibility – The Okay Zone (and a Little Room for Improvement!)
Okay, let's get serious for a moment. Accessibility is HUGE, and I'm always watching out for it because, frankly, everyone deserves a decent stay. The Marriott does have Facilities for disabled guests, which is a massive thumbs up. They’ve got an elevator, which is essential. Now, I didn’t personally need any specific accessibility features on this visit (more on that later…), but I did see clear signage and what appeared to be decent ramp access in key areas. The devil, as they say, is in the details, so I can’t give a definitive rave review, but it seems like they're genuinely trying.
The Check-in/out [express] option is a lifesaver after a long flight, even if you’re not in a hurry. Check-in/out [private] is another plus, if you're avoiding the masses.
(Rambling Interlude: Airport Angst and Pre-Coffee Frenzy)
You know what I hate? Airports. Just a vortex of anxiety and overpriced snacks. The thought of getting stuck anywhere near LAX… it gives me the shivers. So, the fact that the Marriott attempts to make that whole experience less… awful… by offering these services is a definite win. But let's admit it, even the best hotel can't fully erase the memory of that delayed flight and the guy in the Hawaiian shirt who really should have rethought his life choices.
Cleanliness and Safety – Pandemic Edition (Mostly Good Vibes)
This is where things get fascinating. The Marriott is clearly trying its best to be squeaky clean. They’ve got a whole arsenal: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer galore, and the big one: Rooms sanitized between stays. They boast Hygiene certification, and the staff are Staff trained in safety protocol. This all makes me feel… reassured. Not entirely convinced, mind you. I'm still that person who sanitizes the remote control before I use it. However, all the effort is certainly noticeable.
The Safe dining setup is also very welcome. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items are non-negotiable, in my book. Speaking of which, I also saw Individually-wrapped food options and the Physical distancing of at least 1 meter being pretty well followed. It’s as safe as it can be, given the circumstances.
I didn’t opt-out of the room sanitization, because who wants to? Though, I'll admit, the idea of deciding not to have my room fumigated is kind of… tempting. Maybe next time.
Rooms – Comfort, Maybe Not Bliss (But Hey, It’s a Hotel!)
Here's where the Marriott starts to feel… like a Marriott. The rooms are… fine. Absolutely fine. Non-smoking rooms are, well, a necessity. Air conditioning is crucial – it's LA, after all. And the Free Wi-Fi in the room? Praise be!
The Blackout curtains were a godsend after a rough red-eye. The Bed was… a bed. Comfy enough, but not the kind you write poetry about. The Bathrobes were fluffy, though, and I definitely appreciated snagging a bottle of water as soon as I arrived.
They've got all the basics covered: Coffee/tea maker, Desk (for pretending to work), Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Mini bar. etc. The Mirror was good for judging myself. But… let's be honest, nobody expects a palatial experience in a hotel near LAX.
The Shower worked. That's the main thing. Though, the slightly lukewarm water after a day of travel was a bummer.
(More Rambling: The Art of the Hotel Room, and My Relationship with Pillows)
Does anyone else have a weird relationship with hotel pillows? Like, are they too fluffy? Too flat? Always slightly… off? I usually spend the first ten minutes of my stay trying to find the perfect pillow position. It's a serious skill, honestly. Anyway, the Marriott's pillows were… adequate. Perfectly average. Which, in the grand scheme of things, is a win.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Food, Glorious Food!
Okay, confession time: I am a massive eater. Food is my love language. And the LAX Marriott throws a lot at you:
- Restaurants: Plural! Always a good sign.
- Bar: Essential for post-flight decompression.
- Coffee shop: Coffee. Enough said.
- Poolside bar: Maybe not a priority if you’re there on business.
- Room service [24-hour]: Blessing!
- Breakfast [buffet]: A chaotic delight.
- Snack bar: Got to eat!
I Breakfast [buffet] at the LAX Marriott was good - I drank coffee/tea in restaurant, I took advantage of the A la carte in restaurant, and I had a salad in restaurant to avoid the carbs of the Buffet in restaurant.
The Good: The convenience is amazing. You can stumble down for a bite, grab a quick coffee before a meeting, or have something delivered to your room at 3 am. And the Happy hour? Don't get me started.
The Not So Good: Airport hotels are usually pretty generic. There's a certain… lack of soul. Though, the chefs seem committed to providing fresh meals based on the Alternative meal arrangement.
(Even More Rambling: The Buffet – A Study in Human Behavior)
Buffets are a fascinating study in human behavior, aren't they? People piling plates high, desperate to "get their money's worth." The slightly glazed-over look of contentment that comes over a person after they've eaten way too much scrambled eggs. It's a spectacle! The LAX Marriott buffet was… well, it had the usual suspects. The waffles-to-bacon ratio was slightly off, in my humble opinion.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – The Spa-aaah (And the Fitness Center – or Not!)
You're at an airport hotel. Let's be realistic. "Things to do" are probably "wait for your flight" and "try not to have a total meltdown." But! The Marriott 100% offers some ways to de-stress.
- Fitness center: Good for working off those buffet calories, if you’re a masochist, or just a gym rat.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: I peeked. I saw a glimpse of sunbathers.
- Spa: Yes! A spa! Hopefully, it has a Sauna and a Steamroom (I didn’t investigate fully. I was too busy thinking about getting a massage!)
- Massage: This is my dream!
- Spa/sauna: If you want to make your trip worthy!
(Rambling: The Elusive Dream of a Relaxing Hotel Stay)
I have this fantasy of having an entire spa day in a hotel. Getting a massage, chilling in the sauna, maybe even trying a body wrap (I’m intrigued!). That being said, I've never actually done it. Maybe this trip… Maybe not.
Services and Conveniences – The Practical Stuff (Thank Goodness!)
This is the meat and potatoes of any good hotel. And the Marriott delivers.
- Concierge: Always helpful for navigating the chaos.
- Currency exchange: Useful for those international travelers.
- Daily housekeeping: Clean sheets are a beautiful thing.
- Elevator: Crucial.
- Luggage storage: Because who wants to lug their suitcase everywhere?
- Laundry service: Essential after a travel mishap.
The Car park [free of charge] is a bonus if you're driving.
(Rambling: The Sweet, Sweet Relief of a Clean Hotel Room)
There's something indescribably comforting about walking into a freshly cleaned hotel room. The crisp sheets, the perfectly made bed, the lack of… evidence of previous occupants. It's a small slice of heaven. Even with all the anxieties of
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. This is a chaotic, delicious, and probably-slightly-delayed dive into the heart of… well, the Los Angeles Airport Marriott. Let's be real, the heart of any airport hotel.
Subject: My Existential Crisis (and My Travel Itinerary, Maybe) at the LAX Marriott
Day 1: Arrival and the Crushing Reality of "Travel Dreams"
- 1:00 PM (ish): Land at LAX. Actually, let's be honest, it was more like 1:47 PM. Delayed flight, naturally. First thought? "Ugh." Second thought? "Wow, that guy is really committed to his oversized novelty foam finger." I think he's pointing it at me. Are you kidding me?
- 2:30 PM: Shuttle to the Marriott. The driver, bless his soul, looked like he'd seen some things. Specifically, a lot of tired travelers. He mumbled something about "traffic" and "the eternal struggle." I felt him.
- 3:00 PM: Check-in. The Front Desk Tango. Okay, so the front desk guy was either new or had a permanent case of "I'd rather be anywhere else." Took forever. My room key didn't work the first time. Then, I was pretty sure I saw someone from my flight get locked out of their room, and I couldn't help but think "oh good, I'm not the only one". "Welcome to the Marriott!" he chirped. I doubt he was genuinely happy about it. I, on the other hand, was already picturing the hotel bar.
- 3:30 PM: The Room: A Study in Beige and Soul-Crushing Comfort. Okay, "comfort" is a stretch. The room was…functional. Two queen beds (why? Who needs two queen beds by themselves on a business trip?), a desk that looked like it had seen better days, and a window that offered a stunning view of… another hotel. Well, I guess I can play "spot the fire escape." The carpet was a particularly offensive shade of… well, beige. It's the international color of "I give up," right?
- 4:00 PM: The Bathroom Blues & the Mini Bar's Sad Plight. The bathroom sink? Looked like it hadn't been scrubbed in a geological era, and oh God, those miniature shampoos and conditioners that are probably going to leak all over everything. What a waste, I thought, as I eyed the mini-fridge. Empty, except for a sad little price list. This is where my budget begins to cry, I can feel it.
- 4:30 PM: The Bar. Salvation or Self-Destruction? This is where the magic starts, you know? And by magic, I mean ordering an Old Fashioned and watching the world (or at least, the hotel lobby) go by. The bartender was a local legend (I could tell), and he seemed to have a story for every cocktail. The lady behind the bar with me looked like she was preparing for a fight, I bet she was on edge, she almost looked like she was going to cry. I gave up an entire afternoon I needed to be productive, I just looked at the bar, and the bar looked back at me.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at the Hotel Restaurant (Or, The Culinary Equivalent of Beige). Okay, I'll be honest: it was… edible. I had the chicken and it wasn't awful. The waitress was very nice, though, and I made a point of telling her. The ambiance? Think fluorescent lighting and the gentle hum of "I'm just here to not be in my room."
- 7:30 PM: The Gym: A Brief, Shameful Encounter. I told myself I'd go. I even packed my workout clothes. But when I got there, I felt… defeated. And the treadmill lineup was a marathon, not a sprint. I walked out. No regrets.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the Room. The Bed: My Only Friend? Okay, the bed was comfortable. I watched some mindless TV (reality shows, naturally), and drifted off, already dreaming of the next day's escape.
Day 2: The Search for Something… More
- 7:00 AM: The Breakfast Buffet: A Symphony of Regrets. I mean, it's hotel breakfast. You know the drill. Overcooked scrambled eggs, rubbery bacon, and a "fresh fruit" selection that looked like it had been through a war. I did find a decent croissant, bless it.
- 8:00 AM: The Business Center: Another Exercise in Futility. The Wi-Fi was slower than my grandmother's dial-up, one of the computers was apparently frozen in 2004, and the printer? Well, let's just say I spent more time wrestling with it than actually getting work done.
- 9:00 AM: The Pool: A Glimmer of Hope… and Chlorine. The pool area was actually okay! A few brave souls were already sunbathing (they looked like they had their lives more together than I did), and the air was warm. I dipped my toes in the water. Decided against full immersion. Too much chlorine.
- 10:00 AM: The Lobby: People Watching, Part II. The LAX Marriott is a masterclass in humanity. I saw a man yelling into his phone, a teenager glued to his phone, a couple looking lovingly at each other (I rolled my eyes) and several confused travelers. A never-ending stream of people arriving, departing, and generally looking baffled at how they ended up here. I realized I probably matched their vibe.
- 11:00 AM: The Escape Plan Begins: Uber to… Anywhere. My meeting was canceled, and the existential dread was beginning to creep in. Time for an adventure. I'm thinking something with sunshine and, if possible, a view that doesn't involve another hotel.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch in… Santa Monica! Finally, a Breath of Fresh Air. Okay, so traffic was a nightmare. But finally, made it to Santa Monica! Ate fish tacos on the pier. They were amazing, and I'd even had a good convo with the person making them. The ocean breeze felt like a godsend. Suddenly, the Marriott seemed a lifetime away.
- 3:00 PM: Back to the Marriott. The Reluctant Return. Okay, so I had to return, it's part of the plan. The hotel felt even more beige, and sad, on my return. It’s where my tired head was supposed to sleep. Back into the abyss!
- 4:00 PM: Post-Santa Monica Regret and the Second Bar Visit. Okay, so, after realizing how much time I spent getting out of the area, I went to the bar. I decided I needed to find it. The bartender remembered me, which was embarrassing, but he made a damn good martini, so, you know, worth it.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at the Hotel (Again. Because, options). Hey, I was tired. I had the same damn chicken as the last day, the waitress was there, and she smiled at me. We talked a bit about the hotel.
- 7:30 PM: The Gym (Attempt 2): I Give Up. Too tired. I am content enough after having the bar. No, no gym.
- 8:00 PM: The Bed: This Time, with Less Regret. Honestly, the bed was actually pretty good. And the TV offerings were, again, appropriately mindless. That's all I needed.
Day 3: Departure and the Lingering Smell of Beige
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast (The Usual). Okay, I think I've maxed out my hotel breakfast experiences.
- 8:00 AM: Packing: A Symphony of Mild Panic. Where did all this stuff come from? And how to do I get it all into a suitcase?
- 9:00 AM: Check-out. The Quick Escape. This time, the front desk guy actually smiled. Maybe he was happy it was my last day too.
- 10:00 AM: Shuttle to LAX. The Farewell Foam Finger Farewell. Back to the airport. And that guy with the foam finger? He wasn't there anymore. Damn.
- 11:00 AM: The Flight: Freedom! (Maybe). The flight was on time. And I spent the whole time hoping I didn't have to visit another airport hotel, at least not for a while.
Final Thoughts:
The LAX Marriott. It's not the Ritz. It's not a destination. But it's a place. A place where dreams come to die (or at least, be temporarily suspended). A place where you can ponder the meaning of life… or just watch endless reality TV. It's flawed, it's a little bit sad, and it’s utterly, wonderfully human. And, hey, at least the bed was comfy.
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LAX Marriott: Your Dream Getaway... or Total Airport Chaos? Let's Unpack This Together!
Okay, real talk: Is the LAX Marriott *actually* convenient for LAX? I'm picturing a 3-hour shuttle journey...
Alright, let's be brutally honest. *Convenient* is a subjective word when dealing with LAX. The LAX Marriott is, however, *relatively* convenient. They’ve got a shuttle, which is a lifesaver after a red-eye, but the crucial thing is...traffic. Let me tell you, I once spent a solid 45 minutes in that shuttle just crawling from Terminal 4 to the hotel. Forty-five minutes! I was picturing myself as some kind of modern-day explorer, charting the treacherous (and incredibly slow) terrain of the LAX perimeter road. So, yeah, it’s close, but don't bank on a blink-of-an-eye transfer. Give yourself *plenty* of buffer time. More than you think you need. And download a podcast. Trust me. Or better yet, pack a snack. Hangry-ness on a shuttle is not a cute look.
What are the rooms like? Cozy? Cramped? Did you find a stray sock under your bed, because, lets be honest, it always happens...
Rooms... right. Okay, so the rooms are... well, they are what you'd expect from a big airport hotel. Think functional, rather than *flamboyant*. They are usually clean, which is a HUGE win, and I haven’t found any rogue socks *yet* (knocks wood frantically). The beds are comfy enough to pass out on after a long haul flight, which is the main goal, right? I’ve had a few rooms with views of the... well, of *more* airport. That's not the most glamorous view, but hey, it's a different kind of entertainment. Sometimes I just sit and watch the planes land, like a weird avation enthusiast. Other times, I just pull the curtains closed and pretend I'm not in an airport. It's about perspective, I tell ya!
Breakfast: Worth it? Or should I just raid the vending machine for a bag of chips? I need the gritty details!
Okay, breakfast. This is where things get... interesting. They DO have breakfast, right? Look, I've had some epic hotel breakfasts and some... well, let's just say they were fuel. The LAX Marriott breakfast? It's probably fine. They offer the usual suspects: eggs, maybe some sad-looking bacon, pastries, and, of course, the all-important coffee. I personally usually opt to grabbing a coffee from the in-house coffee shop (hello, caffeine fix!), and I find that much more appealing that the breakfast buffet. If you're a big breakfast person, maybe venture out. Otherwise, yeah, a bag of chips and a coffee *might* be the move. But maybe, just maybe, give the breakfast a look...you never know, the bacon could be crispy that day! It's a gamble.
Is there a gym? Because after sitting on a plane for 14 hours, my legs feel like lead!
Yes! Thankfully, yes. They do have a gym! And honestly, it’s a lifesaver. It's not the biggest gym in the world, but it has the basics: treadmills, ellipticals, weights, the whole shebang. After being cramped in a metal tube for an ungodly amount of time, you NEED something to do to get the blood flowing again. Trust me, use the gym. You. Will. Feel. So. Much. Better. I've walked out of that gym feeling like a new person. And seriously, the lead legs thing? Completely relatable. I get it. Go flex those atrophied muscles!
Any decent places to eat *near* the hotel? I'm not talking about gas station sushi, please.
Okay, this is where things get a bit... limited. You are, after all, stuck in the airport vortex vicinity. There's not a ton within walking distance. You'll probably need to use the shuttle to get to restaurants, and that can eat into your time. You can sometimes find something decent in the airport (surprisingly!), and a few chain restaurants nearby if you're craving something specific. A quick search on Google maps is your best bet for whatever you're craving!
What’s the Wi-Fi like? Is it fast enough to actually, you know, *work*?
Wi-Fi... Ah, the bane of the modern traveler's existence. The Wi-Fi at the LAX Marriott is generally okay. It works. You can probably check your email, browse the web, and maybe even stream a show if you're lucky. But don't expect lightning-fast speeds, especially during peak hours. I've had some moments where I wanted to throw my laptop out the window (kidding! Mostly). If you're relying on it for super important work, maybe consider a hotspot or tethering to your phone just to be safe. And pray to the internet gods!
I've got a REALLY early flight. Will I be able to get the airport shuttle at, like, 4 AM? Am I doomed to Uber hell?
The shuttle. Ah, the shuttle of the damned! Actually, the answer is probably yes, you should be able to get the shuttle that early. I've used it for ridiculously early flights. Check with the front desk when you check in, because schedules can change. They usually run pretty darn frequently, like every 15-20 minutes, but double-checking is always a smart idea. If for some reason you can't rely on the shuttle, then yes, Uber/Lyft is your friend. Be prepared for surge pricing, especially that early in the AM! And try to book it a little early, the drivers can be in high demand.
Okay, let's say everything goes wrong. What's the customer service like? Are they helpful or are they just going through the motions?
Customer service... this is where things could go either way. I've had experiences that were AMAZING - friendly staff, eager to help, going above and beyond to solve a problem. And I've had experiences that... well, I'll just say they weren't *quite* as stellar. It kind of depends on the day, who you talk to, and how busy they are. My advice? Be polite, be patient, and try to be understanding. They're probably dealing with all sorts of stressed-out travelers. But if there's an issue, absolutely speak up! They generally want to make things right, even if it takes a little time. And a little kindness goes a long way, you knowHotel Search Trek
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