Hotel Hermosa

From the exterior, the hotel looks like a typical motel with concrete walls and a few balconies and stucco flower boxes. But the David Bowie-inspired statue next to the lobby entrance should indicate that there's more than meets the eye at Hotel Hermosa. The hotel underwent a renovation in 2015 that brought vintage California cool interiors and outdoor mingling spaces. The large lobby area consists of high ceilings, pendant lights, and groovy furniture like a wavy sofa. The space is also home to Beach Eats Cafe (counter service only) and leads outside to The Yard. An outdoor adult playground, The Yard holds bocce ball, fire pits, and pool tables -- plus there are some peek-a-boo ocean views. It's too bad the outdoor pool is in front of the hotel, and seems like an afterthought compared to the more hip features. Guests are almost entirely tourists who want to be near the beach. 

Hotel Hermosa is located right on the Pacific Coast Highway, in an area filled with strip malls and traffic. But, it's also a 10-minute walk (or four-minute drive)  to The Strand, a busy, 26-mile paved promenade that runs parallel to Hermosa Beach. Closer to the beach, visitors will find restaurants, shops, and nightlife venues -- like the Comedy & Magic Club, where Jay Leno is known to make an appearance. Los Angeles's main tourist attractions are further away. It's about an hour's drive to Hollywood and 45 minutes to Santa Monica's beaches. Los Angeles International Airport is close by, just a 15-minute drive. 

Rooms, lofts, and suites were renovated in 2015, and the decor has a distinct California vintage beach vibe. Urban King Rooms feature blue geometric print carpets, Mid-Century Modern inspired furniture, and interesting art such as enormous framed quotes over the beds and palm tree tapestries. Lofts provide a second bedroom area, accessible by a spiral staircase. All rooms come with huge flat-screen TVs, a mini-fridge, coffeemaker, microwave, Baja blankets, beach towels, robes, a safe, iron, ironing board, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are lovely with white subway tiles and bold orange striped wallpaper. Some bathrooms feature historical celebrity mug shots. Shower/tub combos, white marble vanities, and C.O. Bigelow toiletries are provided. Some rooms have balconies and about half of the rooms have distant ocean views. Past guests have complained about noise from neighboring rooms due to thin walls. 

Features at Hotel Hermosa are above-and-beyond what you'll find at most mid-range hotels. There's a cute surfboard-themed restaurant, Beach East Cafe. it's counter service only and makes on-demand tacos and burritos, plus sells pastries, specialty coffees, and cold items like cereal. A small shop near the front desk has beachy items like sunscreen, snacks, and yoga towels for sale. The large lobby serves as a joint dining room and co-working space; Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. The Yard offers a variety of adult entertainment on its artificial grass lawn. Expect bocce ball, fire pits, corn hole, and billiards tables. There's also a pool towards the front of the hotel, and though it has flowers and a privacy wall, it's close enough to the highway to hear it. The yoga room is a cute space with 24-hour streaming yoga videos. Valet and self-parking are available in a garage behind the hotel, both options cost extra.