Hi,
I will be in the LA area for 9 nights in April with 2 16 year olds. We will spend some time with family, etc. but I am looking for a nice beach front hotel for the last 3 or 4 nights. I am so confused, as even the high priced ones seem to get such mixed (mostly poor) reviews. I will spend the first part of the trip running around, driving several hours each day, etc. and was hoping that the last part could be more relaxing for part of the day, though still doing things for the kids the rest of the day. I thought that Santa Monica might be the right place, but I can't seem to settle on a hotel.
I was hoping to see the ocean and pay under $300. That doesn't look to be doable, but I hesitate to pay more, when I cannot find anything that seems worth it.
Any thoughts/ suggestions please!

I've also been checking out Santa Monica hotels for a Sept. visit. You're right--lots of mixed reviews! I'm a fan of tripadvisor.com and wasn't sure what to do after reading through its reviews. We finally settled on Le Merigot because the $359 per night rate comes with either a Mercedes or BMW rental car. As well, I was pretty impressed when I called the hotel directly (to ask about the rental cars--if they were new models, etc.). The person I talked with was down to earth, friendly and full of information.

I was drawn to Casa del Mar, but the $400+ price tag scared me away--it did look gorgeous, though.

Let us know what you decide--wish I could be more helpful.

We are going to Santa Monica and have reservatons at the Holiday Inn, which is very close to the pier and walking distance to the Third Street Promenade. We also have a couple of teenagers to entertain, so I am hoping this will be a good fit for everyone. The reviews all look pretty good for the rooms, but steet noise maybe a problem. The price was reasonable, under $200 compared to some other hotels.

If anyone has stayed here before, I would love to hear your feedback.

Just returned from Santa Monica- we stayed at the Loews Hotel-great hotel, location,pool-right on the beach-can walk to the pier and 3rd Street Prominade-great little restaurant across the street! The Holiday Inn honestly looked like a dump- we walked by it.....hope this helps! Susan

Hi,
Thanks for the info!
I have been checking travel/hotel sites to see if I could find any discounts for Loews.
They offer a AAA disocunt on their own site, which is the least expensive that I have been able to find. Does anyone know of any other ways to get a less expensive rate?
I realize that we will be traveling over spring break/ Easter week and that discounts might not be available.

Hi,
Any thoughts on getting a cheaper rate?

SM hotels are ridiculously overpriced for what you get...You can basically stay at a 5 star in Beverly Hills for the same price as a 3-4 star in SM. LeMerigot is ok, but to me, it was fairly average 31/2 star hotel. Unfortunately, I guess you pay for being close to the beach.
Between that and Loews, I'd choose whichever had the better deal. Have you checked out priceline?

Hi,
I am nervous to try priceline, as I will have 3 people in the room.
Also, my plans are little up in the air, they may change by a day in either direction.
But thnaks for the thought.

Santa Monica is a popular tourist destination (even in April) and the rates are what the market will bear. The best of the beachfront hotels, Shutters and Casa del Mar, are staggeringly expensive (and, IMHO, they're worth it). Must you stay beachfront? My favorite, the Miramar, is not on the sand, but it's a great hotel (not cheap, just great). The Huntley is good and a good deal, but it's inland three blocks. But hey-- you can always walk to the beach (although it may be a bit cool for the best sun and fun). I like the Georgian a lot, although it's clearly a lovingly-restored Déco-era hotel. I've been taken to task for calling the Shangri-La "shabby", since it has freshened up rooms in the last year or so; it's old and budget-level, but scrupulously clean.

Faye mentioned the Holiday Inn at the SM Pier. It's not a "dump" per se-- it's simply a mid-level, mid-rise Holiday Inn in a less-than-picturesque area. It's half a block off the Pier, and you walk by a seedy-looking McDonald's to get there. But the hotel itself is acceptable.

Have you checked rates at the Best Western Ocean View? It might be just what you need, although again it's far from a luxury property.

The Loews is fine for your needs, although for my tastes it's as anonymous as every other Loews property in the US. Very nice, but anonymous.

Consider the Casa Malibu Inn in nearby Malibu. For my money, Malibu is a little more of a unique experience than Santa Monica. Yeah, in SM you 've basically got a huge mall at your doorstep if that's what you look for in a vacation with teenagers, but Malibu is more of a relaxing
experience in my opinion, kind of a chance to live among the famous for a bit. Several restaurants, shoppes and grocery stores around where you're sure to spot someone famous (16 year olds love this)...and you'll only be a few minutes from Santa Monica.

DOn't mean to confuse you even further, but I hate to see you spend $1200 to be disappointed if you can do better just up the road.

Try the Hotel Oceana - beautiful, small oceanfront near the Promanade

Now I am getting really confused!
I had settled on Loews and I now have other options!
When you say a "few minutes up the road", , I assume taht is driving? My son is living in Los Feliz. Will I be getting furhter or closer away from him? (The main reason that we are here.)
We will be staying the rest of the vacation with family,(In Orange County) so I though that Ocean Front would be a nice "decompressor". Though no, in reality, it is not really a "must".

just re-read my message, sorry for the typos!

We just returned from a weekend stay and I had the same sticker shock with rates in Santa Monica. Be sure to ask about parking costs. Loews was valet only as I recall and about $27/night. We had a good stay for $209 plus $19 parking at the Marriott Marina Del Rey. This is walking distance to Venice Beach, and in fact we walked all the way to the Santa Monica Pier. You can also rent bicycles if you desire. I would not hesitate to stay at the Marriott again; restaurants and coffee shops are also easy walking distance and you are close to LAX without any plane noise if you need to catch a flight out.