SAWE 2026 Hotel Search
Preliminary Report to Planning Committee
I have completed my initial review and contacts with potential hotel facilities that lie broadly in the Los Angeles area and can now present to you the list and general pricing expectation of the properties and locales that will most closely meet SAWE’s historical needs and preferences regarding the issues of location, meeting space, quality, pricing and expense to attendees.
Please note that given SAWE’s long conference history and strong desire to minimize costs to attendees I essentially limited my search to those properties and areas that will offer a 2026 room rate no higher than the $200 mark, which in itself exceeds any previous room rate paid by SAWE although far from the rate most 3.5 to 4 star properties are charging in the burgeoning national and local hotel market, with LA being one of the most expensive markets in the U.S.
Consequently, my initial search identified the most viable areas for SAWE – those being just adjacent to LAX, at or near John Wayne and in the Valencia Town Center area – and the hotels included all represent excellent relative value choices*.
Beyond room rate, the level (or absence) of meeting room rental and minimum group food and beverage spending requirements – which is almost universal in the conference hotel industry – is likely to play a significant role in your ultimate hotel choice.
Please find the results of my initial search in the attached sheet and don’t hesitate to ask any question to me via e-mail or phone.
I appreciate the opportunity to serve you in determining an optimum hotel choice and look forward to our ongoing interactions.
(Name redacted)
Executive Meetings
(phone number redacted)
* Note that I intentionally don’t make any “hard” negotiations of rates and prices at this stage
LAX Hotels
There are at least two very nice hotels with abundant conference facilities that are virtually adjacent to or quite near LAX that will offer room rates in the $175 range and minimal meeting space rental, along with group food and beverage requirements in the easily attained $12K – $20K range.
Primary properties under consideration: Sonesta & Sheraton
A very positive factor here is virtually no to/from airport transportation costs to an attendee. Some may question its largely commercial setting and distance from many local attractions.
John Wayne Hotels
Very similarly, the locale adjacent to or within a couple miles of John Wayne hosts three properties that are in the $175 – $195 price range, minimal priced or complimentary meeting space and attainable food and beverage requirements.
Primary properties under consideration: Crowne Plaza, Doubletree, Sonesta
A positive with these properties includes close and low cost, or free, airport accessibility and central location to Newport Beach, LA and Long Beach.
Valencia/Santa Clarita
I have included this property because of SAWE’s past positive experience in hosting a conference here and because of its upscale facilities and immediate location adjacent to the Valencia Town Center. The room rate here should end up just below $200 with a minimal food and beverage requirement and complimentary meeting space.
This property presents a high quality suburban setting. On the negative side at more than 30 miles north of LAX it will require by far the greatest local travel time and expense of attendees.