Visiting Los Angeles

First off, Liz has an amazing set of links to Los Angeles hotels/libraries/attractions/restaurants/spas/theaters.... It was written a couple years ago, but it's still useful.

The hotels we have personal experience with in Los Angeles are (most to least favorite):

• The Queen Mary (in Long Beach), once a cruise ship, now a floating hotel. We stayed here because our son was reading a Dennis the Menace comic book in which Dennis travels to Los Angeles and stays on the QM. If you haven't been on an ocean liner lately, it's kind of fun. Posh.
• The Channel Road Inn (in Santa Monica) was a nice bed and breakfast, a little on the fancy side, near the beach between Santa Monica and Malibu. We happened across it because we have friends that live nearby, and used it as a getaway once; we had dinner at one of the little restaurants across the street (sadly, the one we liked is gone, but there are five or so left). You could walk to the beach, but we didn't, we just wanted to veg :-) Quaint posh.
• Inn at Playa del Rey (between LAX and Venice) The building was cinderblock but servicable; the nice thing about this hotel is that it's right on the wetlands, and they have bicycles you can borrow. We rode down to Pacific Ave and out onto the Ballona Creek Bike Path. I have also ridden south on the beach boardwalk from here many times. (The venice beach boardwalk to the north is also good.) For dinner, we went to bistro du soleil down the street (reviews). We borrowed a dvd from their library for the evening's entertainment (any good getaway needs some veg time). Another nice getaway. Beachy, comfortable. (This is my wife's favorite; here's her review.)
• Millenium Biltmore (downtown LA) Beautiful lobbies and exterior. Worth a quick tour. We had looked forward to staying here for a long time, but the rooms and brunch were only so-so, didn't compare to the Queen Mary's. Still, worth considering if you want to experience downtown Los Angeles. (Here's my wife Elizabeth's detailed review.)
• Wilshire Crest Hotel (near Miracle Mile in Los Angeles) My father-in-law stayed here once. Near our house, basic but nice. (All the reviews seem to be astroturf, hmm.)
• Park Plaza Lodge Hotel (near Miracle Mile in Los Angeles) We didn't stay here ourselves, but relatives have. It is inexpensive, and near our house. Might be appropriate if you just need a place to close your eyes while you sleep. Not a destination on its own.