Carmageddon angst? Stay at Fairmont for $405 a night during 405 freeway shutdown

If you’re freaked out about the planned mid-July closure of the 405 freeway, relax. That’s the word from Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, which suggests skipping the traffic meltdown and instead chilling out in an ocean-view room starting at $405 a night. OK, it’s not cheap, but it’s less than the usual room rate and it comes with free parking too.

The deal: Whether or not you believe the doomsday traffic predictions for the July 16-17 freeway construction shutdown, there’s something tempting about sitting it out at this 300-room resort within walking distance of the ocean, the Santa Monica Pier and the Third Street Promenade.

The Live Like a Local offer is a considerable savings off the hotel’s usual room rates. Starting at $405 a night plus tax, you get an ocean-view room with a balcony and free parking.

When: The offer is good through the end of July.

Tested: I checked on availability at the hotel’s website for a two-night stay starting July 16, the weekend of the closure. I found an ocean-view room with a king-sized bed for $405 a night plus tax. The best available rate for the same room on the same nights without the deal was $509 a night plus tax. And parking would cost an additional $33 a night.

The 405 freeway is being closed for bridge demolition to make space to build carpool lanes, according to the MTA. Ramp closures will start at 7 p.m. and lane closures at 10 p.m. July 15, with full shutdowns on July 16 and 17. Northbound lanes will be closed for 10 miles from the 10 Freeway to the 101 Freeway, which includes travel through the Sepulveda Pass; southbound lanes will shut for four miles from the 101 Freeway to the Getty Center Drive exit. Both the Getty Center and the Skirball Cultural Center will close for the weekend too.

Contact: Fairmont Miramar Hotels & Resorts, (310) 576-7777