Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

A large driveway and a sleek, glass-clad section in the façade make the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel stand out among its neighbors along Ocean Avenue. The hotel is upscale but not flamboyant, with subdued, ocean-inspired interiors rather than grand spaces full of marble and glitz. Topped with a huge skylight and featuring large windows on all sides, the atrium-style lobby feels inviting and relaxed. Big armchairs in blue and neutral hues make it a pleasant spot for mingling or unwinding, while area rugs and carpeting in an ocean palette muffle the noise coming from the exterior corridors set overlooking the reception area. The outdoors is particularly appealing, with towering palm trees, a bi-level pool deck with ocean views, and an intimate section overlooking the beach, complete with fire pits, seating, and a gurgling fountain.

Guests at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel are a good mix of business travelers and families. While some common areas can feel overrun with corporate guests when several conferences take place on-site at the same time, the vibe is generally laid-back and relaxing.

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel is located on Ocean Avenue, a wide, palm-fringed boulevard lined with private residences and upscale hotels (including Casa del Mar) west of Downtown Los Angeles. Although it is not actually on the beach, getting there is easy: guests can take the back door of the hotel, cross the street, and walk past the lovely garden (a sort of ready-made wedding location). The hotel is also nicely situated a five-minute walk from the Santa Monica Pier, which features games, rides, and an iconic Ferris wheel. Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade, an outdoor strip mall home to dozens of local and chain stores, restaurants and bars, is about 15 minutes away on foot. Other local attractions, including Rodeo Drive, Hollywood Boulevard, and Universal Studios can be reached by car in about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. The hotel is about a 15-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport, but it can take up to an hour to get there during rush hour.

The hotel’s 347 rooms were fully renovated in 2016 and have a fresh, contemporary feel to them. Decor is stylish yet subdued, with a beach-inspired palette that combines blue-and-beige carpets with neutral headboards and walls, plus clean-lined wooden furniture. Soft gray accents with pops of navy add elegance. Rooms start at about 330 square feet -- which is standard for Los Angeles -- and have large glass doors that open to furnished balconies or patios.

Rooms and suites are outfitted with a wide array of upscale amenities, including 52-inch flat-screen TVs, premium minibars, terry towels, single-cup coffeemakers, and safes big enough for a laptop. Wi-Fi is included in the daily resort fee, as is turndown service with water (on request only). King rooms and all suites feature sofa beds, and about 35 units have a private fire pit on the patio. While many rooms and suites offer lovely beach views, most entry-level units have unexciting views of the neighboring buildings.

Bathrooms are sleek and clean, with double sinks, marble and wood vanities, large lighted mirrors, and big walk-in showers. Julien Farel Anti-Aging toiletries are provided in all rooms and suites.

A common complaint of past guests is thin walls with little soundproofing, which means noise can carry from the hallways as well as between rooms.

Aside from easy access to a lovely stretch of Santa Monica Beach, the hotel features a two-tier pool deck complete with a narrow heated pool long enough for laps, dozens of loungers, a whirlpool, and ocean views. Pool concierges go around the pool several times per day offering chilled towels, Evian mist, smoothies, and fresh fruit. The gym is big and features a wide range of cardio and strength-training machines. The adjacent locker rooms offer showers with free toiletries.

The Loews is a popular event venue thanks to its over 17,000 square feet of indoor meeting space and ample outdoor areas that can be rented for the day. Catering services and audiovisual equipment are available for a fee, and the hotel has its own dedicated events team that can help with a wide range of other requests. The hotel also features a 24-hour business center.

While many guests here are business travelers, the hotel also does a good job catering to families, with perks such as free cribs, free baby toiletries, a selection of board games, beach toys, and even loaner strollers. Pets are also welcome for a fee. Dog-friendly services include pet room service menu, beds, bowls and treats, and even personalized welcome letters. The hotel allows a maximum of two pets per room.

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel also offers free local shuttle service (one-mile radius), valet parking for a fee, and an on-site rental shop with skates, bikes, and boogie boards.

The hotel offers two dining options, both casual and with outdoor seating. Ocean and Vine serves up local seafood for lunch and is also open for breakfast. BarBelle offers a farm-to-table menu for lunch and dinner, along with cocktails and snacks throughout the day. It is located off the lobby and provides poolside service.