This is my second stay at Extended Stay America in Los Angeles in El Segundo, with stay assistance…read morethrough the ACS. My first experience was not very impressive as the room was located right next to the lobby of the hotel, so I heard the sound of doors closing and opening frequently. And for some reason the room had a very dense oily scent - so the smell didn't add to a comfortable stay, although the front desk did what they could to alleviate the scent problem. However, this second stay, was a MUCH BETTER, clean and fresh so I was pleasantly surprised.
I stayed in the studio room with a kitchenette, which is included in all of the rooms, and appreciated the amenities that they had available -- such as large refrigerator, microwave, kitchen supplies like frying pans, pots, dishes, mugs, and cups, utensils, as well as the use of a coffee maker and a toaster even! Truly a great opportunity to save money by cooking my own meals instead of eating out every day.
Unlike other hotels around LAX, and I've been to four others, ESA operates differently -- they do not offer housekeeping unless you've stayed here for more than 14 days, as that is when they offer the housekeeping service fully. However, anytime I would need fresh towels. I could bring it to the lobby and they would exchange it with fresh ones. That would be the same for bedsheets as well. The downside of that is that with someone who have mobility disabilities and limited physical movements may have difficult time getting their housekeeping situation handled in a timely manner. They do offer extra housekeeping for price, and that would need to be discussed at the front desk. I believe it's additional $14 (?) per request.
Every morning there is "breakfast" from 6:30 AM until 9:30 AM and the breakfast includes prepackaged muffins, snack bars, coffee - as well as flavored and plain oatmeal, coffee mixes, and hot chocolate.
There is also a laundry facility on site, located right behind the lobby, and each load is five dollars and dryer is also preset at five dollars for 60 minutes. You can use coins or app from CSC laundry services. There's also a snack machine and a drink vending machine located inside the laundry room as well. There are four Washers and five dryers available, and the app will tell you how many minutes left on your wash and dry. The washer locks upon a payment, so you can leave your watch there for the duration which is about 43 minutes and for dryer there's no lock on it but it seems safe enough to leave it there until it finishes to pick up your laundry.
Parking is paid through the front desk and it's a self-parking daily rate of $17.
This particular ESA location is literally within minutes walking distance from Ralph's supermarket, which makes your grocery shopping very convenient. If you're located in the front of the property next to the lobby - Building A - then you would have to go towards the back and if you're in building B or C then you will see Ralph's Supermarket near where you're staying. There is a gate that separates the ESA and Ralphs; however, you'll see that there is an opening towards Ralph's. Ralph's is open 24 hours.
Be aware that even though smoking is not allowed on the property within near distance to doors as per Los Angeles law, some of the hotel guests are not going to comply and possibly may smoke nearby the room. So if there are any problems, you should just let the office know. This also goes for people who smoke cannabis as well because that scent is recognizable around the property, though not very common. Also keep in mind that though walls and the floors are not very thick so you may hear the upstairs neighbor moving furniture or playing music.
Service at the front desk is friendly, though at times they may be circling the property so they may not be available right away or maybe at the back office in a meeting so you could call them from a phone box outside of the lobby (Dial '0' for the Office) for assistance. They are short staffed with housekeeping at times so if you are patient, they're more than happy to be attentive to help your needs.
Compared to other hotel, you can get some good rates if you look at their website or look for their sales throughout the year for reduced rates. However, you're getting a step up motel service experience with a full kitchenette and amenities that are not available in other hotels. Please be kind to your service workers, be mindful of your neighbors (as some are long-term guests) and you may find the property quiet and restful.