Metro Plaza Hotel

The Metro Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles has an excellent location, nestled between Chinatown and Olvera Street. You can explore both areas on foot, and it's super convenient for getting around with the nearby subway station. The rooms are clean and tidy, the service is thoughtful, and the facilities are complete. It offers great value for money and is definitely my top choice for staying in the city center.

The hotel is a 5-minute walk from Pico House, which is a common pick-up point for tour groups, so its convenient location is a major plus. The room is a bit dated and the cleanliness is just average, but it's redeemed by the reasonable price.

Pros: - I was able to check in at 10 AM, even though it was early. - It's close to Union Station, which makes getting around very convenient. - The shuttle bus stop for Dodger Stadium is also nearby. - You can even walk to Dodger Stadium if you're up for it. - There's a water dispenser on the floor that provides hot water. - The bed making was quite meticulous. Cons: - The shower temperature was difficult to adjust. - It's noticeably old, which isn't surprising. - There are a lot of homeless people in the surrounding area (though that might be common everywhere in LA).

The room was very spacious, though a bit dated. The bathroom door was quite noisy when opening and closing, which was noticeable. The room had air conditioning with both heating and cooling, but the unit itself was very loud when running. The hotel's location is excellent, just a few minutes' walk from Union Station and situated in Chinatown, making transportation very convenient. I occasionally saw homeless individuals, but not many, and I felt quite safe overall. Service-wise, the hotel offered free coffee and a water dispenser, which was a huge plus, especially in Los Angeles where even a bottle of water can cost $2.

Our two nights in Los Angeles, to be honest, were the most expensive and worst hotel stay of our entire trip. On the second night, we were kept up for a good hour or two by the rather… lively sounds from the couple next door. The hotel is quite close to Union Station, which made taking the subway to Hollywood Boulevard pretty convenient. However, the facilities are really old, and the soundproofing is just terrible. On the bright side, there was an old man who would greet us very warmly every day when we returned to the hotel. Now that I think about it, maybe he was expecting a tip? Anyway, I just politely responded and quickly moved on. And the Los Angeles police sirens are a unique soundtrack in themselves, zipping by almost every ten to fifteen minutes.

This hotel is outdated, with dirty lobbies, carpets, and rooms. On top of that, it's very expensive. When I asked why they couldn't put a microwave in each room so guests wouldn't have to go to reception, I was told it's not a five-star hotel. Apparently, their microwaves get stolen. It's a very strange, poorly maintained hotel, though it has an excellent location near the train station.

The room was very spacious, but the facilities were extremely old. The doors, carpets, and bed frame were all in an antiquated red color, and the hallway felt a bit eerie. The bathroom only had soap, no shower gel, and the water pressure was very low. However, the air conditioning worked perfectly. The biggest advantage of this hotel is its proximity to Union Station, just a ten-minute walk away. It's incredibly convenient for anyone needing a quick overnight stay, especially those catching an early long-distance bus the next morning. This hotel clearly knows its niche: an excellent location. That's why, despite the quality, the room rates aren't low. On a side note, I highly recommend Philibbe French Sandwiches, a restaurant near the hotel.