Santa Monica is my favorite city in Los Angeles. Yes, cities, because Los Angeles actually includes over 80 cities!
I’ve been here in Waterfront West Los Angeles, with a variety of boutique hotels dotted on the coast over a dozen times, and here’s what I think of some of them to help you determine the best place to stay in Santa Monica.
If you’ve never been to Santa Monica before, everything it needs in Los Angeles: It’s not far from Lax Airport, shopping on the Third Street Promenade on the sidewalk (more on the surrounding streets).
Its food world is also delicious, it has amazing Pacific sunsets, if you like at the cocktail bar, it is better to have a cocktail and enjoy the sea view My favorite bar is here>
You will get to know Santa Monica through the Ferris Wheel, the iconic marina of the Bubba Gump restaurant, and the end of the Santa Monica Pier is the official end of Highway 66 – (For you, there are plenty of fun activities, bike hires and tour shops on the wide sand and ocean.
Actually, it’s a must-do: go along the promenade on the dock, or even rent a bike, or walk up the beach, walk 2 km, extending along the 2 km to Venice Beach, through all the buffs, Catch the driverless Waymo Cars, go further.
If you only 1 day in Santa MonicaI have a great itinerary on the new website America trips America.
This is the best Hotel Santa Monica, I stayed in it all the time.
Georgia Hotels
This historic Santa Monica hotel is located on Ocean Street, short from shops. This is one of the closest hotels to the heart of Santa Monica with stunning views of the beach, marina and stunning sunsets.
But stepping into the interior, Art Deco will make fans of 1930s open their eyes and spin.
We stayed here for a few nights on our honeymoon and really enjoyed the roadside balcony for breakfast or a glass of wine. A great person point of view – when we don’t stare into each other’s eyes!
Regent Santa Monica Beach
Previously Loews, multi-million dollar makeovers have ensured that this beach beauty will last for many years. I stayed here a few years ago with the view not changing, looking at the muscle beach at Santa Monica Pier.
But the other day, I showed up to see the new lobby space and dining options. The flowers that greet you on the main door set the tone for the elegance of the entire underground hospitality space.
When you need a quick snack with coffee, there is a cafe in front of you, sweet July, for pastries and baked goods. But I walked to Orla, a restaurant that showed this view on several levels with floor-to-ceiling windows. It was breakfast time, so I ordered the bagels topped with barbecue and latte. Too generous, it beat me!
The pool cabin is only suitable for in-house guests, but I caught a sneaky photo for you!
Pied Santa Monica
Pierside was formerly Holiday Inn, a hotel’s hidden gem. It is opposite the Santa Monica Pier, and to its west is the most amazing six-story mural.
The first floor lobby restaurant and bar, Surf Fox, is a great place to have a drink on the street terrace or inside the central bar or sit at the table. They also offer amazing lobster rolls and fries!
There is a small swimming pool, sandwiched to a wall bordering the highway. But it was a lovely breathing on hot LA Day. The room was spacious and the bed was very comfortable but the shower asked me to say hello. This is a huge walk-in tile shower with benches, rainforest or wall shower heads. Just like a spa!
Instead of providing iron and boards, they added an iron steamer to our fine clothes that wrinkled luggage. You can shop across the street and eat on the rooftop of Santa Monica Place or two blocks from Third Street Promenade for more shopping.
Blinds on the beach
If you are looking for a premium Santa Monica beach hotel, you won’t be able to get more beach front than the blinds on the beach!
The beach is actually at the front door, as the hotel is U-shaped most rooms with views of the view from the pool, reaching about 200m of Santa Monica Beach and the marina.
It’s designed just like what I imagined Cape Cod Holiday Home. Wooden blinds on the windows (good touch), white wooden furniture in the room, cozy chairs and beds are high, you may need a stool in the closet to crawl in (I do!) and a bathroom that opens up the romantic moments in the bedroom. Bathtub with view!
Your shopping and entertainment activities on the Third Street Promenade are also easy to walk.
Coast Hotel
This hotel is located on Ocean Avenue, just the road between you and the cliffs above Sandy Santa Monica Beach.
All are glass and smooth designs. Very style and a swimming pool is hit in the front, but it is hidden behind the discrete frosted glass of the highway. The blue light was also lit at night.
The location of this hotel is great and shopping as you are actually just two blocks from the promenade of 3rd Street.
The place to eat here is the Mexican blue dish tacos in front of the hotel on the street. Ideal for people to watch with margarita and a bowl of tortilla chips.
Governor Santa Monica
In a former office building in 1960, the building was blocked by tall hedges that seemed to want to hide behind them, the most low-key building in town.
This Governor’s hotel looks boring, but enters the Kelly Wearstler-designed lobby with its shabby antique mirror lined against the wall behind the reception desk, your eyes turn your eyes to the pool and cabins, and you’ll be in this boutique hotel wow.
Even if you are not staying here, come to the poolside drink or book dinner. If you stay here, you will enjoy some extra touches in the room and the epic views.
Compared to other hotels, shopping is much further away from Third Street, but the brisk walking doesn’t solve it!
Fairmont Miramar Hotel
This elegant Fairmont Hotel is behind a 100-year-old fig tree in lieu of the fees paid for hotel rooms.
There are two very different accommodations available: the garden villa that you can walk through the lobby and the garden, as well as the hotel suites in the main building. I’ve been in both of these things and have a rich level of luxury.
The former board room was located in the bungalow (to the left of my photo), and has been transformed into one of the most popular bars in town, namely the bungalow. View my post My favorite Santa Monica bar.
Garden of Eden
This Art Deco hotel (actually modern) was formerly Shangri-Los Angeles and has recently been taken over and renamed by Eden. It is painted in blazing white on the corner of Ocean Avenue and Wilhill Boulevard and is enviable on the street, attracting the feel of ocean-lined lining from the street.
Inside, the original 1939 features have been respectfully renovated, with the room offering stunning views of the ocean.
The rooftop bar is undergoing a complete renovation and will open in late summer 2025. Please continue to pay attention.
Read my top Choose the best bars in Santa Monica There are several such hotels and some great bars, views, fireplaces, craft beer…
If you have time, choose one of these fast road trips from this list 12 amazing trips to Los Angeles!
