Where to Stay in LA

Q: Which area of Los Angeles should we stay in for a 10-day holiday that will include visits to all the main tourist attractions. Secondly, is it easy to get around the city without a car? Alternatively, is hiring a car an easy and safe option? - Ryan Lowrie

A: While you will probably find the best hotel offers in the downtown area, this is not the best area to stay in and can be risky after dark. The same goes for the eastern part of Hollywood, which has become seedy and rundown. Areas you could choose include West Hollywood, which has a number of affordable hotels; and Beverly Hills, which has some of the city's priciest places to stay; and Century City, which is great for shopping and entertainment. However, my choice would be to head for Santa Monica, Marina del Ray or the beachfront of Venice Beach. You can find some good accommodation offers there and enjoy the city's bustling beach scene. Wherever you stay, a hired car is probably the best way to get around. It does get busy and there always seem to be millions of cars on the roads, but getting about is not that difficult. This is a city built for cars. If you really don't want to drive, you will have to use taxis or the tourist shuttle services.