| Embassy Suites LAX South (Note that there are 2 Embassy Suites at Los Angeles Airport, you require the hotel at LAX South, 1440E Imperial Av, El Segundo)
Last Update Jan 2016 |
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| Now regarded as the 1st choice for many visiting LAX. The hotel has a bar and restaurant and free buffet breakfast and free alcohol and snacks between 1730-1930.
Car parking in 2011 was $22 a day, however you can park on the street outside for free except between 0800-1000 (maybe a good time to drive to Imperial Hill or other locations for photos perhaps). |
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| Location: | *** | On the south side of the airport around a 10 minute shuttle bus journey to the terminals. This is the closest reported hotel to the viewing mound on Imperial Hill. This hotel is now regarded as one of the better locations for spotting, due to it’s views, and also the close location of the Imperial Hill viewing mound. |
| Spotting: | *** | Update Jan 2016 : A new bizz jet hanger is been erected outside of the hotel which may hinder views described below from certain rooms. We await further updates.
Further Update May 2016 : Reports indicate that the favoured rooms 580,581,584 are not affected by the new hanger-views remain good. The new hanger does however block views of most of the bizz apron from all rooms. Ask for a high level room facing the airport (5th floor 501-503 (2 king beds in a room), 550-566, 581, 584 are recommended). The rooms give a good view of the nearest two runways, SBS is required to identify aircraft on the far two runways. Once dark, traffic landing on the far runways are well illuminated on short finals, enough to see the operator and aircraft type. All 5th floor rooms with views rooms are Premium Suites, the standard suites are on the floor below and have more obstructed views. This is probably the closest hotel to the Imperial Hill viewing mound which is around a 10 minute walk away. Room 581 is the favoured room for viewing. The suite is large with a separate lounge area which has sofa, fridge and microwave. The large bedroom has a large king bed and balcony that looks out over to the bizz jet ramp. Although the cargo ramp is not in view, all cargo arrivals after arrival will use the nearby taxiway in front of the balcony to get to the apron. The advantage of this hotel over the majority of those in the central complex is that you can monitor all movements on all runways. Traffic on the nearest two runways can easily be read off, the majority of those on the far runways can easily be seen but require flight tracking software to tie up. On a clear day departures from Santa Monica can also be seen from the balcony as well as very distant views of Burbank arrivals. Parts of the terminal complex is also in view from here with good views onto the American Airlines and Spirit ramps. All of the required rooms are suites located on the 5th floor. Views vary between rooms due to obstructions such as buildings and tall trees. Room 581 and 580 give the best unobstructed views and even allow for photography in the large gaps. Room 502 is also reported as very good for photography. Report credit Andy Kelly below: Staying at the Hilton embassy suites lax south at the moment in room 504, this is a double king suite premium room. You can see all arrivals and departures but you will need SBS or FR24 to tie everything up. Note room 581 Premium King Suite is the usual room spotters use which is central, left of this is ok which is where I am but not too far left, just right of it is ok but too far right and some of the view will be hampered a little because the front of this building is staggered and you have palm trees in your view also. Wifi is free if your a Hilton honors member, rooms are big and spacious, there is a balcony but its not that big, breakfast is very good with a large choice to choose from, bar food in the evening is good, around £20 for a burger but there good portions, 2nd time staying here and look forward to coming back. Second visit Staying at the embassy suites lax south this time in room 581, nothing much to add from the last time I stayed here 16 months ago. Still great views of arrivals and departures, rooms are starting to look a bit aged, maybe a lick of paint here and there, breakfast is still great and is in the price of the hotel. It is still my #1 choice when I visit here. |
| Photos: | *** | Dependant on the rooms, views are good from many however light poles and buildings make photography difficult from a number of rooms. Room 581 is probably the best with taxiway shots and departures from the nearest runway easily possible.
Three stars are given due to the close proximity to the famous Imperial Hill viewing mound where great shots are possible, just a 10 minute walk away. Simply walk out of the hotel and walk left, you will eventually walk up a fairly steep hill, at the top you will see the viewing area on the other side of the road. There are seats and picnic tables with outstanding views over the airport-the local photographers love this place! There is a Seven Eleven and Subway store located over the road where you can stock up on supplies. |
| Value: | * | From £130 per night weekend rates |
| Book: | If you are looking to make your own travel arrangements please click on AGODA or Booking.com to be taken directly to the hotel information page. Please help support our site. We are constantly checking the links for hotels to find the best price offered for our readers. If the price on this site is the best quote you receive, please help us by booking your hotel from the link provided as we receive a small commission payment from the hotel. This helps contribute to the running costs of this site enabling us to continue to offer a great service. | |
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Above: View from Room 581 at the Embassy Suites. Note the 747 is landing on the furthest of the Southerly runways, the nearest runway
to the hotel can be seen behind the bizz jets and offeres great photo opportunities from certain rooms. Credit Dean Mitchell
Above : General view from the Embassy Suites LAX. Credit Pete A. Check out more of Pete’s Airport videos here on his youtube channel
The H Hotel LAX Curio Collection Last Update Feb 2020
This is a new hotel in the central complex of LAX and is bound to become a new favourite with spotters due to the views from the rooms as well as the superb views from the rooftop terrace.
Ideally a corner room is required for the best views. The Superior Corner King Airport View room faces South towards the bizz jet aprons and freight area and Southern runways. As it is a corner room, another window faces west meaning that landers on the Northerly runways can also be seen although flight tracking software is required to tie these up. Departures on the North Runway can easily be read off as they approach the holding point. Room numbers requires are 1025,1125 or 1225, none of these corner rooms are available as double or twin bedded.
The hotel does have Deluxe King Rooms, featuring a King Sized Bed or two doubles. These rooms however on face West. From here, the northern runway departures are easily read off although flight tracking software is required for the southern runways.
The main attraction of this hotel is the rooftop viewing area. Views are stunning from this location. All movements can easily be read off from this location and landing traffic on the north runways can be photographed giving superb results in the LA lighting conditions. Even in night conditions operators can easily be identified as you are so close to the action.
It must be noted that this this hotel is found on the upper levels of the Homewood Suites. Guests of The Homewood Suites do not have access to the roof terrace. The hotel lifts are controlled by your room key, the lift will only give access to the roof terrace to key holders of the Hilton Curio.
This hotel must now rate in the top 10 of world hotels for aviation enthusiasts. Not a lot will be missed from the room, however the rooftop terrace gives fantastic spotting and photographic opportunities.
If you are looking to make your own travel arrangements please click on AGODA or Booking.com to be taken directly to the hotel information page WHERE YOU CAN BOOK YOUR GUARANTEED AIRPORT FACING ROOM. You pay for the views here with room costs around $250 a night but what a view!
Please help support our site. We are constantly checking the links for hotels to find the best price offered for our readers. If the price on this site is the best quote you receive, please help us by booking your hotel from the link provided as we receive a small commission payment from the hotel. This helps contribute to the running costs of this site enabling us to continue to offer a great service.
Above : The viewing deck at the H Hotel gives fantastic views and photo opportunities to hotel guests.
| Hotel June (ex Custom Hotel Lax) Update April 2020 | ||
| Offering Ibis style basic accommodation the Hotel June is situated on the opposite side of the airport to the famous Embassy Suites giving a totally different outlook over the airport. There is a mall over the road from the hotel with a large supermarket, a great steakhouse can be found around 10 minute walk from the hotel. | ||
| Location: | ** | On the north side of the airport so not in a great position for photographers, this hotel does however give excellent views out onto the airfield for plane spotting. |
| Spotting: | *** | There are 12 floors to this hotel, high level rooms ending in the range of 12-20 give great views over the airport. A good pair of binoculars is all that is needed for the nearby two runways, flight tracking is required for the two far runways. The hotels location means that all movements will be seen from here.
On clear days distant views of Long Beach departures can be seen from the rooms. Report Credit : Rob van Ringelesteijn I stayed 1 night in room 1216 and the first 2 nights around the corner facing the airport/ocean. The view from the other corner is more to the hangars at LAX and facing the ocean. Room 1215 and 1216 are facing much more to the airport and with the use of FR24 and SBS it is almost impossible to miss a single plane at LAX, and in my opinion a SUPERB hotel for plane spotting! The hotel isn’t very cheap (150 euro per night appr.), but when the light is changed for photography in the afternoon this hotel is perfect for collecting registrations with a beer in your hand! Parking at the hotel is at the cost of $27,00 but if you park next door at the Ralps supermarket carpark, there is no cost at all and in the morning |
| Photos: | * | Into sun and the hotels windows thickness do not help get quality shots |
| Value: | * | Expensive at around $150 a night but offers great views if you are not interested in photography. |
| Book: | The hotel can be booked through AGODA or Booking.com to be taken directly to the hotel information page which generally offers the best rates for hotel bookings. Please help support our site. We are constantly checking the links for hotels to find the best price offered for our readers. If the price on this site is the best quote you receive, please help us by booking your hotel from the link provided as we receive a small commission payment from the hotel. This helps contribute to the running costs of this site enabling us to continue to offer a great service. |
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Below : Great views can be had from the Hotel June, with the aid of flight trackers all movements can be seen.
| Sheraton Four Points | ||
| Location: | *** | Between the parallel runways about a mile from the terminal with a shuttle bus to the airport area. |
| Spotting: | *** | Ask for a room facing north to get views of 2 runway thresholds 24L and 24R on the north side a. Ask for a room facing south and you will get views over the 2 southerly runways. Beware the rooms open out onto an open corridor so you are spotting in public with it’s associated problems! |
| Photos: | ** | No reports but the outside area of the hotel should offer good possibilities. |
| Value: | *** | From £48 a room per night on a weekend |
| Book: | The hotel can be booked through AGODA or Booking.com to be taken directly to the hotel information page which generally offers the best rates for hotel bookings.
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| Comment! | If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page! | |
| Hilton LAX | ||
| Location: | *** | About 1.5 miles to the terminal area with a free shuttle bus. |
| Spotting: | ** | Ask for a room on the 8th floor or above facing the airport to get good views of runway 25L and 25R on the south side and the cargo area. |
| Photos: | * | Not reported |
| Value: | ** | From £70 per night weekend rates |
| Book: | The hotel can be booked through AGODA (this site allows you to book a guaranteed runway view room) or Booking.com to be taken directly to the hotel information page which generally offers the best rates for hotel bookings.
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Above: View from the Hilton Hotel corner room 1431 demonstrating the views available. Credit Greg Smith YouTube Channel
| Crowne Plaza | ||
| Location: | *** | About 1.5 miles to the terminal area with a free shuttle bus. |
| Spotting: | *** | Ask for a high level room facing the airport (room 1607 has been mentioned). You will see 2 of the runways and the cargo area (Fedex side). The hotel has a multi storey car park where you can log most of the movements from. |
| Photos: | *** | The car park offers very good opportunities. |
| Value: | ** | From £98 per night weekend rates |
| Book: | The hotel can be booked through the following booking.com link.
Please help support our site. We are constantly checking the links for hotels to find the best price offered for our readers. If the price on this site is the best quote you receive, please help us by booking your hotel from the link provided as we receive a small commission payment from the hotel. This helps contribute to the running costs of this site enabling us to continue to offer a great service. |
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| Holiday Inn Express | ||
| Location: | *** | About 1.5 miles to the terminal area with a free shuttle bus. |
| Spotting: | ** | Expect a room with a view of runway 24L and 24R. Ask for a south facing room, room 627 has confirmed views.From here arrivals on the north runway pass close by, with arrivals on the south runway identified with flight tracking software. |
| Photos: | ** | Resaonable quality photos can be obtained by shooting through the glass of your hotel window |
| Value: | *** | From £44 per night weekend rates |
| Book: | The hotel can be booked on the website of booking.com
Please help support our site. We are constantly checking the links for hotels to find the best price offered for our readers. If the price on this site is the best quote you receive, please help us by booking your hotel from the link provided as we receive a small commission payment from the hotel. This helps contribute to the running costs of this site enabling us to continue to offer a great service. |
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| Comment! | If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page! | |
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| South facing rooms give excellent photo opportunities at The Holiday Inn Express | All aircraft sizes can be caught on camera from the hotel room |
| Super 8 Hotel LAX | ||
| Location: | ** | Although being a motel the standard is good. The rooms were large ,clean and a continental breakfast was included in the price. It is situated on Aviation Boulevard and is directly under the nearest Northern runway to the airport. Fortunately this runway is rarely used for landings (American aircraft don’t have registrations under the wing) The other Northern runway is a bit further out and the aircraft pass the hotel at a height of about 450 feet. Very impressive! |
| Spotting: | ** | Some of the rooms e.g. 416 ,which is the one that I stayed in, have views from the bathroom over looking the approaches into all 4 runways. Similarly departures from all 4 runways can be seen from the balcony outside of the room. Obviously an SBS box or equivalent is required to obtain the registrations of aircraft landing on the Southern runways or departing from any of the runways.The hotel has a small swimming pool and from there again with the help of SBS aircraft landing on all 4 runways can be identified as can those departing on the Southern runways. From the pool area aircraft landing on the Southern runways can only be seen for a few seconds. Look in the left hand corner. |
| Photos: | * | No reports |
| Value: | * | I paid $79 a night for a twin room. Which given the view was well worth it. Credit Rob Aldridge |
| Book: | The hotel can be booked through the following booking.com link which will search hundreds of sites to try to get you the best possible price and also give you a full run down on the hotel facilities | |
| Comment! | If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page! | |
OTHER HOTELS
For a comprehensive list of other hotels in the area click on this link. In the box “hotel name contains” type airport and click enter.
LAX Spotting Website
For excellent coverage of the spotting locations to be found around LAX visit the spotterswiki.com
