The popular Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX hotel recently completed a US$42 million transformation, making it a leading property at the busy gateway for a layover for business and leisure travellers at the bustling hub, headlined by remodelled rooms and some of the best food and beverage offerings in the area. To find out what makes the property so unique, Wayfarer’s James Wilkinson caught up with Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX General Manager, Robert Routh.

Robert, Sonesta LAX is popular on so many levels, from the location to the design, rooms and food and beverage on offer. Tell us about your favourite things on the property.

What I enjoy most about Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX is that we offer much more than travellers expect from an airport hotel.

Guests are often surprised by the scale of the property, the contemporary design, and the variety of experiences available under one roof.

Whether someone is here for a quick overnight stay, a family vacation, an international layover, or a major event, we have the amenities and service levels to meet their needs.

Personally, I love the energy of the lobby and public spaces, where you’ll find travellers from all over the world gathering before heading to their next destination. The combination of convenience, comfort, and hospitality is what makes our hotel special.

Tell us about the stylish rooms and suites on offer.

Our guest rooms and suites were designed with today’s traveller in mind. We offer spacious accommodations featuring modern furnishings, comfortable bedding, generous workspaces, and thoughtful amenities that help guests relax and recharge.

Many rooms offer excellent views of the airport, city skyline, or surrounding area, creating a uniquely Los Angeles experience.

Our suites provide additional living space and are ideal for extended stays, families, or guests looking for a more elevated experience. Whether you’re staying one night or one week, our goal is to provide a comfortable retreat from the energy of travel.

Tell us about the fantastic food and beverage on offer, which is some of the best in the area.

We are fortunate to offer a diverse collection of dining experiences that appeal to a wide range of tastes.

From Yokoso Sushi Bar and Century Taproom to The Landing Restaurant and our coffee offerings, guests have multiple options without ever leaving the property.

One of my personal favorites is the signature sushi selections at Yokoso. The freshness, presentation, and quality consistently impress both hotel guests and local diners.

If I had to pick one item, it would be a chef’s specialty sushi roll paired with a cold Japanese beer. It’s a great example of the elevated dining experience guests don’t always expect to find at an airport hotel.

What’s your X-factor at Sonesta LAX?

Our X-factor is our people. We have an incredibly dedicated team that understands hospitality is about creating memorable experiences, not just providing accommodations.

Many of our associates have been with the hotel for years and take tremendous pride in taking care of guests.

Combined with our prime location just minutes from LAX, extensive amenities, multiple dining outlets, and one of the largest airport hotel footprints in Los Angeles, our team is what truly sets us apart. They consistently deliver genuine service that keeps guests returning time and time again.

Robert, what are some of your favourite things to do in the local area?

One of the great advantages of staying at Sonesta LAX is our proximity to so many iconic Southern California attractions.

I always recommend visiting the beaches of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach, which are just a short drive away and offer beautiful ocean views, excellent restaurants, and the quintessential California lifestyle.

For visitors wanting to experience Los Angeles, destinations such as Santa Monica, Venice Beach, SoFi Stadium, and the Getty Center are all within easy reach.

For aviation enthusiasts, simply watching the activity at LAX can be fascinating. Los Angeles offers something for everyone, and our location makes it easy to explore the very best of the region.

ESSENTIALS: GETTING TO LOS ANGELES

The best way of getting to Los Angeles in comfort and style.

Book a seat in Fiji Airways’ brilliant Business Class cabin

FLY FIJI AIRWAYS TO LOS ANGELES

Fiji Airways flies Los Angeles via the airline’s hub in Nadi from Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Christchurch, Melbourne, San Francisco, Singapore, Sydney, Wellington and across the South Pacific.

The flights are operated by Fiji Airways’ world class fleet, which includes the flagship Airbus A350-900, headlined by the carrier’s all-new Business Class that features flatbed seats with all-aisle access.

Onboard Fiji Airways flights at the pointy end, expect top food and wine, particularly thanks to the new Business class menu, fantastic entertainment (including Wayfarer TV episodes!), a sleeper service for overnight flights and some of the world’s best onboard service.

Fiji Airways has a fantastic new Business Class menu

In economy class, passengers can upgrade their journey with some additional benefits such as the My Bubble and My Island seating arrangements allow passengers to purchase an extra seat or row respectively in economy for extra space and comfort. My Island comes with a mattress topper, Business class pillow, additional blanket and seat belt extension.

Travellers onboard all services will enjoy the award-winning Fijian hospitality and travel perks including increased baggage allowance from 23kg to 30kg for economy class passengers on all international flights and a complementary ‘Our Ocean Our Life’ in-flight activity pack for kids.