This chic, 164-room beach hotel opened in 2011 with a prime location across from the Santa Monica Pier and a block away from shopping and entertainment on Third Street Promenade. The building has a sleek, eco-friendly design, and comfortable rooms feature private balconies; city or ocean views; and modern technologies such as free Wi-Fi and self-adjusting thermostats. The lovely courtyard pool area and well-equipped fitness center are also pluses, as is the locally sourced Mexican restaurant.
This chic, 164-room beach hotel opened in 2011 with a prime location across from the Santa Monica Pier and a block away from shopping and entertainment on Third Street Promenade. The building has a sleek, eco-friendly design, and comfortable rooms feature private balconies; city or ocean views; and modern technologies such as free Wi-Fi and self-adjusting thermostats. The lovely courtyard pool area and well-equipped fitness center are also pluses, as is the locally sourced Mexican restaurant.
It's best known for its sexy bar and pool scenes, but Viceroy Santa Monica boasts substance as well: friendly service, an environmental conscience, and a restaurant using locally sourced ingredients. Many of the 162 well-sized rooms and suites have ocean views, and all have sleek Hollywood Regency style and amenities like flat-screen TVs/DVD players and 24-hour room service. The Viceroy isn't particularly kid-friendly (you'll more likely find aspiring models sipping cocktails by the pool than tykes doing cannonballs), so families may prefer Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel for its "Loews Loves Kids" program.
It's best known for its sexy bar and pool scenes, but Viceroy Santa Monica boasts substance as well: friendly service, an environmental conscience, and a restaurant using locally sourced ingredients. Many of the 162 well-sized rooms and suites have ocean views, and all have sleek Hollywood Regency style and amenities like flat-screen TVs/DVD players and 24-hour room service. The Viceroy isn't particularly kid-friendly (you'll more likely find aspiring models sipping cocktails by the pool than tykes doing cannonballs), so families may prefer Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel for its "Loews Loves Kids" program.
Huntley Santa Monica Beach is a design-conscious upper-middle-range hotel with gorgeous views of Santa Monica Beach everywhere from the rooftop restaurant to most of the guest rooms to the exterior glass elevator. The hotel underwent a massive refresh in 2017, and the result is interiors that are artistic and contemporary. Each of the 204 rooms comes with a tablet, 60-inch flat-screen TV, and Nespresso machine. Up on the 18th floor, The Penthouse Restaurant delivers gourmet cuisine and hopping weekend DJ sets. The hotel's location offers faster access to shopping at 3rd Street Promenade than it does to the beach. The biggest downsides? No pool and a daily hotel amenity fee to cover bikes and Wi-Fi. For something with fast beach access and slightly lower rates, check out the JW Marriot Santa Monica Le Merigot.
Huntley Santa Monica Beach is a design-conscious upper-middle-range hotel with gorgeous views of Santa Monica Beach everywhere from the rooftop restaurant to most of the guest rooms to the exterior glass elevator. The hotel underwent a massive refresh in 2017, and the result is interiors that are artistic and contemporary. Each of the 204 rooms comes with a tablet, 60-inch flat-screen TV, and Nespresso machine. Up on the 18th floor, The Penthouse Restaurant delivers gourmet cuisine and hopping weekend DJ sets. The hotel's location offers faster access to shopping at 3rd Street Promenade than it does to the beach. The biggest downsides? No pool and a daily hotel amenity fee to cover bikes and Wi-Fi. For something with fast beach access and slightly lower rates, check out the JW Marriot Santa Monica Le Merigot.
Luxurious (though small) rooms, an excellent spa, and a devoted staff make this five-acre, 302-room property one of the best hotels in Santa Monica. The Fairmont is not as intimate as the Oceana, and it lacks the direct beachfront of Casa Del Mar. But with beautiful grounds and a laid-back, private vibe, it's an excellent choice nonetheless.
Luxurious (though small) rooms, an excellent spa, and a devoted staff make this five-acre, 302-room property one of the best hotels in Santa Monica. The Fairmont is not as intimate as the Oceana, and it lacks the direct beachfront of Casa Del Mar. But with beautiful grounds and a laid-back, private vibe, it's an excellent choice nonetheless.
The 347-room Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel is an upscale property located across the street from a lovely beach and two blocks from Santa Monica Pier. Rooms are stylish and sunny and feature great amenities such as terry towels, Bluetooth radios, premium minibars, and large flat-screen TVs, plus furnished balconies -- many of which offer beach views. Some units have private fire pits on the patio. Although rather narrow, the pool is a great spot for a relaxing day in the sun, while the fitness center is equipped with a wide array of cardio and strength-training machines. The hotel’s two restaurants offer good farm-to-table cuisine in casual spaces with outdoor seating. Travelers seeking an even more luxe stay may want to compare rates at Hotel Casa del Mar, which is right on the beach and features a spa.
The 347-room Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel is an upscale property located across the street from a lovely beach and two blocks from Santa Monica Pier. Rooms are stylish and sunny and feature great amenities such as terry towels, Bluetooth radios, premium minibars, and large flat-screen TVs, plus furnished balconies -- many of which offer beach views. Some units have private fire pits on the patio. Although rather narrow, the pool is a great spot for a relaxing day in the sun, while the fitness center is equipped with a wide array of cardio and strength-training machines. The hotel’s two restaurants offer good farm-to-table cuisine in casual spaces with outdoor seating. Travelers seeking an even more luxe stay may want to compare rates at Hotel Casa del Mar, which is right on the beach and features a spa.
This Hostelling International outpost has an enviable location, just a block away from Third Street Promenade and a five-minute walk from Santa Monica's beach. Interiors are bright and modern, with attractive design elements like a stacked-stone fireplace and contemporary art on the walls. There are 43 six- or 10-person mixed or gender-separated dormitories plus a communal kitchen, library, laundry, and free Wi-Fi. Private double rooms exist, but they're tough to score. With a free continental breakfast included in the rate, this hostel is by far the most economical choice in the Los Angeles area. For traditional hotel rooms with a nice dose of style, travelers can investigate the nearby budget-friendly Seaview Hotel, though rates will surely be higher.
This Hostelling International outpost has an enviable location, just a block away from Third Street Promenade and a five-minute walk from Santa Monica's beach. Interiors are bright and modern, with attractive design elements like a stacked-stone fireplace and contemporary art on the walls. There are 43 six- or 10-person mixed or gender-separated dormitories plus a communal kitchen, library, laundry, and free Wi-Fi. Private double rooms exist, but they're tough to score. With a free continental breakfast included in the rate, this hostel is by far the most economical choice in the Los Angeles area. For traditional hotel rooms with a nice dose of style, travelers can investigate the nearby budget-friendly Seaview Hotel, though rates will surely be higher.
The DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Santa Monica is popular for two reasons: location and room size. The 253 rooms are all two-room suites, complete with two 55-inch flat-screen TVs, a pull-out sofa, and a wet bar with a coffeemaker and mini-fridge. Decor is classic, though slightly dated and past guests have complained about cleanliness and maintenance issues. There are three dining/bar venues and an outdoor pool, but guests don't tend to linger. The location is a 10-minute walk from the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade. Note that valet parking costs extra. For more contemporary rooms and to be even closer to the beach, the JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot is a good choice.
The DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Santa Monica is popular for two reasons: location and room size. The 253 rooms are all two-room suites, complete with two 55-inch flat-screen TVs, a pull-out sofa, and a wet bar with a coffeemaker and mini-fridge. Decor is classic, though slightly dated and past guests have complained about cleanliness and maintenance issues. There are three dining/bar venues and an outdoor pool, but guests don't tend to linger. The location is a 10-minute walk from the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade. Note that valet parking costs extra. For more contemporary rooms and to be even closer to the beach, the JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot is a good choice.
The 67-room Days Inn Santa Monica is a two-pearl hotel that's about a 10-minute drive to Santa Monica Beach. Though the property is a bit dated and in need of a revamp, it offers homey rooms with flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, plus some have microwaves and terraces. On-site features include a free breakfast buffet, a rooftop sundeck, free underground parking, and fitness machines on every floor. Guests complain about spotty Wi-Fi, however, as well as maintenance issues. Travelers might also want to consider the Bayside Hotel, which is within walking distance of the beach and a bit more modern.
The 67-room Days Inn Santa Monica is a two-pearl hotel that's about a 10-minute drive to Santa Monica Beach. Though the property is a bit dated and in need of a revamp, it offers homey rooms with flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, plus some have microwaves and terraces. On-site features include a free breakfast buffet, a rooftop sundeck, free underground parking, and fitness machines on every floor. Guests complain about spotty Wi-Fi, however, as well as maintenance issues. Travelers might also want to consider the Bayside Hotel, which is within walking distance of the beach and a bit more modern.
The upper-middle-range Georgian Hotel is a picturesque Art Deco boutique hotel with a commanding view of Santa Monica Beach (located just across Ocean Avenue). Along with easy beach access, shops and restaurants abound -- and it's five minutes to 3rd Street Promenade. There are 56 rooms and 26 suites, and each is elegantly decorated, though only some have ocean views. Property features are few, the highlight is the Restaurant at The Georgian, with porch seating and a full bar -- it's popular with locals. Otherwise, a small fitness center and business center are the only public areas. Expect to pay extra for valet parking. If a pool is a requirement, check rates down the street at JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot, which has beach access but no beach view.
The upper-middle-range Georgian Hotel is a picturesque Art Deco boutique hotel with a commanding view of Santa Monica Beach (located just across Ocean Avenue). Along with easy beach access, shops and restaurants abound -- and it's five minutes to 3rd Street Promenade. There are 56 rooms and 26 suites, and each is elegantly decorated, though only some have ocean views. Property features are few, the highlight is the Restaurant at The Georgian, with porch seating and a full bar -- it's popular with locals. Otherwise, a small fitness center and business center are the only public areas. Expect to pay extra for valet parking. If a pool is a requirement, check rates down the street at JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot, which has beach access but no beach view.
Located just a few blocks from the ocean, this small upper-middle-range inn offers a refreshing alternative to generic chain hotels. This charming house was built in 1910 and has been lovingly restored and transformed into a bed-and-breakfast-style inn with rustic interiors. Its 15 guest rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and iPod docks, and some feature period fireplaces or private porches, a few with partial ocean views. Freebies include a home-cooked buffet breakfast, daily wine-tastings, on-site parking, and freshly baked cookies served with tea and coffee around the clock. Travelers looking for a more standard hotel experience may want to consider the Wyndham Santa Monica At The Pier, which has a heated outdoor pool, and an on-site restaurant, bar, and fitness center.
Located just a few blocks from the ocean, this small upper-middle-range inn offers a refreshing alternative to generic chain hotels. This charming house was built in 1910 and has been lovingly restored and transformed into a bed-and-breakfast-style inn with rustic interiors. Its 15 guest rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and iPod docks, and some feature period fireplaces or private porches, a few with partial ocean views. Freebies include a home-cooked buffet breakfast, daily wine-tastings, on-site parking, and freshly baked cookies served with tea and coffee around the clock. Travelers looking for a more standard hotel experience may want to consider the Wyndham Santa Monica At The Pier, which has a heated outdoor pool, and an on-site restaurant, bar, and fitness center.