Custom Hotel

One of the most unique boutique hotels near LAX, Custom Hotel Los Angeles was built by mid-century Modern architect Welton Beckett, designer of Hollywood's iconic Capitol Records building.

Perched on a hill overlooking the city lights of Los Angeles and the glistening Pacific ocean, the Custom Hotel LA opened in October 2007 with 250 modern guest rooms and suites.

This pet friendly Los Angeles hotel caters to travelers, with regular LAX shuttle service and a multilingual staff.

Each room in the 12-floor tower has panoramic views of the city, but I'm partial to views of the LAX runway, where you can watch endless streams of planes taking off and landing. It's hypnotizing. For the best views, be sure to ask for a Custom Level Corner King Room on the 9th floor or above. And yes, the windows are soundproof, but operable.

Sleek and modern, each smoke-free guest room boasts cool Custom Hotel furniture and beds dressed with Percale Italian linens and whimsical dog-themed duvets. Other amenities include complimentary high-speed Internet access, stereo with iPod docking station and a flat screen LCD TV with "On Demand" movies and music. If you prefer, a DVD player is available by request, complete with a video checkout library.

Downstairs in the lobby, the Custom Hotel bar offers cocktails, beer and wine.

The rooftop pool deck, Hopscotch Pool Bar & Club, is a fun place to spend the evening, where you can cozy up by the fire pit with a martini, or spend a sunny day in the heated Custom Hotel pool with your own private cabana. Adding to the fun is a foosball table, retro video games and stadium seating overlooking the pool. The Custom Hotel Hopscotch bar serves light fare. Dining and drinks are offered after 5 p.m. weekdays and after noon on Saturdays and Sundays.

On the weekends, the Custom Hotel party scene heats up as Hopscotch hosts some of LA's hottest DJs spinning electro jazz, future bossa and Afro Cuban beats. For details on the Custom Hotel pool party scene (offered during the summer), click here.

The Bistrotek Custom Hotel restaurant serves up contemporary American cuisine — including a gourmet Bistro Burger (topped with crispy pancetta bacon and smoked Gouda cheese). The restaurant is open for breakfast between 6 and 11 a.m. and for dinner between 5 and 10 p.m.

For the business traveler, each room includes a work desk area and the in-room safes accommodate laptops. Each dual-line telephone includes personal voice mail. 

The Business Center offers copying, faxing, secretarial services, office equipment rentals, packaging, mailing and courier services. There are also five conference suites for meetings of up to 50 people, and smaller creative spaces, such as the "Cow" room and "Scribble Lounge," where guests can sketch out ideas in the drawing room. Catering for breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner is available poolside.

Located on the corners of Lincoln Boulevard at Manchester Avenue, Custom Hotel in Westchester is a short 5-minute drive from Marina Del Rey and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Nearby attractions include the beaches of Venice, Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach, which are about 15 minutes away. A golf course and tennis courts are located across the street.

Additional hotel services include fitness rooms, valet parking, laundry, dry cleaning and pressing services.

Custom Hotel is located at 8639 Lincoln Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Call (310) 645-0400 or (877) 287-8601 or visit the hotel Web site at www.CustomHotel.com

Photos: Courtesy of Custom Hotel

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