THE HOTEL: The closest hotel to Los Angeles International Airport – just walking distance but with a complimentary shuttle service too - and also with easy access to downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach and Venice Beach. The hotel offers 580 guest rooms with a choice of Deluxe and Executive Rooms, 20 suites on the Concierge Level, and 180 Business Class Rooms. The hotel meets the Green Seal standard for Hotels and Lodging Properties for waste minimisation, water and energy efficiency and environmentally responsible purchasing.

THE CHECK-IN: Guests are checking in and out at all hours but my late-evening check-in on a Saturday night was speedy and efficient with helpful advice about (the limited) hotel eating options at the late hour.

THE ROOM: Overlooking the LAX Airport runways (but with no external noise) my suite was hugely spacious and sadly little used for a brief overnight stay. The living area has plenty of sofa and easy-chair seating plus a 25 inch TV.  The separate bedroom included Radisson’s Sleep Number bed which offers settings between 0 and 100 to achieve maximum comfort. The bedroom has a second 25 inch TV.  Two bathrooms complete the suite.

THE BUSINESS: Free high-speed Internet access in guest rooms and also two-line phones with data port and speakerphone capability. The hotel also has a Business Centre and offers 42,000 sq feet of flexible meeting space including 27 meeting rooms, a 13,944-square-foot ballroom accommodating up to 1,500 people and the high-tech City View Conference Center.

THE FACILITIES: The Palmira Bar & Grill serves breakfast and in the evening specialises in steaks and seafood but closes surprisingly early at 22.00. The Concorde Lounge in the lobby serves Starbucks coffee, fresh baked goods and cocktails. In-room dining is available for 24 hours. Other facilities include a Fitness Centre, heated Olympic-size swimming pool and on-site car rental.

THE VERDICT: For an overnight before or after a flight the Radisson is the obvious choice being so close to the airport. Its double glazing ensures that no aircraft noise penetrates the rooms.

THE DETAILS: Rates are from $89 for an entry level room.  Suites, which must be reserved directly with the hotel, are from $289. The Radisson Hotel at Los Angeles Airport, 6225 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA Tel: 001 (310) 670-9000 Web: www.radisson.com  Tel: 0800-374411
Alan Orbell

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