Huntley Santa Monica Beach
1111 2nd St., Santa Monica, California 90403, USAWhy We Like It
This minimalist hotel is a chic spot for the young and restless to eat, drink, and play nearly every night of the week. While there’s no pool or spa, the Penthouse more than makes up for shortcomings with fantastic food and a hell of a nightlife scene. Blocks from the beach, shopping, restaurants, and bars, The Huntley is ideally located for a West side vacation. If you want a young scene in a modern, stylish hotel, this will be the spot for you.
Fodor's Expert Review
Sleek and stylish, The Huntley is a Santa Monica hotel that hosts a mix of Silicon Beach entrepreneurs, creative millennials, and socialites looking for a chic nightlife scene. Blocks from the beach, the hotel is in an ideal location for ocean lovers, foodies, bar-hoppers, and shopping fiends. Come for the location, stay for the Penthouse bar and restaurant, and enjoy the serenity of Santa Monica.
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Room
Slick rooms are bathed in whites and grays with leather couches and stunning views (if you book the right room). Chandelier lights hang over carpeted floors and every room includes Nespresso coffeemakers.
You Should Know There’s a $25 amenity fee but that comes with Wi-Fi, bottled water, and access to bike rentals.
Bathroom
Newly renovated bathrooms feature walk-in showers with separate tubs. Bulgari bath products can be found throughout.
Lobby
A minimalist, modern design permeates the lobby with low ottomans, white leather chairs, marble floors, and fish art on the walls. Not a hangout per se, but chic nonetheless.
Gym
The small gym has Life Fitness machines and free weights--enough for a full workout, but slightly claustrophobic if there are more than two people.
Dining
The Penthouse is the raison d'être of the hotel. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the starkly white space has sweeping views, hardwood floors, and serves a contemporary menu of California cuisine. O-Café is the hotel’s grab-and-go spot that’s great for coffee and pastries.
Drinking
Nightlife in Santa Monica is at its best at The Penthouse. Long lines of well-dressed millennials come for DJ-spun tunes and heavy flirting on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Happy hour runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the week. To ensure entry, you might want to eat dinner here on the later side.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
You can walk to everything in Santa Monica, including the metro station (10-minute walk), which can take you to Hollywood, downtown, and Universal City. You don’t need to rent a car here, and Uber or Lyft drivers are everywhere. Ideally located, The Huntley is a block from the ocean, Third Street Promenade, and any number of restaurants, bars, lounges and more. The area is safe, but be aware that Santa Monica does have a sizable homeless population.
Restaurants
For incredible farm-to-table Mediterranean cuisine, check out Fig (3-minute walk) at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel. If you want a great T-bone while looking out over the Pacific, head to Boa Steakhouse (10-minute walk).