I used to live in Santa Monica for many years, and then last yr when visiting stayed at the Pacific Shores because it was the most convenient location and midprice. I basically agree with first post; it's ok but nothing exciting, but perfectly decent. I don't remember it being too shabby (well, I guess it was a little), but mainly very dark--I wasn't there much in daytime but had a big double window/door thing that looked west to ocean (which you can't much see due to that real expensive hotel blocking the view, Shutters I think) so there was light, but the decorating scheme was kind of dark and heavy, as I recall, sort of oldfashioned, and in Calif. you sort of expect something light and airy. It does have a decent restaurant on the first floor, which can be convenient. Most of the better hotels are much more expensive (Loews, Miramar Sheraton, Doubletree, etc.) There are a couple Holiday Inns but they have worse locations than the Pacific Shores (both of them do); they're both old so may not be any better, anyway. There are also various Best Western, Comfort& Days Inn and other motel type places you will find listed, several on Ocean Ave, but they are not as nice as PAcific Shores. There are a couple other midprice choices, however, that are alternatives to Pac. Shores: the Shangri-La on Ocean Ave., the Radisson-Huntley on 2nd ave (
www.radisson.com/santamonicaca/ and the Georgian Hotel (
www.georgianhotel.com) on Ocean Ave, also, I think. The Georgian is very nice, maybe a little higher grade than others, but you can get rooms between $140-175, I think, which is about same as Pac Shores, if you don't insist on ocean view. Shangri-la may be a little worn in places, but it's historic, has character, is art deco style and has a prime location on Ocean Ave. The Huntley House is across 2nd ave from Miramar and was always popular with airline personnel, I think--it's main claim to fame was this great bar on top floor with a to-die-for ocean view, dynamite at sunset. Pretty good margaritas. They also have a Mexican restaurant up there; the view is outstanding but the only time I ate a regular meal there, it was pretty bad, unfortunately (you wouldn't think you could ruin Mexican food that much in LA, but they managed). However, they do have a great free hors d'oeuvres thing during happy hour with decent stuff (not sure if that's every night or just Fridays). Anyway, if you want bar/restaurant in-house they are a good choice. Shangri-La doesn't have inhouse restaurant but you don't need it with everything around there. So, my next visit, I'm choosing Shangri-la or Georgian over Pacific Shores. You can do some booking and/or checking of these hotels on
www.hotelinfoplus.com and
www.californiares.com