Oceana

The Oceana sits on Ocean Avenue, but that doesn't mean it's on the beach. Santa Monica Beach is actually a 10- to 15-minute walk from the hotel -- across the street, down a bluff, across a pedestrian bridge over a highway, and through a parking lot. Ocean Avenue is one of the main drags in Santa Monica; it runs along the shore, atop the beachside bluffs. In Palisades Park, along the west side of the street, locals run, walk their dogs, and do boot-camp exercises with personal trainers. For hotels that are actually on the beach, check out Casa Del Mar and Shutters.

• 10- to 15-minute walk to Santa Monica Beach
• 15-minute walk to Third Street Promenade, a famous pedestrian-only outdoor shopping mall
• 21-minute walk to Santa Monica Place Mall
• 24-minute walk to the iconic Santa Monica Pier, with its ferris wheel, video game arcade, and assorted carnival-style amusements
• 15-minute drive to popular Venice Beach
• 30-minute drive to Rodeo Drive/Beverly Hills
• 40-minute drive to Los Angeles International Airport
• 45-minute drive to Hollywood Boulevard
• 50-minute drive to Universal Studios

Hotel Oceana's building was constructed in the 1950s as a residential property, so the rooms are far larger than the ones at other Santa Monica hotels, or at most hotels, for that matter. They range from 450-500 square feet, while Suites from 700-850 square feet. All are bright and cheery, with a thoughtful design. About a third of the rooms have ocean views.

The Oceana doesn't quite stack up against its luxury neighbors when it comes to on-site amenities. Its fitness center is small, there's really no business center, and there's no on-site spa (though the hotel will arrange in-room spa and salon services -- facials, massages, mani-pedis -- through outside companies). The pool is big enough for short laps. It's rarely crowded during the day, with plenty of padded lounge chairs and towels and attentive poolside food and drink service (a pool attendant provides free treats in the summertime). The pool deck features a small high-top seating area and a mosaic fireplace with comfy love seats and a coffee table in front.

Oceana offers free group yoga classes in Palisades Park (private lessons can be arranged) and free guided hikes in Temescal Canyon, plus free hour-long surfing lessons at Santa Monica or Venice Beach on Saturdays in the summer (advance notification required; includes free transportation). Beach cruisers are free to borrow.

 The fitness center is small and a little below ground level, but glass sliding doors leading to the pool area. The gym has modern equipment and free weights. A boardroom that seats up to 60 people has ocean views and a 50-inch flat-screen TV for presentations. The room is available by reservation for a steep daily fee, plus any catering expenses. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.

The array of conveniences here isn't as great as at comparable hotels nearby; the Fairmont Miramar has free shuttle service, for example, and the Oceana doesn't. But at the Oceana, anyone you meet -- from the porter to the doorman to the front desk clerk -- can offer directions, tips, and a friendly smile. Everyone gives their name and remembers guests' names. The 24-hour front desk staff is trained to act as full concierges. Room service is available daily, though it seems to be the one area of service in which the hotel struggles -- guests have reported things like long wait times, cold deliveries, and mixed-up orders.