Oceana
849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, California 90403, USA
Why We Like It
This boutique hotel is ideal for anyone who wants to be near the beach but also away from tourist throngs. The rooms are set up in a way that makes it easy for families or long-term guests and the personalized service guarantees a high level of satisfaction. Privacy is paramount, and reinforced with a guest-only policy at the restaurant and bar. Ultimately, the location is the selling point as you’re close enough to restaurants, bars, and shopping, but far enough to feel the ocean breeze without a bother.
Fodor's Expert Review
Across from the Pacific Ocean, this boutique hotel acts as your personal beach house, and the comforts and service gives guests an incredibly warm west coast welcome. Privacy-seeking persons will love it here as the hotel prides itself on guest relations while also providing first class amenities. Ideal for family vacations or even long-term stays, your personal beach house is a charming oasis any time of the year.
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Room
Room types vary, but kitchenette suites are ideal for families and long-term leisure travelers. Each suite has a kitchen, living room with sofa bed, and balconies with stellar views (if you’re on the correct side). Every room is equipped with a Nespresso machine and a welcome treat of chocolate covered almonds.
Tip You won’t have to ask for it, but make sure you receive your complimentary glass of champagne upon check-in.
Bathroom
Square-tiled floors lead to marble countertops with CO Bigelow bath products. Many rooms feature shower/tub combos while some have separate showers and large soaking tubs.
Lobby
An airy, atrium style lobby is awash in natural light and stares out at the Pacific Ocean. It’s merely a walkthrough for the hotel.
Pool
Three floors of rooms surround the pool Melrose Place style--but you’ll find more kids swimming than Heather Locklear types. There’s full food and beverage service at the large watering hole, and a fireplace for chilly Santa Monica nights.
Gym
A medium-sized gym features Cybex machines and free weights.
You Should Know There’s a $36 resort fee included in your stay. With that, guests receive free Wi-Fi, as well as access to beach cruisers, daily beach yoga in the morning, and complimentary surf lessons.
Dining
Next to the pool is the indoor/outdoor Tower 8--the signature restaurant of the hotel serving Cali cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Unique to the hotel is that the restaurant is for guests only so you’ll never have to wait long for your eggs.
Drinking
Inside Tower 8 is the hotel bar and also for guests only. Sit by the window for sweeping ocean views, or prop up by the pool during the bar’s healthy happy hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Peaceful and serene, this area of Santa Monica is very residential and hence very walkable. But because LA is so spread out, we’d recommend renting a car to get around the city ($45 a night for parking!). However, you can always hail an Uber or Lyft to the Santa Monica metro station, which will give you access to Hollywood, Downtown, and even Universal Studios.
As we said (many times) the hotel is across the street from the ocean and a delightful walking path through Palisades Park. A bit removed from the hubbub of downtown Santa Monica, the hotel is still walking distance to shops, restaurants, bars, and attractions.
Restaurants
Fig (9-minute walk) is a classy Mediterranean restaurant with inventive, and delicious dishes inside the Fairmont Miramar Hotel. Lox lovers should head to Wexler’s Deli (7-minute drive), which is home to the best Nova this side of New York.
Bars
For a fun and beachy nightlife scene, check out The Bungalow (9-minute walk), which is also at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel. If you want something a little more boisterous with a good amount of bluster, head to Ye Olde King’s Head (7-minute drive) for British food and beer.
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Quick Facts
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