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Budget

Days Inn ( 800-329-7466; www.daysinn.com)

Econo Lodge ( 877-424-6423; www.econolodge.com)

Super 8 ( 800-800-8000; www.super8.com)

Midrange

Best Western ( 800-780-7234; www.bestwestern.com)

Clarion Hotel ( 877-424-6423; www.clarionhotel.com)

Comfort Inn ( 877-424-6423; www.comfortinn.com)

Fairfield Inn ( 800-228-2800; www.fairfieldinn.com)

Hampton Inn ( 800-426-7866; www.hamptoninn.com)

Holiday Inn ( 800-465-4329; www.holiday-inn.com)

Howard Johnson ( 800-446-4656; www.hojo.com)

Quality Inn & Suites ( 877-424-6423; www.qualityinn.com)

Travelodge ( 800-578-7878; www.travelodge.com)

Top End

Hilton ( 800-445-8667; www.hilton.com)

Hyatt ( 888-591-1234; www.hyatt.com)

Marriott ( 888-236-2427; www.marriott.com)

Radisson ( 888-201-1718; www.radisson.com)

Ramada ( 800-272-6232; www.ramada.com)

Sheraton ( 888-625-5144; www.sheraton.com)

Westin ( 800-228-3000; www.westin.com)

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Besides dorms (usually mixed) of varying sizes, many hostels have pricier private rooms, although bathrooms are usually shared. Some hostels say they accept only international visitors (basically to keep out destitute locals), but Americans who look like they are travelers are usually admitted, especially during the slower months.

Rates range from $14 to $28, including tax. Most hostels take bookings online and by phone, fax, mail or email. Many independent hostels belong to reservation services such as www.hostels.com, www.hostelworld.com and www.backpackers.com, which sometimes offer lower rates than the hostels directly, so check these out too.

Hotels & Motels

Hotels differ from motels in that they don’t surround a parking lot and usually have some sort of a lobby. Hotels may provide extra services such as laundry, but such conveniences usually come at a price. If you walk in without reservations, always ask to see a room before paying for it, especially at motels.

Rooms are often priced by the size and number of beds in a room, rather than the number of occupants. A room with one double or queen-size bed usually costs the same for one or two people, while a room with a king-size bed or two double beds costs more. Rooms with two doubles can accommodate up to four people, making them a cost-saving choice for families and small groups. A small surcharge often applies to the third and fourth person, but children under a certain age (this varies) often stay free. Cribs or rollaway beds usually incur an extra charge.

The room location may also affect the price; recently renovated or larger rooms, or those with a view, are likely to cost more. Hotels facing a noisy street may charge more for quieter rooms.

Many hotels offer suites for people in need of more elbow room. While this should technically get you at least two rooms, one of them a bedroom, this is not always the case as some properties simply call their larger rooms ‘suites’ or ‘junior suites.’ Always ask about a suite’s size and layout before booking it.

Rates increasingly include breakfast, which may be just a stale donut and wimpy coffee, an all-out gourmet affair with fresh croissants and homemade jam, or anything in between.

Make reservations at chain hotels by calling their central reservation lines, but to learn about specific amenities and possible local promotions, call the property directly. Every listing in this book includes local direct numbers.

Resorts

One type of accommodation Southern California has plenty of is full-service luxury resorts, usually with integrated spas offering the latest in pampering techniques. For busy urbanites they serve as quick getaways, places that offer a respite from the rat race and restore balance to the body and soul. Luxury resorts are normally so attractive that they’re often destinations in themselves.

Expect very comfortable, attractively designed rooms with quality furnishings and beds dressed up with pillow-top mattresses, high-thread-count linens and both down and foam pillows. Higher-end properties offer such additional