This hotel's prices are too good to be true. I am wondering why?

I haven't stayed there, but I've driven by more than a few times in my lifetime. It doesn't look like a complete dump, and tripadvisor.com user comments have been good. I think a couple of things are holding down its price:

-- Location: You may have ocean views, but you're about a quarter-mile from the beach;

-- Age and décor: The place dates from over 90 years ago, but judging from its website hasn't seen a renovation or redecoration since the 1980s.

I'm sure it's fine. I'd personally save up the sheckels to stay at the Beach House instead-- a much better-located property. But that's me.

Haven't stayed there. We live in Manhattan Beach "next door."

The location of Hotel Hermosa is less than desirable. It's located at a very busy intersection, so noise is definitely a factor. Within reasonable walking distance is a nice El Torito but otherwise it's an area of strip malls (Kinko's, pizza, supermarket, etc.).

I don't know what rate you're contemplating, but I'd explore other options in the area. There are numerous chain properties in Manhattan and El Segundo. They are also located on busy streets (with a few exceptions) but are much newer in construction and decor.

Thanks for the quick response! I was offered a "loft suite" with a "beautiful ocean view" for $149 & I couldn't believe it, after being quoted $250 on up at the Beach House. Keep hoping I'll find a better price there, but so far no luck on Orbitz or Lodging.com

I have booked a standard room (no ocean view) for $224 a night. Adding on 10% tax & $20 a day parking, it is a splurge for us. Just hope we're not disappointed with no ocean view.

Sorry, to clarify - I just booked a standard room at the Beach House. If anyone has stayed in one of these rooms with no ocean view, would appreciate your comments.

The Beach House and the Hotel Hermosa shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence! You really can't compare the two.

Besides the aforementioned loud & busy location, the HH is more on par with a Holiday Inn.

I think you made the right choice, even without the ocean view. You'll be so close to the beach. You can leave your car in their structure and walk to any number of fun places from the BH.

Let us know if you need any specific restaurant recommendations for HB & surroundings.

The Beach House location is great. Just understand that no beach view means a pretty crap view (possibly of a parking structure). However, you can walk out 10 feet and see plenty of beach. It really is a much better location, and very convenient to going out to many of the local restaurants. You can literally stumble back to your hotel.

20 dollars a day parking seems steep. I wonder what time the parking structure next door closes? Most evenings, unlimited parking is $6. I wonder if that structure has a cheaper daily rate. Although it can get crowded there at times, and there are no in and out priviledges, so there might be the key for you.

Anyway, have a great time!

I don't want to confuse your planning, but you might consider the Sea View Inn in Manhattan Beach. www.seaview-inn.com.

The Beach House in Hermosa is very nice, but, as Crazymina points out, if it's not an ocean view, it's a nothing view. At that rate ($224) plus parking but no view, it really is a splurge. But there is a lot of action (day and night) just a few steps away.

If you're more interested in a relaxing stay at the beach and less into clubs and bars, the Sea View Inn might be more to your liking. Parking and bicycles are free, and there's a pool. The inn is two blocks to the beach. There are restaurants and a few shops very nearby.

We have stayed at the Beach House a couple of times and love it.I don't know when you are going, but both times we went they offered a special(a 2 nt. stay oceanview for $225/nt.) I would call and ask them about any specials.Also, last year the special did not appear until 1 month prior to our stay, so keep trying.On beach-house.com click on specials every once and a while and check.
You'll love the Beach House.A good continental breakfast is included in the price.To save money on parking, there is a parking garage very close(the same one that they use to valet park your car.) You may be able to save money by self-parking.

Thanks everyone! Will check out the next door parking. Any suggestions on restaurants would be great. No sushi, Chinese okay, love Mexican, casual dress attire please.

Italian - Bottle Inn (walking distance from the Hotel) Also Italy's Little Kitchen on the corner of Pier and Hermosa is OK...it is also a chain. In Manhattan Beach, Mangiamo is better, and Mama D's is very very popular for downhome, simple, affordable Italian food.

Mexican - El Sombrero...the next beach over in Manhattan, on Manhattan Ave. Cheap cab ride. Hole in the wall, try the wet chicken or regular burrito. Really huge, and pretty darn good. There is also a Mexican Restaurant in the square on Pier Ave, called the Cantina, I believe. I have never eaten there though (I head to El Sombrero if I want Mexican.)

Happy Hour at Sharkeez. Now, I personally can't stand the meat market ambience of the place, but they have two for one beers at Happy Hour...and that includes the good stuff.

If you like Tapas, Mediterraneo is fairly new (also in the pedestrian square). This is pretty close to "real" tapas in that the little plates are actually LITTLE plates with little foods. Nice if you aren't hungry and want a tiny bite to eat with some wine. For larger portions of spanish food, across the way is Sangria. Affordable, and decent.

The nice thing about Hermosa (and Manhattan, where I prefer the restaurants) is that since it isn't a monster tourist area, the restaurants in the well trafficked areas actually have decent food. They have to if they want to draw the local residents there. I really don't think there are too many horrid ripoffs in the area.

Oh, if you like blues/jazz, Cafe Boogaloo has live music wed-sat nights (cover charge is on weekends), and has so-so cajun style food. Another cajun restaurant "rajun cajun" (if I spelled that right) is up the street. I remember it being ok too.

The is apparently a french restaurant on Pier that is supposedly good too, but I've only been told about it. Sorry, the name escapes me on that one.

Hope that helps.

btw, I'd be very interested in seeing what the other local fodorites like. I'm always looking for new eats around here!

Questions for you Crazymia...Do Sushi Sei, Hennessey's, The Lighthouse and Lapertt's ice cream (yummm) still exist right on Pier in Hermosa? Also the best burgers around used to be at Fat Face Fenner's Falloon (FFFFs). Any of that still around? Tony's on the Redondo Pier always had better than average seafood with a great view. I've heard Lomelli's is gone (sigh)...there was a really cheap hole in the wall good mexican restaurant also on PCH about a block away...had a woman's name I think...

Yes, I was just at Sushi Sei last week. Hennessey's is still there, as I believe is Lighthouse. Lapertt's, which I have never been to, believe it or not (I just know there is an ice cream place in the square, and I assume that's it), I think was closed for renovations not too long ago, but may be open again. The burger place I'm not familar with...where is it located? Tony's is still there, and I think it's good value, because the quantity of food you get is massive. We used to go there for the MaiTai's and sit in the bar upstairs. The Mexican restaurant, I'm not familar with either.

Food's not too bad in this little corner of our world, eh?

I lived in Hermosa from 1988 to 1992 while single and in my twenties and wouldn't have traded this experience for anything. Did meet my husband at Cassidy's in MB (which I hear is no longer there). Lappertt's is the Hawaiian ice cream - very creamy and good. FFFF's was down Hermosa Ave closer to 4th or 5th. Great, great burgers and fries...Does Good Stuff still exist right on the strand? THere was a mexican place that opened in Redondo called Riviera Grill I think with the most awesome mangoritas...and kind of across the street from that was Louisa's - casual italian. We used to go for great steaks at the Seafarer also in MB right on PCH...a real hole in the wall with fishing nets on the walls and all the waitresses were at least 70 and called you "hon". The food was good though and all locals!

Yup, I remember you saying that in another post that you lived here for awhile. I recently went to the Riviera Grill for the first time...not bad at all! Good Stuff is still here in Hermosa. I used to stop by for breakfasts when I was training for the marathon. Nothing like running for miles and then collapsing into a restaurant off the strand for some decent eats!

Hermosa is still a great place to live if you're single and in your twenties. Unfortunately, it's even more expensive now!

The Lighthouse used to showcase some great local music for a really minimal cover (actually I think if you got there before 9 there was none). Does the movie theatre still exist? They were always good for indie films and the animation/claymation film festival. Also, is the art festival still there over Memorial day weekend? I still have the lamp and bracelet I got there. And what's the name of the bookstore as you wind up pier? Great place....ahhh the memories. What really blows my mind is when I was there and played beach volleyball, the AVP tourney was very casual; you'd bring your sand chair to the beach and watch the matches...no bleachers... no big deal. Now, it's televised nationally and it's really built up...I kinda liked it when it was a local secret and unspoiled...does it still feel that way?

Most of the places in Hermosa don't charge cover if you get there early and dine. However Hermosa has probably changed a bit since you've lived here. Now on weekends, the pedestrian area (which you used to be able to drive into years ago) is PACKED with people (most from not around here) wanting to get into all the restaurants turned "clubs". Quite frankly, the Hermosa weekend scene down on Pier is not my thing. Way too crowded and way too young. And I'm only 31!

I believe the movie theater is gone, but don't remember for sure. The fair still happens on memorial weekend (and labor day weekend, I think). For the most part, most of the festivities down in this area still feel pretty local, and pretty unspoiled. Where do you live now?

We stayed two nights at Hotel Hermosa while our house in MB was being tented for termites. We stayed in a loft suite with a fantastic view of the ocean and Palos Verdes Hills. There was no traffic noise on the inside of the hotel where the view rooms are, but I can see if you have a cheap room facing Pacific Coast Hwy, it would be less than desirable. This was about 4 years ago, so don't know about the interior now, but we were happy then with our stay.