Perfect for Plane Spotting: Sheraton Gateway LAX

This year, I’ve explored various corners of the United States, each journey offering its own unique experiences. One memorable escapade led to a 15-hour layover at LAX airport. Having frequented LAX in the past, I wasn’t driven by the urge to explore or sight see.

However, being aware of its reputation as a fantastic spot for plane-spotting, I found myself unexpectedly delighted by the circumstance.

My primary goal was to secure accommodation for the night, ideally in close proximity to the renowned In-N-Out Burger. I sought somewhere reasonably comfortable within walking distance of this iconic eatery, famed not just for its burgers but also for the prime view it offers from its parking lot—a perfect vantage point for observing aircraft land on runway 24R at LAX.

Plane-spotting was the sole planned activity on my agenda, well, that and savouring a burger amidst all the plane spotting !

There are many hotels surrounding the airport, but on my date this Sheraton just seemed the best bet, so I booked it, knowing full well it isn’t a particularly great hotel itself.

For reference the address is: In-N-Out Burger is 9149 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Arrival At LAX and Transport

I landed on a American Airlines flight and while I was travelling light enough and was aware I was walking distance to the hotel. I was also aware the hotel offered Shuttle services from all the terminals.

Therefore upon landing, I tried to find the right exit to these shuttle busses. There was certainly no signage or anything indicating this. Eventually I found the exit for this, which involved getting escalators back up.

Once there, again there was no clear spots where each hotels shuttle service is meant to actually pick up. So many shuttle buses were coming and going it was hard to keep track.

After 15 minutes or so, I literally watched a Sheraton Shuttle bus go by, without stopping, I had no idea if it had already stopped somewhere due to other Shuttles blocking it or not.

I managed to get onto the next one a full 30 minutes later. Wasting valuable plane spotting time, where had I known, I would have just got an Uber straight away !

Check-In

The hotel building looked more like a 1960’s council estate in England than the rock and roll glamour of the era

Due to the transfer delay by the time I arrived for check-in it was already past 4pm, with little time left to enjoy the golden sunset hour of plane-spotting

The reception itself was pleasant and well kept. Though if you looked close enough there were elements of shabby in the lobby areas.

I requested a room with runway views and this was honoured. No mention or recognition of my Bonvoy status however. Besides this check staff were friendly and efficient.

Sheraton Gateway LAX Room

I booked the Traditional King Room which is the standard room. When I looked at other room options, I really could not tell anything different about the Deluxe King Room at all

The room is quite spacious and comes with the standard mini fridge, 49″ smart TV, a desk and two sofa chairs.

It has a good sized pillow top bed with bedside tables with very traditional looking lamps..

View wise, you have windows that cover about half that aspect of the room..

How marvellous would this have been If this was a floor to ceiling window looking out at the runways?

The hotel itself was supposedly renovated in 2016, but it is surprising as this cannot have been anywhere near a high end renovation for the time!

Sheraton Gateway Bathroom

The bathroom itself was a very decent size with all the essential amenities..

The walk-in shower was also very comfortable with a good pressure shower..

They do not have miniature toiletries in this Sheraton. Instead they had full sized shower gel, shampoo and conditioner by UK brand Gilchrist & Soames

The room also had an unusually large storage closet besides the bathroom, which contained iron/ironing board and bathrobe & slippers.

LAX Runway Views

Before and after I was under the flight landing path, I enjoyed the rest of my time enjoying the airport action from the room

You get a good view of both the taxi into position for take-offs and are able to follow that through to the point of rotating and right until the point of aircrafts reaching 500 feet or so…

Other Facilities

The hotel has a decent pool and gym as well as providing breakfast option but I had no time to enjoy any of that unfortunately.

Overall Thoughts

This isn’t a glamourous hotel by any measure. It is even a poor relation to other Sheratons around the world such as the Grand Sheraton in Istanbul.

It is however a perfectly acceptable and comfortable place for a quick layover or for those on a specific mission to enjoy some plane-spotting at LAX. The bed was very decent and maybe this was me being very tired, but I didn’t even hear aircraft noise after I drifted off in bed.

Another think I should note here that I was entirely surprised here, I was here in July, peak summer for European and was in LAX after spending some time in the intense head of Texas. And therefore LAX felt much more colder than I would have expected with temperature of only 15/16 degrees in the afternoon! So come prepared !