Last Updated on July 31, 2025 by Katrina
Santa Monica offers everything you’d want in a Los Angeles getaway, from great beaches to celebrity-chef restaurants and A-list shopping. There’s also the ever-present possibility of seeing a movie star, perhaps strolling down Montana Avenue with coffee in hand. Families will also find much to love, especially the old-school amusement park at the Santa Monica Pier. Hotels here may not be for the budget-minded, but plenty offer good value for what are clearly memorable stays. Here are five beach hotels in Santa Monica worth the splurge.
Shutters on the Beach (1 Pico Blvd.; 310-458-0030) Ocean Park
Not many LA hotels actually sit on the sand, but this timeless Cape Cod-style hideaway has a perch right on Santa Monica State Beach. Inside, the 198-room hotel feels like the ultimate beach house, with four-poster beds and elegant-easy-chair décor. As one TripAdvisor reviewer says, “it’s a true home away from home—somehow this property manages to evoke the opposite of a hotel, and the feel of staying at someone’s house.” A Yelp user reports that “we were able to get a table right at the window with beautiful beach front views as the sun was setting.” >> Book this hotel for less
Casa Del Mar (1910 Ocean Way; 310-581-5533), Ocean Park
Set in a 1926 Renaissance Revival building, this plush oceanfront hotel on Santa Monica’s Silicon Beach shares the same owners as Shutters on the Beach. This place embraces its Mediterranean spirit with dark woods, crisp blue-and-white décor, and sweeping views of the ocean that can stretch as far as Malibu or Palos Verdes. One TripAdvisor reviewer deems it “casual yet refined. The atmosphere in the lounge and the sunsets on the beach are the best value in Santa Monica.” Casa Del Mar also makes a great place to dine, with seafood and cocktails at Terrazza Lounge and Catch. “Live music in the background and seeing the lights from Santa Monica Pier makes it even more inviting,” says one Yelp reviewer. >> Book this hotel for less
Regent Santa Monica Beach (1700 Ocean Ave.; 310-458-6700) Ocean Park
This 347-room luxury hotel on the north end of Santa Monica beach opened in October 2024 to rave reviews. Travel+Leisure says not to miss a meal at Orla, a Mediterranean–Middle Eastern restaurant by celebrity chef Michael Mina, whose flavors are inspired by his Egyptian roots. There’s an ocean-view pool and, while the hotel does not sit right on the sand, it feels close enough to the surf to catch a wave. One Google reviewer says, “The property itself is nothing short of breathtaking, offering a wealth of luxury—whether it’s lounging by the serene pool, indulging in the spa, savoring exquisite cuisine at the on-site restaurants, or retreating to the spacious and elegantly appointed rooms.” >> Book this hotel for less
Sandbourne Santa Monica (1740 Ocean Ave.; 310-395-9700) Ocean Park
With its contemporary aesthetics, cafes and onsite spa, this former J.W. Marriott was transformed into the Sandbourne and rehomed in Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Despite the superb location facing Santa Monica Beach, it also offers a moderate room rate for this area. One Yelp reviewer notes that “This is a fantastic hotel in a great location! … Short walk to the beach (chairs/towels available) and Santa Monica Pier.” A Google reviewer noted the hotel “is a short walk to the pier, you’re in the middle of everything the area has to offer without have to drive around and find parking.” >> Book this hotel for less
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows (101 Wilshire Blvd.; 310- 576-7777) Wilshire Boulevard
This AAA Four-Diamond Fairmont hotel may sit on bluffs above the beach, but part of L.A’s A-list charm is feeling above it all. Stay in the Palisades Wing, built in the 1920s, to get that Old Hollywood vibe. Or choose one of the 31 residential-style bungalows, where Marilyn Monroe was once a regular. A Google reviewer says, “It has the grace of an old fashioned, updated property.” Reviewers also gush about the high level of service. One traveler on TripAdvisor raved about the bartender “who went above and beyond making me drinks off the menu. Maybe if you’re lucky … he will make you a whisky smash.” >> Book this hotel for less
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