Review: Hacienda Hotel, El Segundo, Los Angeles, California

When I go to the United States from Bangkok, I always fly into Los Angeles and have a layover for a couple of days to visit friends. I've normally stayed at the same hotel every time I've passed through, but on my last trip to Los Angeles I decided to stay at the Hacienda Hotel near LAX instead. The hotel, which is actually in El Segundo, was at least $20 a night cheaper than any other hotel in the area and had good reviews on several websites, so I decided to try it out.

When I arrived in LA, after a grueling 18 hour flight from Asia, I called the Hacienda Hotel and was told that their airport shuttle was on the way. Sure enough, it arrived about five minutes after I made the phone call and, as the hotel is so near the airport (only 1 mile), I was at the Hacienda Hotel only twenty minutes after coming through airport arrivals.

Check in at the hotel was very smooth and very quick. The reception staff was excellent and was very quick to accommodate my request for a non-smoking room in a quiet area. My room was a quick walk from reception and was in the South Tower, which had recently been renovated. When I opened the door, I knew it was going to be perfect. The room had a queen size bed, a large TV with satellite TV, a large bathroom with all the freebies, free high-speed internet, an iron, an ironing board and a coffee maker. It was also exceptionally clean with all new carpeting, bed sheets, bed covers and shower curtain.