Would someone let me know about the difference between the Georgian vs the Shangri-La in Santa Monica. We will be there for 5 nights and would like to have the better of the two hotels since their rates are comparable. Also would like to know names of good restaurants in Santa Monica.

Can't comment on the Georgian, but have stayed at the Shangri-La. In my opinion it was old and dingy. The lobby is interesting, and it's clean, but I really didn't like it. I looked up the Georgian, and it looks like its location would be nicer for shops and restaurants, but someone else familiar would know better.

That's just my opinion, I'm sure some people like the Shangri-La type hotel (refering to its art-deco style and age), but I would stay somewhere next time if I visited Santa Monica again.

My wife and I have stayed at the Hotel Oceana, several times. IT is a great hotel...roomy and very California...it is a little more expensive than the others...but well worth it ,,for a splurge.
http://www.hoteloceana.com/

Don't know your budget. On the high end, try Shutters.

We just got back from Santa Monica and stayed at the Radison Huntley. I believe it compariable in price to what your looking for. Would not stay at the Shangri-La. Georgian looked a little nicer. Also the hotel(cant remember the name),across the street from the radison is nice.I believe its a Sheridan..Is also nicer than the above.

If you can afford to splurge, definitely do Shutters. Very luxe, yet cozy. If you decide elsewhere, visit Shutters for a drink in their great lobby or on their deck w/ views of the ocean. If visiting Santa Monica before Dec. 19 (?) be sure to see Cirque du Soleil's fabulous new performance "Dralion" which is held next to the Santa Monica Pier. You can view the website and order tix thru www.cirquedusoleil.com

Enjoy!

I used to live in Santa Monica so kind of have outsider information as I haven't really stayed in either. They are only a few blocks apart so locations are equally convenient and both are right on Ocean Ave. I think the Georgian can be a little more renovated and "nicer", I've also heard the Shangrila can be a little "shabby" (although not a dump, for sure, and I think rooms can vary in quality). If rates were really identical, I'd probably pick the Georgian as a better bet. Other recommendations made on here seem irrelevant to your query -- Shutters is one of the most expensive hotels in Santa Monica, for example; the Oceana is also extremely expensive. The Huntley is not as convenient a location (although still only a few blocks from Ocean Ave) and I would not consider it preferable in style or anything else to the ones you've asked about; the hotel across the street from it is the more luxury Miramar Sheraton (Sheridan!!??) and is certainly nice but more expensive than the ones you are asking about.

Just got back from Santa Monica and stayed at Hotel California on Ocean Blvd. just near the Pier. Small hotel, very nice, back stairs lead on to the beach. We had a suite with kitchenette etc. and a sun deck.