Part 3 of our Los Angeles Top Suites Tour brings us to Santa Monica, the beach city of the City of Angeles (for more, see our coverage of Hollywood and Downtown L.A.). Its growing number of top suites is the feature of this week’s feature story.
1. Casa Del Mar
2. Shutters on the Beach
3. Regent Santa Monica Beach
4. Fairmont Miramar Hotel
5. Oceana Santa Monica
6. Santa Monica Proper Hotel
7. The Georgian
8. Viceroy Santa Monica
1. Casa Del Mar
Forbes Travel Guide writes, “The red-brick Casa del Mar sits right on the sand in the heart of the Southern California seaside community of Santa Monica. Originally built and opened in 1926 as Club Casa Del Mar as one of the West Coast’s most exclusive beach clubs, Casa del Mar was revived to its 1920s glory after a $50 million renovation and restoration in 1999 and once again offers the best of the best to California’s elite. Mosaic tile work, soft colors and rich woods reflect the historic beach club setting, and the eight-story property features a red-tile roof, wrought-iron balconies and sculptures throughout. There’s also three restaurants and bars, a beach concierge who can arrange for boogie boards or surfboards, a spa and an outdoor pool and hot tub overlooking the waves.”
Penthouse Suites
The trio of 1,500 sq. ft. duplex Penthouse Suites are located on the top floor of the hotel.
More suites at Casa Del Mar.
2. Shutters on the Beach
The Telegraph reports, “Location is everything for Shutters, a Cape Cod-inspired beachfront hotel that’s literally steps from the sand and the waves. Instead of relying on ocean views and proximity to the water, the property’s impeccable five-star service and East Coast charm burnished its reputation as one of Santa Monica’s legendary hotels.”
Pacific View Suites
The 1,100 sq. ft. Pacific View Suites are located on the 7th floor of the Ocean House building. The suites have a residential feel with hardwood floors, built-in entertainment center, and handcrafted California King size bed. Each suite has multiple balconies, and a fireplace.
More suites at Shutters on the Beach.
3. Regent Santa Monica Beach
Conde Nast Traveler says, “Situated on Ocean Avenue and perched over the bustling beach, a seashell’s throw from the Santa Monica Pier, the location is as coveted as you can get in Santa Monica. The just-opened property will surely become a go-to for locals looking for a new spot for business lunches, sunset cocktails, and meetings in the airy living-room-esque lobby, as well as for out-of-towners looking for an upscale property with easy access to both Westside’s urban offerings and the beach.”
Santa Monica Suite
The 3,200 sq. ft. Santa Monica Suite features unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean, separate living, dining, game room, and fire pit balcony along with soaking tub, rain shower, dual vanity, walk-in closet, and refreshment center.
More suites at Regent Santa Monica Beach.
4. Fairmont Miramar Hotel
The Telegraph says, “Decorative, wrought-iron gates stand at the sweeping driveway that leads you into this sprawling, 300-room compound. A huge oak tree stands out front – beyond that a mix of palms, tropical flowers and koi ponds deliver a high-end resort feel, as if a country estate had been transported to the oceanfront. The buildings are imposing, the most modern of them being the gleaming white of Ocean Tower. Behind that, there’s more of a 1920s feel to the Palisades Building and the private bungalows are peppered throughout the landscaped garden out back.”
Bungalow One Suite
The 2,500 sq. ft. Bungalow One Suite is an indoor/outdoor hideaway with three bedrooms spanning 2,500 sq ft.
More suites at Fairmont Miramar Hotel.
5. Oceana Santa Monica
Conde Nast Traveler writes, “Snuck in among the posh apartment buildings on the north end of Santa Monica’s beachfront boulevard, the revamped Oceana looks and feels more like a home. This palm-shaded complex—set around a heart-shaped pool—is an unassuming 70-room seaside retreat that attracts a mix of couples, families, and showbiz execs. Stuffed with brightly colored sofas and offbeat artwork, no two rooms are exactly alike, and most are fairly roomy. While all the usual mod cons are there, someone has also taken the time to outfit each room with books that one might actually pick up. Guests can relax alfresco around a fireplace beside the pool or in an Ocean Lounge that does triple duty as library, restaurant (the menu is a blend of traditional steak and lobster, and New Age bites like jalapeno tuna tartar), and bar (whose trademark milk shakes are infused with vodka or rum). But Oceana’s trump card is location: Palisades Park and the beach are across the street; Santa Monica Pier and the shop filled Third Street Promenade are within walking distance.”
Presidential Beach House
The 3,500 sq. ft. suite features your own private foyer and prime top floor location with two individual bedroom suites.
More suites at Oceana Santa Monica.
6. Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Michelin Guide writes, “What results is a hotel that’s more contemporary than vintage, even if its history does show through — it’s got the romance of the Twenties but the forms and materials of a modern luxury boutique hotel. The rooms feature works by Los Angeles artists, and the full-length windows reveal uncommon views of Santa Monica’s rooftops.”
Proper Three Bedroom Suite
The 2,260 sq. ft. suite offers sunset-facing views of Santa Monica. It includes on King Suite, one King Standard room, and a room with two Queen beds, four bathrooms (with travertine walk-in showers and free-standing soaking tubs), and a living space (with a dining table to host six guests).
More suites at Santa Monica Proper Hotel.
7. The Georgian
Conde Nast Traveler reports, “This iconic, sky-blue Art Deco hotel along beach-adjacent Ocean Avenue has been returned to its former grandeur thanks to an overhaul by BLVD Hospitality (the group also behind Downtown LA’s Soho Warehouse and Hoxton Hotel). After nearly a century—the last half of which was a steady decline—the 1930s property is, once again, a design lover’s paradise, with a mix of Art Deco and Old Havana decor, a heavy dose of jet-set photography, and a dash of Wes Anderson (including the bellhop dressed in a vintage-style, powder blue uniform). You’ll feel the retro-luxe-meets-whimsical vibes as soon as you step into the opulent lobby, with its original arched ceilings and curved staircase intact, drenched in colorful velvet furnishings—plus fun relics like rotary phones and manual typewriters—all centered around a horseshoe bar of imported jade green quartzite that attracts both travelers and locals with Italian-inspired cocktails. Rooms are equally stylish and cheeky, with art-covered walls, gold finishes, and curvy custom-made headboards.”
The First Lady Suite
Overlooking Ocean Avenue, the Santa Monica Pier, and the entire Santa Monica Bay, the First Lady Two Bedroom Suite offers 1,500 sq. ft of living space with sunrise and sunset views.
More suites at The Georgian.
8. Viceroy Santa Monica
The Telegraph says, “British colonial style meets the Hamptons. The design, by Kelly Wearstler, hails from the same era as the Morgans Group – think lots of gilded mirrors and oversized furniture – but the white leather and pops of color (grass green and buttercup yellow) work in the breezy seaside location. The 1920s-style pool scene is particularly striking, with black and white striped cabanas filled with shield-like mirrors. Dine out here at night under twinkling festoon lights, when it feels more Beverly Hills than Santa Monica.”
Royal Suite
The 780 sq. ft Royal Suite features a separate bedroom and living room with Pacific Ocean views.
More suites at Viceroy Santa Monica.