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Hotel Normandie vs Hotel Roosevelt?
Roosevelt would obvi… I'm planning a solo trip to LA for February, I'll be doing 4 days in Vegas then 4/5 in SF then 5/6 in LA, and I'm currently facing a choice paralysis trying to decide on a hotel!
Roosevelt would obviously be my choice in a perfect world, location wise, history etc. my trip is going to be very Hollywood history centric. But the Normandie looks really good and classic Hollywood style too and for more than half the price... £500 vs £1200 for 5 nights! But the issue with the Normandie is the location, the things at the top of my list are studio tours and Academy/Grammy museums which Roosevelt is more convenient for, and I've read not so great things about the public transport, so I don't know if the Roosevelt would save on the hassle and costs of transport.
I'm also trying to decide between 4/6 nights in SF and LA or staying 5/5 - ideally I think I'd like 6 as there is more to do in LA for me, but that would rule out the Roosevelt as it'd push the price to £1500. Or even trimming my Vegas trip to 3 days as I'm only really going for concerts and don't love the idea of being there alone for too long.
It's a tricky one and I'm feeling under time pressure now, what would you guys recommend? Is it worth saving my money and staying at the Normandie or should I go with being in and about the action in Hollywood?
ngl i'd do 3 nights in vegas and put that extra night towards LA with the Roosevelt. the grammy museum is in dtla which is like a 15 min uber from both hotels anyway, but from the Roosevelt you can walk to the Hollywood Museum and the Max Factor building which are both worth it for a history buff. the Normandie is fine but you'll waste time and money on ubers to all the hollywood stuff and that walk to the purple line from wilshire is doable but not great at night alone. if you book the Roosevelt on a weekday in february it might be closer to $200 a night, check their direct site or a flexible rate
yeah honestly koreatown where normandie is has way better food than hollywood anyway, you'll be eating well. and the red line goes straight from koreatown to universal studios if you're doing that tour, super easy
honestly if you're doing 6 days in LA and hollywood history is your thing, i'd say go Normandie and use the savings on ubers. the Roosevelt is cool but you're paying a premium for the pool and the bar scene, not the history. the Normandie is actually more old-school hollywood vibes in my opinion, it's where a lot of writers and musicians stayed back in the day. you can uber to the museums and studio tours for like $10-15 each way from koreatown, and the metro purple line is a 10 min walk from the Normandie if you want to save a couple bucks. the Roosevelt's location is walkable to the walk of fame and the chinese theatre but honestly that stretch of hollywood blvd gets sketchy at night and you'll prob still uber to the grammy museum anyway since it's downtown. so you're not really saving that much hassle imo
Things to Do in Los Angeles (2026)
Start with the Hollywood Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard, where over 2,700 stars honor celebrities. For a classic photo, hike up to the Griffith Observatory for sweeping vi… 🌴 Iconic Sights
Start with the Hollywood Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard, where over 2,700 stars honor celebrities. For a classic photo, hike up to the Griffith Observatory for sweeping views of the city and the Hollywood Sign. Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends.
🎨 Museums and Culture
The Getty Center in Brentwood offers free admission (parking $20) and stunning gardens with art from the Middle Ages to modern times. For contemporary art, head to The Broad in downtown LA, which has free timed-entry tickets for Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Rooms. Book online weeks ahead.
🏖️ Beach Day Essentials
Santa Monica Pier is a lively spot with an amusement park and aquarium, but for a quieter vibe, try Manhattan Beach with its wide sandy shores and local shops. Both have bike paths connecting to Venice Beach, where you can watch skateboarders at the famous Venice Skate Park.
🍽️ Foodie Hotspots
Grand Central Market in downtown LA has been a food hall since 1917, offering everything from tacos at Tacos Tumbras a Tomas to egg sandwiches at Eggslut. For Korean BBQ, head to Koreatown's Park's BBQ, where the beef short ribs are a must-try. Expect lines on weekends.
🚶 Hidden Neighborhoods
Explore the Arts District for street art and industrial-chic galleries, then grab coffee at Blue Bottle. Echo Park is great for a stroll around the lake and vintage shopping on Sunset Boulevard. Both neighborhoods are walkable and less touristy than Hollywood.
🚌 Getting Around
LA's Metro system has expanded with the K Line connecting Crenshaw to the Westside, but a car is still the most convenient option. Rideshares are widely available, but traffic on the 405 and 101 can be heavy from 7-10 AM and 4-7 PM. Consider renting a bike for beach areas.
🌆 Best Evening Spots
Catch sunset at the rooftop bar of the Ace Hotel in downtown LA, which offers craft cocktails and views of the city skyline. For live music, the Hollywood Bowl hosts concerts from May to October, with affordable bench seats starting around $20. Pack a picnic for a classic LA experience.
💡 Local Tips
Many museums offer free admission on certain days, like the Natural History Museum on the first Tuesday of the month. Parking can be expensive, so use apps like SpotHero to reserve spots ahead. Always carry a reusable water bottle, as tap water is safe and refill stations are common.
Seconding the Academy Museum free day tip, that's a solid addition. One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the Griffith Observatory can get completely overrun on summer weekends, to the point where they close the road to cars. If you're not up for the hike from the bottom, take the DASH Observatory bus from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station, it's 50 cents and drops you right at the door. Also, for a quick beach lunch that's not a tourist trap, the fish tacos at Fishing with Dynamite in Manhattan Beach are worth the short walk from the pier.
one thing the guide doesnt mention is that the getty center has a free shuttle from the parking structure up to the museum, so you dont have to hike the hill unless you want to. also if you go on a weekday morning the gardens are basically empty and the light is perfect for photos. for a quick bite after, the cafeteria is overpriced but the hot dog stand outside the tram stop has decent cheap snacks
honestly the guide is pretty solid but i think theyre sleeping on the food scene in the san gabriel valley. if you have a car and an afternoon, drive out to monterey park for some of the best chinese food in the country. the soup dumplings at din tai fung are famous for a reason but the real hidden gem is the xiao long bao at mei long village just down the street. way less of a wait and just as good. also for a chill evening that's not downtown, the rooftop at the standard on sunset has a great vibe and you can see