Santa Monica is my favorite city in Los Angeles. Yes, because Los Angeles actually covers over 80 cities!
I've stayed at the West Los Angeles waterfront a dozen times and at various boutique hotels scattered along the coast, and here are my thoughts on some of them to help you decide on the best place to stay in Santa Monica.
If you haven't been to Santa Monica before, it has everything you need for a layover in Los Angeles: it's not too far from LAX, and there's shopping on the Third Street Pedestrian Mall (and more shops on the surrounding streets).
Its food is delicious too, it has stunning Pacific sunsets, and if you fancy a cocktail in a swanky bar, preferably with an ocean view, read on My favorite bar is here >
You'll recognize Santa Monica's iconic Pier with its Ferris Wheel and Bubba Gump's restaurant. The end of the Santa Monica Pier is the official end of Route 66 (for Forrest Gump fans). There are lots of fun activities, bike rentals and tourist shops along the way, all the way over the wide sandy beach and into the sea.
Actually this is a must do: take a stroll along the pier or even rent a bike or walk to the beach and take a 2 km stroll along Muscle Beach with all the muscular bodies showing off their stuff to Venice Beach, or Get a self-driving Waymo The car went a little further.
if you only have Santa Monica 1 dayI have a great little itinerary on my new website One day trip to the United States.
this is the best Santa Monica hotels I’ve stayed at and liked:
Georgian Hotel
This historic Santa Monica hotel is located on Ocean Avenue, just steps from the shops. This is one of the closest hotels to downtown Santa Monica and offers views of the beach, pier, and stunning sunsets.
But step inside and the Art Deco-style décor will make fans of the 1930s widen their sparkling eyes and spin in circles.
We stayed here for a few nights on our honeymoon and thoroughly enjoyed having breakfast or a glass of wine on the roadside balcony. A great spot for people watching – when we weren’t staring into each other’s eyes!
Regency Santa Monica Beach Hotel
Formerly the Loews, a multi-million dollar transformation ensures this waterfront beauty will last for many years to come. I stayed here a few years ago and the view hasn't changed, overlooking Muscle Beach to the Santa Monica Pier.
But one day I popped in to check out the new lobby space and dining options. The fresh flowers that greet you at the door set the tone for elegance throughout the ground floor reception space.
There is a cafe out front called “Sweet July” which serves pastries and baked goods when you need a quick bite to go with your coffee. But I walked into Orla, a restaurant on several floors with floor-to-ceiling windows offering such a view. It was breakfast time so I ordered a bagel with smoked salmon and a latte. It was so generous, it blew my mind!
The pool cabana is only for in-house guests, but I snuck in and took a photo for you!
Santa Monica Pier District
Formerly known as the Holiday Inn, the Pierside Hotel is a striking hotel gem. It's located directly across from the Santa Monica Pier and has the most amazing six-story mural painted on the west side.
The Surfing Fox, the ground floor lobby restaurant and bar, is the perfect place to enjoy a drink on the outdoor street-facing terrace, in the central bar or seated. They also serve amazing lobster rolls and fries!
There is a small pool tucked into the wall next to the highway. However, it's a lovely place to take a break from the LA heat. The room was spacious and the bed was super comfortable, but what said hello to me was the shower. It's a huge walk-in tiled shower with a bench and a rainforest or wall shower head. It's like a spa!
Instead of providing an iron and ironing board, they thoughtfully added an ironing machine for those with delicate clothes and wrinkled luggage. You're across the street from Santa Monica Place for shopping and rooftop dining, and just two blocks from the Third Street Promenade for even more shopping.
Blinds on the beach
If you're looking for a great hotel in Santa Monica Beach, look no further than Shutters on the Beach!
The beach is literally right outside the front door, and because the hotel is U-shaped, most rooms have views across the pool, as well as unobstructed views of Santa Monica Beach and Pier (about 200m away).
It was designed just like I imagined a Cape Cod vacation home would be. There are wooden blinds on the windows (a nice touch), white wooden furniture in the room, comfy chairs and a bed so high you might need a stool from the closet to climb in (that's what I did!), and a bathroom leading to the bedroom for romantic moments. Take a shower and watch the scenery!
You're also within easy walking distance of the shopping and entertainment options of the Third Street Promenade.
Coast Hotel
This hotel is located on Ocean Drive, with only one road between you and the cliff tops above Santa Monica Beach.
It’s all glass and has a sleek design. Very stylish, with a swimming pool out front, but it's hidden behind discrete frosted glass from the road. It also lights up blue at night.
This hotel's location is perfect for shopping as you are right around the corner from Nordstrom and just two blocks from the Third Street Promenade and its pedestrian shopping strip.
this place to eat This is Mexican Blue Plate Tacos, right down the street in front of the hotel. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a margarita and a bowl of nachos while people-watching.
Governor of Santa Monica
A former office building from the 1960s, blocked from the road by tall hedges that seem to want to hide the box hotel behind, it's the most unassuming building in town.
The Viceroy looks boring, but step into the Kelly Wearstler-designed lobby, where shabby-chic antique mirrors line the wall behind the reception desk, guiding your eye past the pool and cabanas, and you'll be in awe of this boutique hotel.
Even if you're not staying here, you can come by the pool for a drink or make a dinner reservation. If you stay here, you'll love the extra touches and stunning views in your room.
It's a little further from 3rd Street shopping than other hotels, but a quick walk takes care of it all!
Fairmont Miramar
The 100-year-old fig tree is said to have been planted in lieu of paying for a hotel room, behind the elegant Fairmont Hotel.
There are two distinct accommodation options here: the Garden Villas (which you reach through the lobby and on foot around the pool and gardens) and the hotel suites in the main building. I have stayed in both places and they feel very luxurious.
The former boardroom located in the Bungalow (on the left in my photo) has been transformed into one of the most popular pubs in town, The Bungalow. See my post My favorite bar in Santa Monica.
Garden of Eden
I stayed at the former Shangri-La, an art deco hotel (actually a Streamline Moderne) that had recently been taken over and renamed by the Eden. Painted a dazzling white, it sits enviably on the corner of Ocean Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, giving it the feel of an ocean liner when viewed from the street.
The hotel's original 1939 features have been carefully restored inside, and the rooms offer stunning sea views.
The rooftop bar is undergoing a complete renovation and will open in late summer 2025. Stay tuned.
read my top Best Bar Picks in Santa Monica There are several of these hotels and some great bars with views, fireplaces, craft beers…
If you have time, take one of these quick road trips from this list 12 Great Day Trips from Los Angeles!
