Hotel Bookings Rise for 'Carmageddon' Weekend

As the “Carmageddon" frenzy approaches, people are making arrangements to stay in hotels to be near their workplace when the 405 Freeway closes down this weekend.

“We are almost sold out,” said David Cornish, general manager at Sherman Oaks. Many guests are people who work in the area and cannot risk being stuck in traffic, he said.

Cornish told the San Fernando Business Journal that the hotel is targeting weekend commuters, such as physicians, entertainment industry professionals and retail workers.

The usual one night rate is being discounted from $159 down to $109.

The hotel has made special accommodations for some of its own staff who will be sleeping on site. Most will be taking surface streets to work. Cornish said he has met with all of the hotel's employees to discuss how things will be a little different on Saturday and Sunday. Food and beverage supplies have been adjusted to make sure there is enough of both.

“Our only question is the same as everybody else’s,” Cornish said. “Is it going to be bad or is it going to be light? We have no idea."