The beaches of Santa Monica attract all sorts of visitors-- don't be surprised to see families playing on the sand next to a boot-camp fitness class with a barking instructor. Visit the Santa Monica Pier, a haven of shops, restaurants, and carnival attractions (including a Ferris wheel) atop a wooden wharf. By night, the Third Street Promenade is the place to be, bustling with activity from moviegoers, party animals, and talented street performers.
Things to do in Santa Monica
4.5 based on 4468 reviews
Set across Highway 1 from the beach, this contemporary hotel is opposite the Santa Monica Pier and 0.4 miles from 3rd Street Promenade's shops and restaurants. The modern rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and private patios or balconies (some with ocean views). Suites with ocean, city or garden views add living areas and pull-out sofas. Amenities include a 24-hour gym, and a heated outdoor pool and hot tub. There's also a casual restaurant serving Mexican dishes.
We arrived at The Shore after a brief stay in San Fran, the reception staff were all so efficient and friendly, we dropped our bags and shortly received a text to say our room was ready, the porter was super friendly and our room (405) was perfect, great view of the pier, and the ocean! The room and bathroom was immaculately clean and stayed that way throughout our stay, we were there for 6 nights. The room staff were also so friendly always had a “hello” whenever they saw us. The pool was lovely and warm and the hot tub/spa like a hot bath, again kept so clean. Towels provided and also sun cream which I’ve never seen before. We didn’t eat at the hotel so can’t comment on that. If we return to Santa Monica I would definitely stay at this hotel. I will also recommend using the metro very cheap and easy to use, you can get about quickly - the open top bus was good and informative, but on a revisit I would use the metro to go to specific areas.
4.5 based on 1397 reviews
This casual hotel opposite Palisades Park is 7-minute walk from both the shopping and amusements at the Santa Monica Pier, and the upscale shopping and dining options on the 3rd Street Promenade. Cozy, airy rooms offer soothing tones and plantation shutters, and have free Wi-Fi, minibars, coffeemakers and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Upgraded rooms offer minifridges, and/or balconies with ocean or courtyard views. Amenities include a business center, and an ornate marble lobby with an elegant sitting area.
Great stay! My wife and I came in to visit our son. We were impressed right away. Nice, friendly staff. Very clean and safe. Hotel close to everything. Will not hesitate to stay here again when we come back on vacation.
4 based on 3175 reviews
The stylish Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows embodies the eclectic, casual elegance of Santa Monica and Southern California. The beachfront hotel has been a celebrity draw ever since a young Greta Garbo moved in for an extended stay in the Roaring Twenties. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean on five sweeping acres, the Miramar offers a resort-like setting in a perfect location: walking distance to the Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica State Beach, the 26-Mile Bike Path, Venice Beach Boardwalk and the renowned Santa Monica Farmers’ Market. The critically acclaimed FIG Restaurant, namesake of the landmark 80-foot Moreton Bay Fig Tree rooted in the hotel’s front drive, serves up farm-to-table SoCal cuisine and offers patio-style atrium dining. Soko, the new sushi pop-up; the hip Bungalow Bar, with ocean views and craft cocktails; Dogtown coffee and fresh-squeezed juices; and the Lobby Lounge all create a vibrant atmosphere that is a draw for locals and international visitors alike. On-site shops include Vilebrequin, Atelier by Edward Avedis (Lady Gaga’s jeweler), Lloyd’s Barbershop and Birds & Fellows by Glam + Go. The Exhale Spa, indoor/outdoor ocean-view gym, outdoor heated pool, and Miramar Golf Academy provide plenty of ways for guests to renew, recharge and simply relax. Accommodations range from secluded beach bungalows to luxury suites with breathtaking balcony ocean views, and parking is available, along with complimentary BMW house car service within a three-mile radius, beach cruisers for guests and 24-hour concierge service. Ideal for couples seeking a romantic retreat, families looking for a fun getaway and business travelers desiring coastal comfort, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows’ experience is so unique it can be found in one place: Only at The Miramar.
My wife and I had a great two night stay here. The place is beautiful, staff was excellent, and you couldn’t hope for a better location. We flew in early and our room wasn’t ready yet, but the front desk let us use the spa bathrooms to change and clean up, then held our luggage while we took the complimentary bikes out for a ride on the beach path. Our room kept magically tidying itself up and fresh waters kept appearing throughout the trip. Top notch service and everyone was friendly as well. We’ll be staying here again the next time we’re in Santa Monica!
4 based on 3318 reviews
Situated on the Pacific Ocean with Santa Monica city on one side and the sands of legendary Muscle Beach on the other, the AAA Four-Diamond Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel is a beachfront retreat offering stunning ocean views. Proud to be the first luxury hotel in Santa Monica to receive the Santa Monica Green Business Certification, we are located on iconic Ocean Avenue and just 12 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Offering easy access to everything Santa Monica has to offer, the hotel is just blocks away from the Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, 22-mile beachfront trail, Montana Avenue, Getty Center, Venice Canal Historic District and more. Blue Streak offers outdoor dining on a spacious patio while enjoying breathtaking views of the world-famous Santa Monica Pier, and is open all day and for weekend brunch Friday - Sunday. Contemporary California farm-to-table cuisine showcases thoughtful interpretations of the familiar favorites. Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel offers pet-friendly amenities, kid-friendly activities and local fitness classes in partnership with Barry's Outdoors Beach Workout Bootcamp. We welcome you like family to our oceanfront oasis.
We really expected more with how much we paid to stay here. Some of the staff was absolutely amazing, but some of them were not. The hotel advertised a Golden Hour on their website when wine is 1/2 daily from 5-6. Every day we had to remind the same bartender because he kept overcharging. Even after a reminder he would still try to charge full price and get an attitude when it was pointed out. The hotel and room itself was very clean and has a cool aesthetic. The location is fantastic for being able to walk a lot of places. We found it odd that there wasn’t hand soap available to wash our hands in the room bathroom. We were told to use the shower gel that was provided in the shower. We made reservations to sit by a fire pit for breakfast, but found the cushions wet half of the mornings and felt like the staff didn’t care at all. Overall our stay was good, but we felt that it should have been better.
4.5 based on 2334 reviews
Located steps from the Pacific Ocean, Viceroy Santa Monica is a beloved icon of the LA beach scene for 20 years. Whether you’re lounging poolside or letting your mind drift over a martini, it’s clear: This is the place for slow days and fast company. Just check out our additions: an all-new poolside experience with expansive outdoor patio and open-air cabanas; a re-stylized lounge; inspired new meeting spaces, a revamped fitness center; and our anticipated indoor-outdoor restaurant, Sugar Palm Ocean Avenue, with coastal flavors and a wraparound bar that extends outside. Recently named one of the Top 15 Greater Los Angeles City Hotels and Top 15 City Hotels in the Continental U.S in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2021.
The staff was wonderful all weekend. They recommended great places to go, and were always very helpful, accomodating and overall lovely. The staff made the hotel experience amazing. The food at the hotel was great!
4 based on 1821 reviews
The Huntley Hotel is an oasis of understated contemporary elegance and comfort amidst the hustle and bustle of the cityscape. Surrounded by vibrant city and ocean vistas, this luxury Santa Monica hotel features 204 upscale guest rooms, along with 12 suites and a Presidential suite overlooking the Pacific. The hotel is also home to a rooftop restaurant, The Penthouse.
Really enjoyed our 4 night stay at this hotel. Super quiet rooms and great manager of the front desk. The location is super for walking to all the great restaurants in downtown Santa Monica and over to the Promenade. Only piece missing is a pool. Restaurant at the top was a bit snooty (both clientele and staff) and not to my style.
4.5 based on 1676 reviews
The Ambrose Hotel proves that luxury lifestyle can be completely sustainable. The intimate character, boutique style and award-winning, eco-friendly innovations of this uniquely crafted Santa Monica hotel sets The Ambrose as the perfect option to cookie-cutter chain hotels.
Quote/room-description stated a balcony, there was none. Shower leaked onto bathroom floor with every use. Room service was non-existent; bed never remade, bottled water not replaced, in spite of the fact that I was gone for hours at a time. It's as if you knew that once you had my money all concern was abandoned.
4.5 based on 333 reviews
Daily Resort Charge will be added to the room rate and includes: wifi: morning beach yoga: beach cruiser bike rental: water and coffee: newspaper delivery: in room streaming/bluetooth: welcome gift and beverage: house car use.
We recently had a 2 night stay with our kids (10 & 13) on a CA coast trip and wish we had stayed longer. The quaint size of the hotel is perfect, rooms are some of the best we've stayed in, location is amazing and service from all of the staff was outstanding. We LOVED the complimentary beach cruisers and used them both days. Breakfast each morning was delicious and we enjoyed cocktails one night on the third floor overlooking the ocean. Trying to think of an excuse and a time to come back!
4 based on 1661 reviews
Reminiscent of Hollywood's Golden Age with its curving ocean liner-inspired architecture and whimsical Art Deco design, Hotel Shangri-La at the Ocean has been welcoming guests to the beach since 1939. Boasting one of the best locations in downtown Santa Monica, the hotel is walking distance to the beach, Santa Monica Pier and iconic restaurants.
The Shangri La is easily the worst hotel I have ever stayed in during my many decades of travel. It is very dated, over-priced to the point of making you feel like a gullible fool for booking, and not at all customer savvy. I noticed when I arrived there was a notice pasted on the window stating that a potential purchase of the hotel was in progress. So this doesn’t help the vibe. The only optimistic thing about the place is the name. After just one night I told them that I found it intolerable to remain any longer and wanted to cancel my remaining nights. My room was next to the public lavatory for reception guests, the room had no light since an open curtain would expose me to people walking by (ground floor, facing street). Bathroom was a total disaster and I didn’t use shower the 24 hours I was there but had a much welcomed shower when I booked into another, less expensive hotel 5 minutes up the road. The place needs a massive injection of cash to turn it around because at the moment it’s like a fly trap plant…just waiting for its next victim.
4 based on 120 reviews
The all new, 4-star, full service and newly renovated Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites is located 3 blocks from the world famous Santa Monica Pier. Enjoy easy access to shops and dining at the 3rd Street Promenade. Dine at Monica's our on-site restaurant and bar with a menu from locally sourced farmers markets.
I stayed in this hotel for 3 nights and paid $1500. I found this price very expensive for what the hotel had to offer. Day 1: left at 11 am and came back at 7 pm. My room was not cleaned!!! I have never put the do not disturb sign on the door. The reception said the cleaners have left for the day. They gave me some fresh towels and shampoo. They also gave me 2 breakfasts for free. When I used the breakfast coupon the next day the restaurant said I could not eat what I wanted (omelette). I could just have the American standard breakfast plate and coffee. The restaurant has a cantine looking feel to it. They promised to clean my room the next day. Day 2: I put my “do not suburb sign” from 4 am till 10:30 am. When I went for breakfast I removed it. I left the hotel to go out shopping and came back at 5 pm finding my room not cleaned. AGAIN!!! The reception gave me the same response. I insisted that I needed my room cleaned. They sent someone to give me a fresh towel and changed my bed. As she was leaving the room, I asked her if she is going to clean my room. She said “no”. That her supervisor said she should just make my bed. I insisted that the whole suite must be cleaned. She then cleaned the bathroom and wanted to leave. I insisted that the full suite needs to be cleaned. She then vacuumed the bedroom and emptied the trash. The living room was not cleaned. I gave up at that point. I did an inventory of my suite and the cleaning was not to my standard. Some used tissues were still hanging there. The champagne bucket I used 2 days ago was still there with water and used glasses. I went downstairs at the bar to ask for an empty glass of wine as I had some wine in my room. The server said I should wait to speak to a supervisor. When he came, he proposed to give me a plastic glass and I declined. There were lots of proper wine glasses on my sight and I asked for one. He then gave me one glass and the glass was soooo dirty and cannot believe that Hilton can have a glass on that condition on their bar shelf. So I summary, I spent 3 days in that hotel, paid a lot of money and my room was never cleaned proactively. Not what I expect from a Hilton hotel when I pay $500 per night.
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