Best Luxury Hotels in Santa Monica

It’s a bolthole for those escaping the LA bustle, with blissful beaches, a retro-style pier and a trademark laid-back vibe, Santa Monica is a tonic for the soul. While it has interesting attractions like the Museum of Flying, the Aquarium, Pacific Park and the Hippodrome, taking a relaxed stroll along Third Street and people-watching from a cafe on the boardwalk is hard to beat. The traffic can be intense, so it’s best to hire a bike, roller-blade or walk around town — and if you stay at one of these well-located hotels, you won’t need to get behind the wheel at all.

California, Los Angeles, Santa Monica

The Georgian Hotel

Hotel
(4 stars)
At a glance
Rooms 84 Rooms & 28 Suites
More Located on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica

For more than 90 years, this iconic hotel with its vibrant turquoise exterior on Ocean Avenue has been a crossroads of exceptional art, music, design, and gastronomy. Constructed in 1933, it quickly became a favoured haunt of Old Hollywood luminaries such as Clark Gable and Charlie Chaplin. The renowned design firm, Fettle, has thoughtfully and innovatively revitalised the building, preserving its original Art Deco elements. Its 84 rooms, adorned in subtle yet elegant coastal hues with distinctive Deco features, offer guests breathtaking views of the ocean. The hotel boasts two exquisite dining establishments that delve into Italy’s opulent culinary traditions: The Georgian Room, an Italian steakhouse combined with a cocktail and piano bar known for its intimate ambience, and The Restaurant at The Georgian, managed by Chef David Almany, a beloved spot for brunch that features beautiful sea views.

California, Los Angeles, Santa Monica

Shutters on the Beach

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms 186 Rooms & Suites
Amenities Dining includes Beachfront Coast Restaurant, Living Room & Terrace, onE Spa, 24-hour Fitness Centre, Outdoor Pool with Ocean Views
More Set directly on Santa Monica Beach

Stars who’ve stayed here include Eva Longoria, Fearne Cotton, Julia Roberts, Christian Bale, Jennifer Aniston and Brangelina. Known as Hollywood’s Beach House, it was also used for scenes in the movie Something’s Gotta Give. Inside, there are artworks by the likes of Hockney, balconied bedrooms with four-poster beds and airy, barefoot luxury decor by one of the Obamas’ favourite designers. Outside, the pool faces directly onto the ocean, with a waterside cafe and bar. Guests can take private yoga classes, borrow bikes, book surf lessons, dine, sip cocktails in the Living Room and indulge at ONE spa.

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Shutters on the Beach

California, Los Angeles, Santa Monica

Santa Monica Proper Hotel

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms 267 Rooms & Suites
Amenities Featuring the Rooftop Calabra Restaurant offering Mediterranean & Californian Cuisine with Panoramic Pacific Views, the Surya Spa Providing Ayurvedic Treatments, a Rooftop Pool, a Fitness Centre with an Outdoor Yoga Deck
More Located within walking distance to the Beach

Found on Wilshire Boulevard, this hotel is a short schlep to the beach. The rooftop pool deck (the only one on the Westside) is a feature, along with the Ayurvedic Surya Spa, lush garden terrace and the Balearic outdoor restaurant and bar with its chic cabanas. Earthy tones blend with a Scandi meets mid-century design vibe, that’s accented by creative artworks, murals and indoor palm trees. The Proper Hotel is deeply fashionable, with sushi, oysters, organic juices, biodynamic wines and small-batch mezcals found on the menus. Here you can start the day with a Greek Goddess yoghurt bowl and end it with prime flat iron steak.

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Santa Monica Proper Hotel




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