UPDATE: rate extended until 10/1, but only as long as rooms are available, so if you haven’t booked yet and were planning to, do it soon!

we have managed to secure a very steep discount at the Standard Hotel in downtown LA (careful, there’s also one in west hollywood…) this is where we got engaged, and we love the mod-retro-chic vibe. the rates are (finally) even better than those offered on expedia or through other discount travel sites we’ve found.

the hotel is a 10-15 minute drive to our house in silverlake, where the wedding will be held. we’ll also be arranging a sunset cocktail hour on the hotel’s rooftop bar on the thursday before the wedding.

you can see room layouts and photos at the hotel’s website, but here’s a little more info and rates for several sizes:

MEDIUM: Located on higher floors. These rooms are 280 square feet in size, each with a queen size platform bed. There is a large screen TV, MP3 player, and a big see-through, glass walk in shower (no tub). $125.00 per night.

LARGE (Single or Double): 380 square feet in size.  There is a king size platform bed and a huge see-through walk in shower (no tub). Large screen TV, I-pod Dock with complimentary high speed and wireless internet. In the Double Standard room the see-through shower is covered with a curtain or frosted. Large Room (one bed): $145.00 per night. Double Room (two beds): $155.00 per night

HUGE: 420 square feet in size. There is a King size platform bed and sitting area. An oversized bathtub sits in the middle of the room with a spacious vanity area and a separate water closet. $180.00 per night

please note these rates do not include valet parking, $28/day.

to book a room at this hotel, call the reservations line at 866 670 8686 and mention the “krochmal and maxwell wedding block.” the rates will be available till September 20, 2009. October 1, 2009.

if you’re traveling from out of town but not renting a car, the flyaway bus is the best way to get from LAX (which is not as close to our part of town as burbank, but obviously has more flight options). you want the bus to union station, downtown, for a grand total of $7 each way. from there you can catch a cab—or we’re happy to help coordinate a ride for you to a hotel or friend’s house, just drop us a note.

if you like to live on the wild side and wait and see what great specials might pop up for something even swanker, we recommend hotwire’s travel ticker. be sure to read the fine print—most require advance payment and are non-refundable. but we’ve found amazing specials for hotels (including our mini-honeymoon) by subscribing to their newsletter or checking the website weekly.

a budget alternative, with free parking and within walking distance* from our house, where the wedding will be held. shana’s parents have stayed there and report it’s newly renovated, very basic 2 1/2-star type accommodations (including a mini-fridge and microwave). they also recommend calling to make a reservation and asking for various discounts (AAA, senior, etc) as they secured a much lower rate than advertised for their last stay.

*the walk is 10-15 minutes, and on the way to our house it’s uphill. but not both ways. on the way back to the hotel it’s all downhill.

great discounts are available right now at our favorite downtown LA hotel, the standard. (this is where we got engaged on our anniversary!) please note these rates do not include valet parking, $28/day.

see update w/ group rates that may be even lower here.