emd

Has anyone here stayed at the Sheraton Delfina in Santa Monica since it was renovated and changed from Four Points to Sheraton in the last year?

I have been staying at the Huntley in Santa Monica on business a few times in last few weeks and like it (much better location than Sheraton; close to the Promenade and a great area for walking). But I got a promo from Starwood for triple points (to lure me back) and I am tempted to try this Sheraton for an upcoming 8 night stay. For a stay that long I thought I'd better ask here about it. I am thinking I'd get a deluxe oceanview room (the ones w/the big balconies and furniture on the balcony). I am familiar w/the location and know it is not the best. I've read tripadvisor. Just want your experience and info on any quirks about the rooms or service that you experienced (quirks are important for such a long stay).

Thanks in advance.

emd

ttt

milemarker0

Stayed there for a friend's wedding back in September. It was fine, the lobby and pool area were adequate, done in a sort of minimalist way...I think we got the room on Priceline for real cheap, our room overlooked the highschool, but we could have upgraded to the nicer rooms, but didn't bother.

We didn't mind the location, we don't mind walking so we were able to walk to alot of places and their garage was free...would definitely stay there again.

emd

I decided to stay at the Sheraton. Been here 9 days. I really really like it. Will post more on it here soon for benefit of others who might be considering staying there in the future.

bettyo70

emd: We are thinking of staying at the Delfina in a few weeks.

Could you or others comment on the location? Is it true it's in a noisy, not-so-nice area of Santa Monica with many homeless and few good selections for dining?

Also, I definitely want an ocean view room so wondering if they honor room requests.

Thanks!

emd

betty: If you need a king bed and can get rm. 930, it is the best oceanview rm in the hotel. It is a king rm. high up on 9th floor, great view of ocean over the rooftop of Casa Del Mar oceanfront hotel, and has a great separate sitting area w/separate TV, Bose stereo, and a double wide balcony (goes across the entire suite) that is very deep and probably woudl hold 15 people. It is a great room, but you have to call the htoel to get it. I ahve stayed only in that rm and in 932 (which is like 930 but not as big; and it is an ADA room so has no tub, just roll-in shower, not as nice and big as 930).

Do not let them give you a rm. on the Pico rd. side of the hotel. Those are the rms that can be noisy as they front a busy rd and are across the st from the high school. Get a room on the side of the hotel facing the ocean, and get it high up if possible for better view. There is nothing in front of you to block your view on the higher floors.

I like the location, as I like to walk down to main street and there is a lot of shopping and dining there. How did you get the idea that there is no dining on Main St., 3 blocks from the hotel? Search for restaurant on Main and you'll see. There are many many restaurants there. Some people don't like the location as it is 4 blocks back from the beach. I know enough about Santa Monica and have stayed there so much over the last 10 yrs that I know that the area is safe and I have no problems walking to Main St. from the hotel. I have seen no homeless people on the walk from Sheraton to Main, and I have stayed at the Sheraton Delfina for total of 26 days since I posted the above post in Feb. Once you get on Main you may see a few homeless persons, but they aren't going to bother you. Actually, there are many many more homeless people on the 3rd St Promenade and around the hotels on that side of I10.

Parking is free at Sheraton; other hotels charge up to $35 a day in Santa Monica for parking. The pool is very very small and has no special features.

There is no life in the hotel at night. Restaurant is not desireable (the two times I ate in there I was completely alone), but room service is pretty good. You will want to go out for dinner. Lobby bar is ok for a quick drink but there are many other places to go drink and eat on Main St. or a short can ride over I 10 to the Promenade area.

milemarker0

I wouldn't say it's in a "not so nice area" of Santa Monica....it's across the street from the High School, so there is some noise, traffic etc. on school days, but nothing too bad....didn't see any homeless people.

There was some construcion going on down the street but not too loud, and we walked down to the beach and the rest of Santa Monica.

It's certainly not Shutters or any of the Beachfront Resorts, but would stay there again without hesitation.

bettyo70

emd and milemarker: Thanks so much! Gosh...bot of you are so quick in responding!!

emd: I really appreciate your specific room recommendations. I'll do my best to get those rooms.

By the way, in terms of places to eat around there that are not too touristy...Is "Fishhouse" still around and still good? I remember one Fodorite mentioning how it was by the water and great for seafood.

I would love to hear about these quirky little places to eat and shop around SM.

Cheers,
Betty

emd

Just walk down Main St. (turn left when you get to Main) and you'll find the shopping and restaurants. And then go over to the Promenade.

One Pico in Shutters is one of the consistently nicest and best places to eat dinner in SM, IMO. When an important work colleague and good freind had his birthday in March, that is where I chose to take him, and I could have taken him anywhere in SM or LA. I also like Jiraffe but the service can be slow when it is busy, so go when you have time.

I have stayed at Shutters many times and I can't stand it any more. The rooms are run down. Casa Del Mar is nicer, IMO. And the restaurant in Casa Del Mar is also good. You can try to get reservations now for Chinois on Main but it is hard to get in there. I also like Akwa for Asian style seafood. http://www.akwarestaurant.com/

I've never heard of Fishhouse in SM. There is a seafood place on the Ocean Ave. that is always packed, Ocean Ave. Seafood.

emd

see: http://mainstreetsm.com/main.walk.html

FYI, re dining, Rockenwagner's recently closed after many yrs. unfortunately.

emd

Note that there is a map with 39 restaurants on Main st. that you can print from that site! 39!

bettyo70

Will do!