Note: I was hosted by the Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX. All opinions are my own.
Let’s talk about LAX. Love it or hate it, if you’re a frequent flyer, you’re going to end up there. And as someone who passes through Los Angeles regularly, having a solid airport hotel on deck is truly non-negotiable for me.
I was recently hosted by the incredible team at the Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX to check out their brand-new renovation — and y’all, I was thrilled by what I found. This wasn’t the typical, tired airport hotel I was expecting. After a $42 million renovation, the Sonesta LAX has completely transformed into a modern, stylish retreat that I genuinely loved. Here’s the full breakdown.
Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX Hotel Review
The Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX is located at 5985 W. Century Blvd — less than a mile from LAX’s terminals in the Westchester neighborhood of LA. The $42 million renovation introduced redesigned guest rooms, a modernized lobby, 14,000 square feet of reimagined event space, and four brand-new dining venues. It’s a lot. And it delivers.
Whether you’re catching a red-eye, heading to a game at SoFi Stadium, or just need somewhere comfortable to decompress between connections, this hotel has you fully covered.
Standout Features
Location
You honestly cannot beat this location for an LAX hotel. Less than a mile from the terminals means you’re not spending 20 minutes in a shuttle van dreading your early morning flight. The hotel is also just 2.7 miles from SoFi Stadium — making it a fantastic option if you’re in town for a Rams or Chargers game, a concert, or an event at the Kia Forum or Intuit Dome. I hadn’t thought of this as an “event hotel” before, but it absolutely works in that capacity too.
The Complimentary Airport Shuttle
Frequent flyers, listen up: the hotel runs a complimentary 24/7 airport shuttle every 20–30 minutes. No scheduling, no coordinating, no surge pricing at 5am. This alone is a massive perk and one of the things that would absolutely bring me back.
Booking Details
Before we get into the good stuff — I’d recommend booking directly through Sonesta’s website to get the best rates and join the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program to earn points and member perks on your stays.
The Rooms
The redesigned guest rooms are genuinely impressive. Think modern interiors, custom hardwood finishes, fine furnishings, and — my personal favorite detail — if you snag a room on the right side of the hotel, you can watch planes take off and land right from your window. It sounds niche, but it’s actually incredibly cool and so fitting for an airport hotel.
The beds were incredibly comfortable (yes, those are Sonesta robes, and yes, they’re as cozy as they look), and even though you’re steps from one of the busiest airports in the world, the rooms are surprisingly soundproof. I woke up well-rested and ready for my cross-country flight the next morning — which, if you know me, is saying a lot.
The Executive Floor, located at the top of the hotel, offers upgraded amenities for those wanting an even more elevated experience.
Dining
Okay — this is where things got really exciting for me. Four restaurants at an airport hotel? Let’s go.
Century Taproom & Lounge
We had dinner here, and it was fantastic. Huge portions, delicious entrees, and a surprisingly good wine list. This is not your average airport hotel bar food — the Century Taproom is the kind of spot where you’d genuinely want to linger.
Boulevard Market Café
The coffee here is immaculate — and I mean that. If you’re a coffee person who dreads bad hotel coffee, Boulevard Market Café is going to make your morning. No need to leave the hotel for a great latte or espresso.
Yokoso Sushi Bar
A sushi bar at an airport hotel! Yokoso brings a fun, distinct culinary experience to the property that you genuinely wouldn’t expect to find here.
The Landing Restaurant
The Landing rounds out the lineup with classic, satisfying American fare — great for when you’re exhausted from travel and just want something comforting and solid.
Having four dining options at an airport hotel is a game-changer for frequent flyers. The Sonesta LAX has the food situation fully handled.
Fitness Center
If you packed your gym clothes (unlike me — a full regret), the fitness center here is state of the art. It’s the kind of gym that would make your workout feel genuinely productive rather than like a sad hotel gym obligation. I’ll be packing my workout gear next time.
Event Space & The WorkSuite
For the business travelers and event planners reading this: the Sonesta LAX boasts over 14,000 square feet of newly reimagined event space, including 15 meeting rooms, a 6,000 sq. ft. pillar-free Continental Ballroom, and the innovative Sonesta WorkSuite — a dedicated space built for collaboration and productivity. This is a seriously impressive setup.
Other Amenities
- Heated outdoor pool
- 24-hour business center
- Valet and self-parking on-site
- Concierge service
- Pet-friendly (they even have a PAWS program!)
- Room service available
My Sonesta LAX Experience
Here’s the honest truth: I went into this stay with modest expectations, and I left genuinely impressed. The renovation is stunning — it doesn’t feel like an airport hotel anymore, and that’s the highest compliment I can give it. The food options alone set this property apart from nearly every other airport hotel I’ve stayed at, and the combination of beautiful rooms, a complimentary shuttle, and a state-of-the-art gym makes this an easy yes for frequent flyers.
If you’re passing through LA and need a layover hotel — or heading to SoFi Stadium for a game or a show — the Sonesta LAX absolutely deserves a spot on your radar.
Have you ever stayed at an airport hotel that exceeded your expectations? Let me know in the comments!
This stay was hosted by Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX. All opinions are my own.
Photos by Tom McGovern
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