Last year, I wrote about how I don’t like Los Angeles International Airport, or LAX. It’s probably the most chaotic place to catch a flight in the country, mostly because its traffic around the terminals hardly ever subsides.  But it’s also difficult to navigate, because even if you take the inter-terminal shuttles, you’ll still get mired in that sea of vehicles.

Yet, if I am traveling to the L.A. area as part of a connection to somewhere else, I like to stay at a hotel close to the airport. We’ve done that for trips to Japan and Hawaii, and that has allowed us to rest a bit before taking a trans-ocean flight. Another reason why I’ve chosen LAX accommodations is that they’re often less expensive than staying in downtown or in Santa Monica, which used to be my go-to place whenever I was in town.

I’ll be upfront – none of these hotels are that unique or significant in the features. They are all from the three major chains – Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt. But they all offer my must-have amenities like airport shuttles, clean and comfortable rooms and decent fitness centers. Plus, the first two serve an included breakfast, which always makes travel life a little better. Unfortunately, most of these establishments have one thing no one can avoid – jet takeoff noise.

The exterior of Embassy Suites, LAX

Embassy Suites

No matter where I go, I always appreciate this hotel where most of the rooms are two-room suites, which is always a plus when I travel with the kids. In addition to breakfast, they also have an evening reception with beer and wine and appetizers. Choose this hotel if you want to stay closer to LAX, not the one that’s further south.

Guests can see the LAX entrance from the Homewood Suites pool

Homewood Suites

Like Embassy, this Hilton property includes a hot, made-to-order breakfast, but they don’t have the reception. I think the rooms here are slightly more spacious and better decorated, but it’s equally comfortable. Another difference is Homewood has an outdoor pool, whereas Embassy’s is indoors.

One unique feature of the Renaissance Hotel LAX is its collection of classic rock albums

Renaissance Hotel

This Marriott hotel has one defining feature apart from others at LAX – a fun rock music décor with a display of classic album covers. There’s also an outdoor pool and in-room Peloton bikes for a fee. I haven’t eaten or drank at their in-house eatery, so I can’t attest to how good the food or drink is.

One of the standard rooms at the Hyatt Regency, LAX

Hyatt Regency

You can’t get any closer to LAX than this hotel, which is right at its entrance and could easily be within walking distance (if there were an accessible walkway). This is probably the most luxe place I’ve stayed at, with its bright interiors and a surprisingly large outdoor space with a green lawn. I enjoyed having a poke bowl at their in-house restaurant, Beckett’s.

The light and bright lobby at Westin Hotel, LAX

Westin Hotel

Of all the hotels I’ve stayed at near LAX, this is probably the most ordinary, with a minimalist interior for the rooms and common areas. But it does have a decent breakfast buffet and bar, as well as a larger fitness center, Topgolf suite, virtual reality gaming screen and outdoor pool.