Fodor's Expert Review The Georgian Hotel
1415 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, California 90401, United States See on Map
A true Santa Monica icon, the sky-blue Art Deco gem is a historical landmark that was opened during Prohibition and attracted the rich and famous for under the table drinks and beachside privacy. Today, history-seeking tourists and families looking for an idyllic locale post up for incredible sunsets as well as easy access to the Pier, Third Street Promenade and the beach.
room
The rooms pay only slight homage to its historical roots, but the neutral tones make them feel like any other hotel. Each room comes with stocked Keurig coffeemakers and free Wi-Fi.
Tip: The Georgian offers great packages on their website--book online to find great deals and more.
bathroom
Many of the bathrooms still feature the original blue tile and all include bathtubs. The bathrooms are small, however, and come with Gilchrist & Soames products.
lobby
There’s not much of a lobby to speak of, but off to the side is a small dining area. Currently under construction, there’s a lobby bar in the works and should be opened sometime in 2017.
YOU SHOULD KNOW There’s not a lot to do at this hotel because there aren’t that many amenities. The location can’t be beat, however, so make good use of your surroundings.
gym
A small gym provides guests with bikes, free weights and other standard equipment.
dining
The Veranda restaurant serves brunch and dinner and is the perfect spot to watch the sun set over Santa Monica. The front of the hotel is reserved for Veranda diners who can sip on cocktails, chow down on burgers and people-watch on the ocean’s front porch.
lounge
You can order drinks at the Veranda restaurant--but there’s currently no bar. However, under construction is a lobby bar in addition to the original speakeasy where gangsters like Bugsy Siegel and actors like Clark Gable would come to drink, away from the prying eyes of the law.
LOCATION
Getting Around
Smack dab in the middle of Santa Monica, it’s very easy to walk to dozens of bars, restaurants and attractions. The metro station is close by and gets you access to Hollywood and Universal Studios. If you want to head to Malibu or any of the South Bay beach spots, it’s probably better to rent a car, although taxis and Uber or Lyft rides are all easy to come by in this heavily trafficked area.
Restaurants
The hotel is literally in the middle of Santa Monica so there’s no shortage of food options. Try Sushi Roku (2-minute walk) for Japanese or Water Grill (1-minute walk) for seafood. For casual eats, head up two blocks to the Third Street Promenade.
WHY WE LIKE IT
The hotel is a historical landmark and is as Instagram-worthy as any in Santa Monica. The Art Deco façade harkens back to the 1930s and helps guests remember a time when stars drank illegally next to gangsters. The hotel itself doesn’t offer a ton in terms of things to do or see, but the location is so ideal for any beach-lover that it’s easy to overlook those shortcomings. The rooms are updated and ocean views are stunning. Families and history buffs will love the area as much as the hotel’s famous stories.
QUICK FACTS
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