Ramada by Wyndham Torrance

The lobby of this older, motel-style property makes a better impression than the exterior. The bright and tidy space has been updated with handsome wood laminate floors and attractive white leather furniture that offers a comfortable place to sit. The spacious breakfast room has the same floors, as well as new wood tables and chairs. Like many other hotels that offer a free breakfast, it can get crowded at peak times. But this hotel is generally a quiet property for budget-conscious tourists passing through the area, or travelers with business nearby. Most guests are only staying a short while, and tend to stick to themselves. 

The Ramada is located on a commercial stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance, where several car dealerships and restaurants line both sides of the busy road. A large shopping center with a department store, cinema complex, grocery stores, pharmacy, and several restaurants is only one minute away by car. Popular beaches, including Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Manhattan Beach are 13 minutes, 20 minutes, and 25 minutes by car, respectively, but can take much longer to reach them in traffic. Torrance Airport is a three-minute drive, and reaching Los Angeles International Airport and Long Beach Airport are both about 30 minutes by car.

At the time of our review, a renovation of the guest rooms was underway and scheduled for completion by the end of 2017. We saw two units that had been refreshed, and they had nice decorative touches for a budget hotel. There were wood laminate floors and furniture with an amber finish, and red accent walls behind beds with headboards that almost touched the ceilings. Espresso leather armchairs were a nice touch, as were the red leather office chairs that accompanied the roomy desks. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs coffeemakers with free coffee and tea, mini-fridges, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Some of the rooms also have microwaves and small sinks.

Bathrooms are basic but tidy, equipped with shower/tub combos, roomy vanities, hairdryers, and toiletries. Units in one of the two have balconies on the second floor, but the views from all of the rooms are nothing more than the surrounding commercial area. 

This budget hotel offers several attractive amenities, such as a spacious outdoor pool that’s eight-and-a-half-feet deep at one end. It’s surrounded by a whirlpool, covered tables, and loungers. A free continental breakfast is available daily, with a make-your-own waffle machine. The lobby convenience shop sells sundries, soft drinks, and food, including frozen entrees, and there's a microwave. Free coffee and tea are available all day as well. The lobby business center has a computer and printer for guests to use, and there's meeting space for up to 40 people. A guest laundry room is available, as is valet dry cleaning. Parking is free, pets are welcome with a nightly surcharge, and there's free Wi-Fi throughout. Travelers with limited mobility should be aware that there's no elevator to reach second-floor rooms.