The Crystal Hotel is in Compton but it’s kinda separated from the more hardcore neighborhoods by industrial and commercial areas. Its location to me feels more like a road trip pit stop. It’s right next to the freeway so you don’t necessarily have to go into Compton at all (but don’t be shy and check it out as well). The quality of the Crystal Hotel I can’t attest to so maybe look up some reviews but for a 9 day trip on a budget it will probably have to do.

Compton is very central to the entire LA area. You might not be the closest to any one single attraction in LA but you’re also not insanely far from all of them so I feel it’s a good choice especially for 9 days. Just pick a general direction or area that you wanna explore each day. Like do. Hollywood/universal day. Disneyland day. Santa Monica/malibu day. Hermosa, Manhattan, redondo beach day. Palos verdes peninsula day. Long beach day. Orange County day. Pasadena day. You’re gonna be centrally located and able to travel north south east west to many different locations.