The Hacienda Hotel Found a Need and Is Filling It.


I can’t remember the first time I stayed at the Hacienda Hotel in Los Angeles.  As near as I can figure, that was at least 20 years ago, and probably even longer ago than that. 

The Hacienda is what’s commonly referred to as “an airport hotel” and is just a few minutes from Los Angeles International Airport in El Segundo.
Whenever it was, I’ve been back to the Hacienda at least 30 or 40 times since – usually several times every year. My most recent visit was a month ago; the next one will be in a week.
My flight is a red-eye, landing at LAX around 5:30 in the morning. From Los Angeles I’m heading for Chicago aboard Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, but it doesn’t leave Los Angeles’ magnificent Union Station until 6:15 in the evening. So where does a weary traveler hang his hat for twelve hours during the day?
Try one of the front line hotels and they’ll make you reserve the room from the night before, then kick you out at noon. The rate will probably be $180 and up and you’ll end up sitting around the railroad station for five hours.
And that’s where the Hacienda comes in … because they offer a day rate! I can check in at 6:00 in the morning and stay in a basic, but perfectly adequate room until late in the afternoon when I’ll check out and head for the Amtrak station in downtown LA.
I’m usually beat when I arrive after a five-hour red-eye flight, but I actually enjoy my visits at the Hacienda. It’s not fancy, but the coffee shop turns out a terrific Eggs Benedict. There’s free wi-fi in the room. The water in the shower is hot and bed is comfortable.  And, best of all, the day rate — believe it or not — is $55!
What’s not to like about that?