Fodor's Expert Review Shore Hotel

With views of the Santa Monica Pier, this hotel with a friendly staff offers eco-minded travelers stylish rooms with a modern design, just steps from the sand and sea. It was the first hotel in Santa Monica to receive the prestigious LEED Gold certification for its environmentally friendly design. Giant windows front the property, maximizing the sun's rays and inviting guests to look out onto the expanse of the Pacific below the bluffs. Rooms are awash in beach hues, with aqua throws, sand-color blackout curtains, and rich, wooden furnishings. A see-through rainfall shower occupies a prime location in standard rooms, offering ocean and city views as you wash the sand out of your hair. Perks include champagne upon arrival, Wi-Fi, and beach cruiser use. Additional amenities include a gym, business center, solar-heated pool and hot tub, and a lobby bar.