Was in LA area shooting for a book project and traveling with my two work associates(assistant and stylist). Booked into the Best Western Mikado because we had a few days of shooting on location very close to this motel in Studio City. The motel was clean and the staff friendly, not a great place but not a bad place but seemed a good value for the room charge.
The third day we arrived back from shooting probably at 6pm or so and there were 5 police cars parked both in the lot and on the Riverside Drive. We slowly pulled into the small parking lot past the police who were in the process of handcuffing a few guys and a woman.
Went to the front desk where nearby was a man sitting down and a police officer. I asked the front desk person what was up with the police action and he did not offer any info but the guy sitting heard my question and said he had come here for a "casual encounter" with a woman he contacted online thru Craig's List and once in the room was jumped by 4 men.
We checked out immediately and there was no refund offered. Went to the Courtyard by Marriott in Pasadena.
Guess the caution I would offer is that any "motel" in or near the San Fernando Valley --or anywhere for that matter--might be less secure than a hotel where guests have to walk thru the front lobby to get to their room.
The Courtyard was a better value---and for just $20 more a night per room--and it offered a better sense of security.
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