15 Best Hotels in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

A quaint surprise in Southern California, the Channel Road Inn is every bit the country retreat bed-and-breakfast lovers adore, with four-poster beds, fluffy duvets, and a cozy living room with a fireplace. Rooms are fresh and feminine; each has a private bath (and a few have hot tubs). A sumptuous home-cooked breakfast for two is included (which you can enjoy downstairs or in your room), as well as a wine-and-cheese hour every afternoon and home-baked cookies. Walk a block to the beach, or borrow a bicycle to pedal the 2 miles to the Santa Monica Pier. Unwind in the rose garden, in the Garden Spa Sanctuary (a delightful tiny cottage in the garden), or in one of the landscaped nooks scattered throughout the property. There's one dog-friendly room.

In the 1920s, it was a posh beach club catering to the city's elite; now the Casa del Mar is one of SoCal's most luxurious beachfront hotels. One of only two hotels in the area that's truly on the sand, this historic property boasts a heavenly lobby, three extravagant two-story penthouses, a raised deck and ocean-view pool, an indulgent spa, and an elegant ballroom. Popular with celebrities and foreign dignitaries, the pet-friendly property houses guest rooms designed to evoke a Mediterranean estate with transitional coastal furnishings. They're filled with contemporary tech amenities like lighting control panels, an indulgent minibar, and supremely comfortable beds with sumptuous white and blue Italian-designed linens. Bathrooms are gorgeous, with Italian marble, massage tubs, and glass-enclosed showers, as well as luxe Diptyque toiletries and a "beauty chest" filled with goodies available for purchase, like face masks, frangipani spray, and even chargers. Sea-hued, breezy Terrazza delights locals and tourists with beachfront dining; impeccable yet understated service; fine cuisine; and more than 100 bottles of wine on the menu. Want something more casual? Enjoy light bites and cocktails in the clubby lounge, with live local music on most nights, or stretch out in the beachfront al-fresco bistro, Patio del Mar, while you enjoy an Aperol spritz and oysters. A $55 daily resort fee includes a welcome drink, bike rentals, house car use, EV charging, a daily yoga class, and more. 

The closest hotel to the Santa Monica Pier (it's just across PCH, with easy pedestrian bridge access), the breezy, surf-inspired Pierside is the epitome of Southern California cool. It's all about the beach here, from the stylish coastal-inspired lobby, the sun-filled spaces, guest rooms with that soothing, natural, coastal-California palette and materials and floor-to-ceiling windows framing views of the Pacific Ocean or Santa Monica skyline, and complimentary use of a wide range of fun gear, like surfboards, bikes, and GoPros (as well as video game consoles). The indoor-outdoor Surfing Fox restaurant serves up locally-sourced Coastal California cuisine and creative cocktails and beckons locals and visitors to linger and bask in views of the pier. Don't miss the huge Shepard Fairey mural on the oceanside front of the building; the second largest in the Los Angeles region, it's a stylistic ode to Santa Monica. Dogs are not only welcome here; they're treated like royalty.

Set right on the sand, this Cape Cod--inspired inn has become synonymous with staycations, with the beachfront location and show-house decor making it one of SoCal's most popular luxury hotels. There are three dreamy dining and entertaining options: The flagship 1 Pico restaurant has launched a refreshed menu under Chef Sean Runyon; come for the blue fin toro steak and stay for the salted caramel popcorn sundae. Prefer something more casual? The Living Room has couches, live entertainment, and spectacular sunset views. Or you can dine beachside at Coast and watch the world go by. The cozy lobby evokes a New England getaway, with a fireplace and tall windows opening out to the Pacific Ocean. Guest rooms have those namesake shutter doors, pillow-top mattresses, small balconies, and built-in cabinets filled with art books and curios. Bathrooms are luxe, each with a deep whirlpool tub, a raft of bath goodies, and a three-nozzle, glass-walled shower. But if you want a more immersive experience, there's also the ONE spa and fitness center. Check out the picture-perfect cabanas in the ocean-view pool area. A $55 daily resort fee includes a welcome drink, daily yoga on the beach, bicycle rentals, a beach concierge, a house car, and more.

Tranquility pervades the airy, California Craftsman–style, four-story Ambrose, which blends right into its mostly residential Santa Monica neighborhood. Expect crisp linens, high ceilings, and sea-themed hues in cozy rooms. Management prides itself on "green" practices like using nontoxic cleaning products and reducing water use. Windows are double paned for quiet; upper floors have partial peeks of ocean in the distance. The somewhat limited all-day dining menu include healthy choices and Groundwork coffee. The small garden allows for a peaceful hideaway in the middle of the city. Perks like a fitness center with Peloton bikes, beach cruiser usage, Wi-Fi, L'Occitane toiletries, an evening wine reception, and Tesla car service are included with the $29 daily amenity fee. E-bike rentals are available.

Tucked snugly into a narrow corner lot, the supremely casual Bayside's greatest asset is its prime spot directly across from the beach, within walkable blocks from the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Pier. Expect no frills but a decent value. Beachy-hued rooms are well maintained and feature tiled floors, powerful showers, and a TV. Some include a private patio or balcony, and there's also a shared lounge area outdoors. Access is via stairs and an exterior walkway. There's a small front office instead of a lobby. Drivers must negotiate a cramped lot and then pay $36 a night for parking. Request a room with unobstructed ocean views and balconies. Book early for summer weekends; the hotel typically sells out then.

A mammoth Moreton Bay fig tree dwarfs the main entrance of the 5-acre, beach-adjacent Santa Monica wellness retreat and lends its name to the inviting on-site Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, FIG, which focuses on local ingredients and frequently refreshes its menu. Originally the site of a senator and Santa Monica cofounder's private mansion, this property now houses a mini enclave within the bustle of Santa Monica. The modernized lobby lounge houses a koi pond, waterfall, and games and opens onto a heated patio. Sit end enjoy Sazerac cocktails prepared tableside, or sushi from the resort's exquisitely tiny Soko sushi bar, carved out of a former storage area. Low-rise and extremely luxurious, residential-style bungalows built between 1920 and 1946 (and recently refreshed) are outfitted like mini-mansions. Standard rooms in the historic 10-story tower offer tight quarters, but they do come with beautiful ocean views, California decor, and fluffy duvets. The in-house Exhale Spa offers exercise classes and massages; all guests receive one free class per stay. There's also a gym with Peloton bikes. The pool area and seasonal beach club cater to guests wanting to play in the sun. Eco-conscious efforts include complimentary EV charging stations (after you pay the $70 parking fee) and "green" meetings. The $50 daily resort fee includes premium Wi-Fi, beach cruiser usage, a $25 Soko credit, and more.

Driving by, you can't miss the Georgian, a Wes Anderson fever dream built in 1933: its art deco exterior is aqua, with ornate bronze grillwork and a charming oceanfront veranda. The interiors remind visitors of the hotel's roots as a playground for Golden Age Hollywood royalty. The contemporary pet-friendly guest rooms have a more neutral palette, but their curves and details give more than a nod to the 1930s. Popular with visiting Europeans, the hotel's lobby echoes with foreign languages, especially around the lively lobby bar. Enjoy a lazy brunch or an Italian-inspired meal at Sirena, where you can appreciate the beach, ocean, and city views, or dine inside the clubby restaurant. Better yet, escort your cronies into the reservation-only Georgian Room, a former speakeasy that now delights with period cocktails and a luxe yet still approachable Italian menu (try the Sunday prix-fixe). There's also the Library bar for hotel guests only, featuring complimentary drinks. The daily $40 amenity fee includes bubbly and bottled water upon check-in, an EV charging station, bike rentals, yoga mats, a 24-hour fitness center with Pelotons, and more. Not enough luxury yet? Rent their manned 65' yacht.

Following an ultraswank refresh, the suites-only Oceana manages to achieve a low-key vibe while still dripping in luxury. Generous-size suites, soundproofed windows, an open-air courtyard and pool, and ocean proximity give this hotel a distinctly SoCal beach mood. The welcoming residential feel begins with a glass of bubbly in the glass-covered lobby, where guests sit down to check in, and extends to the colorful designer lounge. With two full-service, guests-only restaurants, a fitness studio with Peloton bikes, Frette linens, all the latest technological advances in-room, and a daily $55 resort fee providing Wi-Fi, daily yoga classes, beach cruisers, a beach activity concierge and towels, beverages, and poolside food and beverage tastings, guests may find it hard to leave. But the hotel also offers a range of bespoke experiences; they can even get you private Getty Villa access or take you on a helicopter ride above Malibu.

This sleek, tech-savvy property keeps the Silicon Beach business traveler in mind. It's situated two steep blocks from the beach, near the Third Street Promenade and chic Montana Avenue. The thoughtfully designed guest rooms offer luxurious comforts like high-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and a work desk with a view. In-room gadgets are thoroughly of the moment: think automatic lighting, 60-inch HDTVs, Nespresso machines, Wi-Fi, and charging ports everywhere. Modern bathrooms boast Bvlgari toiletries. Corner rooms have the best views. Guests have access to bikes, a relaxation lounge with spa, a house car, and gym facilities. The Penthouse lounge with its retracting roof and gauzy booth dividers is quite the scene on weekends, with 360-degree panoramic views of the Pacific, Malibu, the South Bay, Downtown Los Angeles, and LAX. The $35 prix-fixe lunch is a relative bargain. 

Tucked in a posh residential area three blocks from the sea and lively Third Street Promenade, Palihouse Santa Monica caters to design-minded world travelers, with spacious rooms and suites decked out in whimsical antiques. Picture Scottish hunting lodge meets Hollywood chic. The 1927 Mediterranean Revival exterior is encircled by a grassy courtyard, a bocce ball court, and outdoor seating. Step into the low-lit lobby, which also plays host to the hotel's guest-only all-day eating establishment, to be greeted by mismatched antiques highlighted with trophies, terrariums, and kitschy paintings. Rooms feel as though you just stepped into a quirky globetrotter's pied-à-terre, with locally made wallpaper prints, hand-carved vintage tables, and sets of faux antlers guarding the beds. Bathrooms hit all the high notes, including Diptyque toiletries. Modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi appeal to tech-minded travelers, while the fitness center and the fully equipped kitchens in most rooms cater to extended-stay visitors. Enjoy use of bicycles, a daily lemonade and candy bar, and a mocktail social hour. The all-day breakfast menu is universally loved.

Walk to the ocean side of the soaring atrium at this family- and pet-friendly hotel (formerly the Loews) and you feel like you're on a cruise ship: massive windows give way to the expansive sea below, and sunny "experience managers" are just a text away. All rooms are a minimum of 720 square feet and offer soaking tubs and rain showers, marble counters, and walk-in closets. Rooms come with a complimentary "refreshment center" stocked with drinks and snacks (you can even choose what you want before you arrive). Higher rooms have arched ceilings with side skylights. The state-of-the-art fitness center is joined by the West Coast's only Guerlain spa for true L.A.-grade training and primping. The experience managers are joined by beach butlers to plan out and enhance your stay. Meet friends in the clubby lobby, take in the ocean views over fresh Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare at the dreamy Orla by celebrity chef Michael Mina, or enjoy tableside cocktails at the Orla Bar. If you're seeking something simpler, try Sweet July Cafe (featuring another hot chef collab with Ayesha Curry) for warm drinks, pastries, and other quick bites. Kids and pets go first-class at the Regent, with loaner gear, amenity kits, and special activities.

On Santa Monica's busy Main Street, the Sea Shore (family-owned for five decades) is a charming throwback to Route 66 and to '60s-style roadside motels, nestled in an ultratrendy neighborhood. Just two blocks from a popular beach and bike path, this excellent value features rooms with tile floors, quadruple-pane noise-blocking windows, and basic amenities. The rooftop sundeck is a prime spot come sunset. Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus line passes out front. This hotel is popular in summer, so be sure to book early.

With views of the Santa Monica Pier, this hotel with a friendly staff offers eco-minded travelers stylish rooms with a modern design, just steps from the sand and sea. The Shore was the first hotel in Santa Monica to receive the prestigious LEED Gold certification for its environmentally friendly design. Giant windows front the property, maximizing the sun's rays and inviting guests to look out onto the expanse of the Pacific below the bluffs. Rooms are awash in beach hues, with aqua throws, sand-color blackout curtains, and rich, wooden furnishings. The temperature automatically adjusts when you enter and exit. A see-through rainfall shower occupies a prime location in standard rooms, offering ocean and city views as you wash the sand out of your hair. Perks include champagne upon arrival, Wi-Fi, and beach cruiser use. Additional amenities include a gym, business center, solar-heated pool and hot tub, and a lobby bar.

Tropical casual meets urbane at this stylized, airy seaside escape, where the cozy rooms, which all have French balconies, draw quite the upscale clientele. The mostly marble bathrooms have seated vanities and supremely refreshing aromatherapy products. The restaurant, Sugar Palm Ocean Avenue, makes the best of its indoor--outdoor ambience with a matching ocean-inspired menu and a huge wraparound bar. At the wood-paneled lounge during awards season, you'll likely catch a slew of celebs air kissing. Glamorous socializing also takes place in the pool and cabana area amid all-white armchairs and divans. Though the Viceroy arrived in town with the new century, the rooms are newly refreshed, with a neutral palette and mid-century-inspired furnishings that are set off by works from local artists. Upper-floor, ocean-view rooms are brilliant at sunset. A $40 daily resort fee includes amenities like a welcome drink, yoga classes, and bikes, while parking is $58.