Where to Stay in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

Good for

• Luxury travelers
• Couples

Couples and travelers who want a landmark oceanfront hotel with direct beach access and a full spa.

Why we like it

• Sits directly on the beach, with many rooms offering ocean views
• Full-service spa and two on-site restaurants overlooking the water
• A short, flat walk to the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade

What to know

• Among the most expensive hotels in the neighborhood, reflecting its beachfront address
• Beachfront rooms can pick up some ambient noise from the boardwalk and beach activity below
• Self-parking is limited; valet is the more practical option and comes at an added cost

Good for

• Beach time
• First-time visitors

First-time visitors who want an oceanfront address within easy walking distance of the pier and Promenade.

Why we like it

• Directly across Ocean Avenue from the beach, with many rooms offering ocean or mountain views
• An easy, flat walk to both the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade
• Rooftop deck with views over the coastline

What to know

• Ocean Avenue traffic and beach activity can be heard from street-facing rooms
• Rooms are comfortable but more compact than at some of the neighborhood's larger resorts

Good for

• Couples
• Architecture lovers

Couples and design-focused travelers who want a distinctive, boutique take on a Santa Monica stay.

Why we like it

• Distinctive interior design carried through the lobby, pool deck, and guest rooms
• A short walk to the Palisades Park bluffs, Third Street Promenade, and the beach below
• Pool deck and restaurant that double as a genuine social scene, not just a hotel amenity

What to know

• Not directly on the beach — expect a short walk down to the sand from the bluff-top location
• The pool deck and bar can get lively in the evening, which is part of the draw for some guests and a downside for others

Good for

• Budget travelers
• Beach time

Budget-conscious travelers who want a Santa Monica base within easy walking distance of the beach and pier.

Why we like it

• A five-minute walk to the beach and Santa Monica Pier
• Simple, no-frills rooms at a noticeably lower price than Santa Monica's resort hotels
• Ocean Avenue location keeps the Third Street Promenade within easy walking distance too

What to know

• Rooms and public spaces are basic compared to the neighborhood's full-service hotels
• Ocean Avenue traffic can be heard from street-facing rooms
• No pool or spa on site