From 636914496c98d901877be42b14f2fd389df69c9b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Maks Snegov Date: Sun, 30 Aug 2026 19:18:25 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] docs(trip): add LA and Vegas stay shortlists --- itinerary.md | 2 + la_stay_options.md | 107 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ vegas_stay_options.md | 84 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 3 files changed, 193 insertions(+) create mode 100644 la_stay_options.md create mode 100644 vegas_stay_options.md diff --git a/itinerary.md b/itinerary.md index 0f2a391..008e614 100644 --- a/itinerary.md +++ b/itinerary.md @@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ | [🏠 Airbnb β€” Daly City](bookings/airbnb-sf-daly-city.md) | Sep 19–22 (3 nights) | $1,049.54 CAD | Payment due Sep 7 | | [πŸ•οΈ Cabin β€” Yosemite (Wawona)](bookings/cabin-yosemite-wawona.md) | Sep 22–24 (2 nights) | US$933.75 | βœ… Paid | | [🌲 Cabin β€” Sequoia (Miramonte)](bookings/cabin-sequoia-miramonte.md) | Sep 24–27 (3 nights) | US$771.16 | Payment due Sep 8 | +| [πŸ™οΈ LA stay β€” candidates](la_stay_options.md) | Sep 27–30 (3 nights) | US$523–1,075 | Shortlist only β€” not final or exhaustive | +| [🎰 Las Vegas stay β€” candidates](vegas_stay_options.md) | Sep 30–Oct 3 (3 nights) | US$500–1,392+ | Shortlist only; resort fees may be extra | | [πŸš— Car Rental](bookings/car-rental.md) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (14 days) | ⚠️ TBC | Confirm with KT | | [✈️ Flights β€” KT & VT](bookings/flights-kt-vt.md) | Sep 19 / Oct 3 | β€” | ⚠️ Confirm with KT | diff --git a/la_stay_options.md b/la_stay_options.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..55de0ff --- /dev/null +++ b/la_stay_options.md @@ -0,0 +1,107 @@ +# Los Angeles β€” Where to Stay (shortlist) + +*Candidate accommodation for the LA leg. Nothing booked yet.* + +**Dates:** Sun Sep 27 β†’ Wed Sep 30 (3 nights) +**Guests:** 4 adults (2 couples) β†’ 2 separate bedrooms +**Car:** rental until Sep 30 (dropoff LAX) β†’ **on-site parking is a hard requirement** + +> **Arrival is late.** Gilmore checkout is 11 AM Sep 27 and the drive from Miramonte is ~4.5–5 hrs, so the group lands in LA Sunday late afternoon. Real sightseeing days are **Mon Sep 28 and Tue Sep 29** β€” pick a base that keeps those two days short on driving. +> +> **Monday caveat:** several LA venues close Mondays β€” the Getty Center, The Broad and the Griffith Observatory building are the ones to verify before planning Sep 28. + +--- + +## Choosing the base β€” trade-off + +| Base | Griffith / Hollywood | Getty / Beverly Hills | Santa Monica / Venice | LAX (Sep 30) | Price level | +|---|---|---|---|---|---| +| **Hollywood / West Hollywood** | 10–20 min | 15–25 min | 30–45 min | 35–50 min | $$ | +| **West LA (Sawtelle)** | 25–35 min | 10–15 min | 15–20 min | 25–30 min | $$ | +| **Venice / Santa Monica** | 40–55 min | 20–30 min | walk | 20–25 min | $$$ | +| **Hawthorne / near LAX** | 45–60 min | 30–40 min | 25–35 min | 10–15 min | $ | + +*Driving times are rough and assume LA traffic β€” add 50% for 8–10 AM and 4–7 PM.* + +--- + +## Shortlist + +### 1. Hollywood apartment, West Hollywood β€” **recommended** + +| | | +|---|---| +| **Price** | **US$683** / 3 nights (fees incl.; was $801 β€” $117 off) | +| **Layout** | 2 bedrooms (queen + queen) Β· 2 bathrooms Β· full kitchen Β· balcony Β· A/C | +| **Rating** | 4.79 (75 reviews) Β· Superhost James, 11 years hosting | +| **Parking** | Secured garage, **+$20/night** (~$60 total) | +| **Cancellation** | Free until **Sep 13** | +| **Check-in** | Self check-in (lockbox) β€” good for a late Sunday arrival | +| **Link** | https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1353770635164312607 | + +Best fit for the sights list: Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory, Beverly Hills, the Getty and DTLA are all short drives; a beach afternoon is one dedicated trip. Bed layout matches two couples exactly. Cheapest way to stay central, and the only shortlisted option with cancellation that runs past the Sequoia payment date. + +### 2. Architectural house, Sawtelle (West LA) β€” best space + +| | | +|---|---| +| **Price** | **US$990** / 3 nights non-refundable Β· **US$1,075** refundable | +| **Layout** | Whole house Β· 3 bedrooms (king + queen + bunk) Β· 3.5 bathrooms Β· roof deck | +| **Rating** | 4.92 (258 reviews) Β· Superhost Eve Β· "rare find" | +| **Parking** | ⚠️ **Street only** β€” garage not included | +| **Link** | https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/657217888151762689 | + +A bathroom each and a spare bedroom, in a genuinely convenient spot: 10–15 min to the Getty, 15–20 to Santa Monica, 25–30 to LAX. The catch is street parking in a dense residential area. + +### 3. Venice Canals duplex β€” beach option + +| | | +|---|---| +| **Price** | **US$1,051** / 3 nights | +| **Layout** | 2 bedrooms (queen + 2 doubles) Β· 2 bathrooms Β· balcony over the canal Β· laundry | +| **Rating** | 4.88 (**592 reviews**) Β· Superhost Mike, 10 years hosting Β· Guest Favourite | +| **Parking** | **Free, 2 cars**, private, on site + EV charger | +| **Cancellation** | Free | +| **Link** | https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/17143834 | + +Walk to the boardwalk, Abbot Kinney and the canals; 20 min to LAX on the last morning. The most proven listing on this list by review count. The most expensive, and the furthest from Griffith/Hollywood β€” a poor match if Sep 28–29 are Hollywood-side days. + +### 4. Executive house, Hawthorne β€” budget option + +| | | +|---|---| +| **Price** | **US$523** / 3 nights | +| **Layout** | Whole house Β· 2 bedrooms (queen + queen) Β· 2 bathrooms Β· enclosed patio Β· washer/dryer | +| **Rating** | 4.94 (342 reviews) Β· Superhost Fellipe, 9 years hosting | +| **Parking** | **Free, on site** | +| **Cancellation** | ⚠️ **Free 24 h only β€” non-refundable after that** | +| **Link** | https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19894464 | + +Cheapest solid option, 10 min from LAX and Manhattan Beach. Downside: Hawthorne is a dull base and every Hollywood-side day costs ~45–60 min each way β€” expensive when you only have two full days. The cancellation policy is the real catch. + +--- + +## Also seen (not shortlisted) + +| Listing | Area | 3 nights | Rating | Note | +|---|---|---|---|---| +| [LA Duo](https://ru.airbnb.com/rooms/724702784084375528?check_in=2026-09-26&check_out=2026-09-30&adults=4&source_impression_id=p3_1788105821_P3CNaGeruBMwClHx) | Culver City | TBC | 4.71 (17) | 2BR Β· 2 beds Β· 2.5 baths Β· free on-site parking; shared link is Sep 26–30, so re-check for Sep 27–30 | +| [Hollywood Blvd 2BR](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1422055427310245886) | Hollywood | $758 | 4.73 (49) | Free parking + breakfast | +| [Designer Spanish house](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/45527850) | LA | $760 | 4.90 (203) | Only 1 bathroom | +| [Glendale house](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/53692156) | Glendale | $724 | 4.87 (228) | ⚠️ listed as 2BR but the sleeping plan shows one room β€” verify before booking | +| [Glendale apartment](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/961909682458125803) | Glendale | $771 | 4.88 (121) | Pool + gym; 10 min to Griffith | +| [DTLA view apartment](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1293165603159436911) | LA | $786 | 4.91 (95) | β€” | +| [2BR Hollywood Blvd](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1762132644333459801) | Hollywood | $819 | no reviews | Free parking + breakfast | +| [Santa Monica retreat](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1762074774541772863) | Santa Monica | $967 | no reviews | Host active 3 months | +| [Beverly Hills 2BR](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1762557500049507724) | Beverly Hills | $976 | no reviews | Garage parking | +| ~~Alhambra mid-century house~~ | Alhambra | β€” | 4.97 (153) | ❌ **not available Sep 27–30** | + +**Booking.com alternative** β€” Koreatown / DTLA 2BR apartments come out cheaper but with thinner review history and mostly paid parking. Search: [Booking, entire 2BR, rating 8+](https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?ss=Los+Angeles&checkin=2026-09-27&checkout=2026-09-30&group_adults=4&no_rooms=1&nflt=privacy_type%3D3%3Bentire_place_bedroom_count%3D2%3Breview_score%3D80&order=price) + +**Hotels** β€” Santa Monica hotels for 4 people put all four in **one room** and still run higher than options 1–2; only worth it if the group drops the 2-bedroom requirement. + +**Own search:** [Airbnb, LA, 2+ bedrooms, Sep 27–30](https://www.airbnb.com/s/Los-Angeles--CA/homes?checkin=2026-09-27&checkout=2026-09-30&adults=4&min_bedrooms=2&room_types%5B%5D=Entire%20home%2Fapt) + +--- + +*Prices checked Aug 31, 2026 for Sep 27–30 β€” LA rates move, re-check before booking.* diff --git a/vegas_stay_options.md b/vegas_stay_options.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bba9a1e --- /dev/null +++ b/vegas_stay_options.md @@ -0,0 +1,84 @@ +# Las Vegas β€” Where to Stay (shortlist) + +*Candidate accommodation for the Vegas leg. Nothing booked yet.* + +**Dates:** Wed Sep 30 β†’ Sat Oct 3 (3 nights) +**Guests:** 4 adults (2 couples) β†’ 2 hotel rooms, or one 2-bedroom suite +**No car** β€” this shortlist assumes the rental is dropped at LAX on Sep 30, followed by a flight to Las Vegas, so the group gets around on foot + rideshare. **Position on the Strip matters more here than anywhere else on this trip.** + +> ⚠️ **Route conflict to resolve:** the current [`itinerary.md`](itinerary.md) and [`bookings/car-rental.md`](bookings/car-rental.md) instead show keeping the rental through Oct 3, driving LA β†’ Las Vegas, then returning to LAX. Do not treat either transport plan as final until the group confirms it. + +> ⚠️ **Resort fees.** Nearly every Strip casino resort adds a mandatory daily resort fee (typically ~$45–55 per room per night) charged **at the property**, on top of the rates below. For 2 rooms Γ— 3 nights that is roughly **$270–330 extra** β€” enough to reverse the ranking. Confirm the exact fee on each property page before comparing. Listings marked **NO RESORT FEE** below are the ones that avoid it. +> +> ⚠️ **Oct 3 departure airport is still TBC** (LAS or LAX β€” see [`itinerary.md`](itinerary.md)). If KT & VT fly out of LAX, an extra LASβ†’LAX hop is needed that morning; that argues for a hotel with an easy airport run. + +--- + +## Location on the Strip + +| Zone | Walk to | Hotels below | +|---|---|---| +| **Center Strip** | Bellagio fountains, High Roller, Caesars, Venetian | Horseshoe, Flamingo, Casino Royale, Jockey Club | +| **South Strip** | Sphere-side attractions via tram, MGM area | Excalibur, Luxor, Signature at MGM, Desert Rose, Grand Desert | +| **North Strip** | Fewer sights; longer walks or rideshare | Circus Circus, The STRAT, SAHARA | + +--- + +## Option A β€” two hotel rooms (classic Vegas) + +*Price shown per room / 3 nights, then the group total for 2 rooms. Resort fee extra.* + +| Hotel | Zone | Per room | **Γ— 2 rooms** | Rating | +|---|---|---|---|---| +| [Circus Circus](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/circus-circus.html) | North | $250 | **$500** | 6.8 (16,474) | +| [The STRAT](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/stratosphere-casino.html) | North (far) | $257 | **$514** | 7.2 (8,794) | +| **[Excalibur](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/excalibur.html)** | South | $310 | **$620** | 7.6 (30,951) | +| [Luxor](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/luxor.html) | South | $444 | **$888** | 7.4 (22,988) | +| **[Horseshoe Las Vegas](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/bally-s-las-vegas-casino.html)** | **Center** | $469 | **$938** | 7.9 (8,180) | +| [SAHARA Las Vegas](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/sahara-lasvegas-hotel-casino.html) | North | $553 | **$1,106** | **8.4** (11,717) | +| [Flamingo](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/flamingo-casino.html) | Center | $607 | **$1,214** | 7.8 (24,171) | +| [Best Western Plus Casino Royale](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/best-western-plus-casino-royalecenter-strip.html) | Center | $696 | **$1,392** | 8.0 (3,579) | + +**Pick of the group β€” [Horseshoe Las Vegas](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/bally-s-las-vegas-casino.html), $938 for two rooms.** Dead centre of the Strip: the Bellagio fountains are across the road, the High Roller and LINQ are next door, and almost everything in [`vegas_sights.md`](vegas_sights.md) is walkable from the door. Ratings are middling-but-honest (7.9 across 8,180 reviews) and it is far cheaper than the resorts either side of it. + +**Cheapest sensible β€” [Excalibur](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/excalibur.html), $620.** South Strip, connected by free tram toward the MGM cluster; 30,951 reviews at 7.6 make it a known quantity. Costs an extra ~15-min walk (or tram) to reach the centre. + +**Skip Circus Circus and The STRAT** despite the price β€” both sit at the far north end, where every evening ends in a rideshare. + +--- + +## Option B β€” one suite / apartment for all four + +*Whole unit, 2 bedrooms, kitchen. Often no resort fee, which closes most of the price gap.* + +| Property | Layout | 3 nights | Rating | Note | +|---|---|---|---|---| +| **[Grand Desert Resort 2BR Villa](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/grand-desert-resort-2br-villa.html)** | 2 bed Β· 2 bath Β· 4 beds Β· 95 mΒ² | **$596** | 9.6 (29) | Best value on this page β€” but only 29 reviews | +| [Wyndham Desert Rose 2BR Apartment](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/wyndham-desert-rose-resort-2br-apartment-with-resort-access.html) | 2 bed Β· 2 bath Β· 79 mΒ² | **$630** | 9.0 (59) | β€” | +| **[Desert Rose Resort](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/desert-rose-resort.html)** | 1 bed + living room | **$599** | **9.0 (4,724)** | **NO RESORT FEE** Β· by far the most reviewed | +| [GetAways at the Jockey Club](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/getaways-at-the-jockey-club.html) | 1 bed + living room | $707 | 9.1 (2,859) | **NO RESORT FEE** Β· centre Strip, next to Cosmopolitan | +| [The Signature at MGM Grand β€” All Suites](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/the-signature-at-mgm.html) | Suite + balcony | $889 | 8.5 (1,567) | Non-smoking, no casino in the tower | + +**If the group would rather share one place** β€” the way they have all trip β€” [Wyndham Desert Rose 2BR](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/wyndham-desert-rose-resort-2br-apartment-with-resort-access.html) at **$630** gives two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a kitchen for less than two hotel rooms cost once resort fees land. Desert Rose sits on Harmon Ave, a short walk east of the Strip. The Grand Desert villa is $34 cheaper and better rated, but 29 reviews is thin. + +The two 1-bedroom options (Desert Rose, Jockey Club) only work if one couple takes the living room β€” fine for three nights, worth agreeing in advance. + +--- + +## Not on Booking for these dates + +Bellagio, Caesars Palace, The Venetian, MGM Grand, New York-New York, Paris, Planet Hollywood, Park MGM and The LINQ did not return availability on Booking.com for Sep 30 – Oct 3. Other MGM/Caesars properties did (Excalibur, Luxor, Flamingo, Horseshoe), so this is an inventory quirk rather than a sold-out Strip β€” **price those directly on mgmresorts.com and caesars.com** before deciding. + +**Own search:** [Booking, Las Vegas Strip, 2 rooms, Sep 30 – Oct 3](https://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?ss=Las+Vegas+Strip%2C+Las+Vegas&checkin=2026-09-30&checkout=2026-10-03&group_adults=4&no_rooms=2&group_children=0&order=price) + +--- + +## Still to sort for this leg + +- **Day trips need wheels or a tour** β€” Hoover Dam, Red Rock, Valley of Fire and the Grand Canyon all require a booked tour or a separate Vegas rental (see [`vegas_sights.md`](vegas_sights.md)). +- **Shows** β€” Cirque residencies sell out; book before arrival. +- **LAXβ†’LAS flight on Sep 30** is still TBD in the itinerary. + +--- + +*Prices checked Aug 31, 2026 for Sep 30 – Oct 3, excluding resort fees β€” re-check before booking.*