It's a great luxury hotel. As we live in LA, we rarely stay. Yesterday, our CPA appointment ran…read moreunexpectedly short and we bridged our time until dinner with drinks on their balcony. Service, ambiance (and view) and drinks we as nice as one would expect from a place like this. We were the only table who did not get chips with their drinks. Why "only" four out of five stars? Because of the chips? C'mon, gimme a break. Of course not. Without question this is a very upscale hotel. I try to avoid to combine this with upscale expectations - how could you rate this say against a $100-a-night-motel. The motel will always fall short. So in my rating world, when I go, the place as automatically three stars. If it had not, I would not go. Depending on the experience, regardless of the status of the place, I give it more, or ... less. The place is and was really nice and I highly recommend it. By pure definition, it sure deserves five stars. A five star hotel with five star service and five star prices. Now, having lived in the world of the rich-beauty-famous for most of my life, that alone does not impress me too much. If the five star hotel would fall short - and I have seen this, my individual experience may lead to two stars or less, and sadly, it happened. In this case, we loved it and would go again. BUT: to achieve five stars in my rating scheme, I need to be willing to make a 30+ min detour just to go to this particular place. And while ambiance, view & stuff was nice, it was not nice/ special/ outstanding enough to earn its five points. And after Shutters, I went to a place that was clearly worth five stars. A place I have been to often, in walking distance - and a place to I would drive an hour out of my way just to go. But that's another story :-)

My husband, toddler, and 5 months old stayed here for 3 nights on Memorial Day weekend…read more We had a great time from the moment we walked in: - the hotel is beautiful and location is everything - the staff is very nice, tries to call you by name to make you feel special, and everything screams quiet luxury - the room was very nice, well decorated and comfortable. The tub is the highlight. One comment would be that when we checked in with Anthony, who was so sweet to our toddler, also kept telling us we were getting upgraded to a very nice room. We got all excited. It was a normal room. The "very nice upgrade" just meant that we were on floor 5. I barely call that an upgrade but ok. - we asked for a crib, and we go a nice crib with a cute little baby soap kit from noodle and boo- very nice touch. And baby robes for the kids- my toddler loved it. My toddler was on a rollaway bed and they were super accommodating about it- great experience on that front. - balconies are tiny and I never saw anyone out when I sat out - pool staff was super nice. It was a chilly weekend and the pool could have been warmer (I couldn't get in, but I really don't like cold water). - the beach chairs are also very nice and we were surprised to find them available - they were extremely pleasant about our friends visiting us every day! - the lobby waiter during the day was almost inexistant. We had to go to the bar to ask for drinks. The woman at night was great. Now for the food...: - coast has a great breakfast, the lemon ricotta pancakes are excellent (though stupid expensive for pancakes) - pico is a good spot for shrimp cocktail and calamari. Hasn't seen shrimps that big in a long time. - overall the food was good everywhere but way overpriced.... The kids menu are ridiculous... hard to justify spending $28 on kids pancakes. That being said, the portions were the same as adult portions... maybe make the portions smaller, and price more accessible? Overall we had a great stay, and while on the expensive side, we agreed we would come back. Nicely done!

The view at sunset from this hotel is amazing. An amazing space and venue…read more We ate a collection of almost everything and everyone loved it. Definitely a good place to hang out early too.

One of my favorite hotel lounges in SoCal. Updated gorgeous historical setting with high ceiling…read moreand large open area. Really enjoy lounging here, sipping an old fashioned and allow your senses to be stimulated by the environment. Feels like going back in time.

Very nice hotel next to where I had surgery. It was about a 4 minute walk and 1 minute drive…read more However, we choose to drive to the 5am surgery, which was probably for the best. There's a parking garage under the building, I believe it was $45 additional to park every day. There's a glass water jar in the room but it costs $6. There's an elevator here and wide hallways. Nice bathrobes and long balconies. There's alcohol in the fridge and snacks you can pay for. I didn't really like the shower that much but it was alright. I've been to a lot of hotels with this style. Water pressure was probably a 6/10. Turning the knob for the initial morning shower sucks cause it's cold and you get hit with the cold water before lol. Other than that, this location is prime. Very specious in the building and hallways. Room was standard spacious and it had vaulted ceilings.

I recently stayed at the Ambrose Hotel while my mother was undergoing surgery at UCLA Santa Monica…read moreMedical Center, and it could not have worked out better for our situation. I needed a place that could comfortably accommodate my dad, my dog, and me while allowing me to shuttle back and forth to the hospital easily. The Ambrose ended up being just about a two-minute drive from the medical center, which made an enormous difference. When my mom had surgery there a few years ago, I stayed closer to the ocean. Even though it was only about a mile and a half away, the traffic made it take 15 minutes each way to get to the hospital. This time, being so close made everything so much easier during a stressful few days when I was going back and forth constantly. The property itself was clean, quiet, and very comfortable. It was also incredibly convenient to have Tartine right across the street for coffee, breakfast, and quick refreshments. There are also plenty of nearby shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and even specialty markets like Erewhon within minutes. Most importantly, the hotel was very accommodating for my dog Grace, which was essential for our stay. All around, it was a wonderful experience, and I would absolutely stay here again and highly recommend it--especially for anyone who needs to be close to UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center.

Did a quick stay-cation here for a much needed get away. It's walking distances to the Santa Monica…read morepier/beach, the metro E line, and lots of great restaurants. The only option is valet parking which is steep, but convenient. There are other parking structures nearby; we still opted for valet for peace of mind. Rooms are clean and they offer suites if you want more spacious rooms. Service is incredible: we were able to check in early, borrow beach towels, and have all our questions answered. I only have Hilton Silver status (used to have to travel so much for work that I diamond once a upon a time), but they treated us with more consideration than I've experienced at other hotels when I was a Diamond member. Certainly a splurge stay for me, but between the service and location, I'd come back and recommend it to anyone.

We really enjoyed our Spring Break stay at this wonderful hotel. Firstly, the staff was really…read morehelpful. The allowed us to check in about 2 hours early. The housekeeping staff was fantastic too. The gentleman who was responsible for our room always asked if we needed anything and if he could provide any assistance in making our stay even better. We stayed in a 1 bedroom suite. The great thing about the suite setup is that the living room with a pull out couch is separated by a door to the bedroom; you could watch TV in one room and not bother the people in the other room. The TVs in each room were oversized and there was a decent sized mini fridge (Target and Trader Joes are just down the street - hello wine and beer!) The walls were thick, as was the main door and hotel noise and street noise was minimal. They have a pool on the 3rd floor that doubles as the covered drop off/entrance area and it was very nice. The breakfast buffet was solid (include made to order eggs), but it was too expensive (approx. $33 per person-tip included.) The best part about our stay were the pillows. Down pillows! The most comfortable pillows I have ever slept on! The beds were solid too. What else? You're a couple of blocks from the Santa Monica Pier and Beach. You're within an 8 minute walk to McDonald's for breakfast (cheaper than the hotel buffet!) and your about a 10 minute walk to the 3rd St Promenade. Our daughter absolutely loved her first trip to the beach and this Hilton property and its staff had a lot to do with that! *Tip 1* Head to Trader Joes to stock up on booze for your room fridge. *Tip 2* They don't have a microwave on property to reheat leftovers or snacks. Plan accordingly.

Nice-ish Courtyard on a very sketchy street. Last night on 5th after walking back from dinner I saw…read moreseveral sketchy characters and a guy smoking meth on a door-stoop feet from the entrance to the hotel. Luckily I was with people or I would not feel safe. Rooms are average. I really don't like the hardwood floors in the rooms. If there was someone above you wearing high heels or loud steppers you can hear everything. The bed wasn't too bad, it was average. There was a nice chaise lounge in my room -- not sure if they have that in every room but it was comfy. The fitness room was pretty good too -- open 24/7 and had a few treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes. There were some free weights as well. There is a hot tub and the swimming pool also on the 2nd floor. This is my least favorite Marriott in SaMo, but the location is very close to the promenade, the pier, the train, and tons of other amazing restaurants. Also there is a Target and a Trader Joes right on 5th -- these are major pluses! So if you don't plan to be in the hotel very much the location is great!

This hotel is in downtown Santa Monica and right next to the metro rail as well as several shops…read moreand restaurants! The lobby and guest lounge looks immaculate and features a ATM, restaurant, snack pantry, business center, guest lounge with flat screen TVs, wooden shelf with decorative sculptures, artwork and books! Amenities at this hotel include gym, swimming pool, hot tub/jacuzzi, guest laundry, meeting rooms and ice dispenser! In the rooms you get a flat screen smart TV to stream Netflix, work desk with office chair, telephone, refrigerator, coffee maker, lounge chair with tiny round table, coffee maker, refrigerator, safe deposit box, ironing amenities, clothing rack, full length mirror, hair dryer and complimentary toiletries in the bathroom. Only issues here are No microwave in the rooms! $20 Deposit required at check in!

Come with an expectation that it's an older hotel…read more.. Yes there some remodeling that needs to be done but honestly the service, food, and LOCATION outshined here. They attempt to modernize the rooms which I give them credit for because it's not that bad but bathrooms are expected to be outdated since this hotel is old as their humongous fig tree. It still was not terrible! Everything was working well still in our room and bathroom. We love the service here. Everyone was so professional and kind. Those valet guys were the best we ever had!! And we stay in numerous hotels in country and internationally! They honestly were so kind in taking our scooters in and out of storage whenever we needed them. Daniel was great and so were the others! Those guys need more credit running around in their suits in this heat while maintaining their smiles and professionalism, and managing the constant chaos in this roundabout! Food was amazing at the FIG. Better than I expected it to be! Location is clutch here. This is close to all the shopping, restaurants, park, and most importantly the beach! You can rent e-bikes and bikes here. We love how this hotel is dog friendly as well! Mr. Chuck had a splendid time. We definitely will be back!!

My husband stayed home with our two youngest so I could take our older three kids to Santa Monica…read morefor one last special hoorah before summer ended and school started. The Fairmont Miramar absolutely did not disappoint. The service exceeded my expectations from the moment we arrived until we left. As a mom traveling alone with three young kids, the little things matter--and the staff seemed to anticipate what I needed before I even asked. The moment we pulled into valet, they unloaded my vehicle, directed me to check-in, and promptly brought our luggage to our room. Shortly after settling in, housekeeping unexpectedly knocked just to ask if I'd like fresh ice. During our stay, they also brought a refrigerator and microwave to our room and even delivered my grocery and Target orders upstairs while we were sightseeing. What made our stay especially memorable was how genuinely kind the staff were to my children. Victor went above and beyond. He made sweet conversation with my kids and made them feel seen rather than like children simply tagging along at a nice hotel. He invited them to feed the koi fish each morning, which they loved. My six-year-old had brought a little fishing net and was dying to catch a fish. I had already warned him the answer would almost certainly be no, but let him lightheartedly ask Victor anyway--just in case there was some magical chance he'd say yes. Victor laughed and said he'd be right back. He returned with three adorable koi-fish squish toys, tossed them into my son's fishing net and told him they were "kind of like fish" and to share them with his brother and sister. It was such a small gesture, but it made his day. Those are the moments kids remember. The service at the pool was equally wonderful. The gentleman working there wouldn't let me lift a finger. He removed used towels and the lounge-chair cover, replaced everything with fresh linens, and laid out a clean towel for me while my kids jumped into the pool. One night my oldest became sick in bed. Embarrassed and unsure how they wanted me to handle the cleanup, I called the front desk. I had already stripped the bed to protect the mattress, but within moments a gentleman came upstairs, took the soiled bedding and told me not to worry--he would take care of it. He quickly returned with cleaning supplies, fresh bedding and pillows. I repeatedly offered to clean it myself or at least help, but he graciously refused. He cleaned everything and even completely remade the bed for me. I believe his name was Martin. It was late and I was half asleep, but I truly hope I remembered correctly because he deserves the recognition. As a mom, I'm usually the person taking care of everyone else. Having someone step in during an exhausting middle-of-the-night parenting moment and essentially say, "I've got this," meant more than he probably realized. On our final morning, I asked Victor for extra ice to keep our cold food chilled for the drive home. Instead of simply giving me a bucket, he prepared three vacuum-sealed bags of ice to use as ice packs. That level of thoughtfulness sums up our entire stay. The property itself is beautiful. I've seen reviews describing the rooms as somewhat dated, and I can understand what they mean, but it honestly wasn't anything worth complaining about. Our room was clean and surprisingly spacious--we had plenty of room for the four of us. The grounds are beautiful and have a charming, smaller resort-style feel. The onsite coffee shop had good, reasonably priced coffee, and there are several other amenities and dining options onsite. Saturday evening a pianist played in the lively lobby. My children never felt unwelcome, but we didn't linger out of consideration for the adults enjoying their evening. For families: The hotel is a bit of a walk from the Santa Monica Pier, but definitely doable. I did it with a 7, 6 and 4-year-old. We also rode scooters to the mall and Cheesecake Factory. If your priority is spending all day at the beach and walking directly from your hotel onto the sand, this may not be the most convenient choice. Beach access involves crossing over the busy highway or taking several stairs. However, it's a very short and easy drive to public beach parking. There are hotels closer to the pier and beach, but I do not regret choosing the Fairmont Miramar for a second. This hotel is pricey, but it was worth every dime. What I paid for wasn't simply a beautiful property or room--it was the service. They made vacationing alone with three young children genuinely easier, and as a mom, I appreciated that tremendously. We had a fabulous, memorable weekend, and the Fairmont was a huge part of what made it special. I would stay here again and again and wholeheartedly recommend it. The staff exceeded my expectations at nearly every turn, and I left feeling incredibly well cared for. Five stars, without hesitation.

Amazing food and vibes and good spot for drinks…read more 100% would recommend coming here I'm surprise tik tok hasn't blown this place up But it's for sure a good kept gem Parking is easy here too

One of the most beautiful hotels I've stayed at. Also one of the worst hotel experiences I've had…read morein a very long time. The Proper Santa Monica is stunning. The location is fantastic, the design is incredible and the rooms are genuinely cool. I arrived wanting to love this hotel. I left knowing I won't return. My room wasn't ready when I arrived. Fine. That happens and wasn't an issue. When I finally got into the room, it was stifling hot. The thermostat read 64 degrees with the fan on full, yet the room felt like there was no air conditioning at all. I went downstairs and told the front desk. I came back later. No difference. I barely slept that night because the room was so hot. The next morning, I told them again before leaving for the day. I assumed that after reporting the same problem twice, it would obviously be addressed. I came back. Still no difference. At that point I started troubleshooting the room myself. I turned the thermostat completely off. Air continued coming out of the unit. I left it off for about 10 minutes, turned it back on and, again, absolutely no difference. I spoke with a manager who told me they would come upstairs. Instead, they sent a bellman. He walked into the room and immediately said, "Wow, it's hot." Exactly. He then took me to two other rooms to see if I could move. Both had the same problem. Both were stifling hot. Eventually, a manager told me they would bring up a portable AC unit. They delivered a roughly four-foot-tall unit to the room and, amazingly, that actually cooled it down. So clearly the problem wasn't subjective. What makes the experience so unacceptable isn't that there was a problem with the air conditioning. Things break. Hotels have mechanical issues. I understand that. What I don't understand is how a hotel at this level can require a guest to raise the same basic issue six different times over two days before someone actually takes ownership of it and fixes it. I have top status with Marriott, but that really shouldn't matter. You shouldn't need status to get a comfortable room, nor should any guest paying these rates have to repeatedly chase the staff to resolve something as fundamental as being able to sleep. When I checked out, I went through the entire experience with another manager. After hearing what had happened, he essentially had no words. Neither did I. That is ultimately what ruined the stay. Not a broken AC system, but the complete lack of urgency and attentiveness in dealing with it. This is a beautiful property in a terrific location. I genuinely wanted to love it. Unfortunately, great design doesn't compensate for inattentive service, particularly when a basic problem is allowed to continue for two days despite being repeatedly brought to the hotel's attention. At this price point and at a hotel positioning itself at this level, the experience was brutal. Beautiful hotel. Great location. Incredibly disappointing service. I won't return.

Where Santa Monica Hospitality Peaks: A Stay You'll Never Stop Talking About…read more It has been a few months since my stay, but I am taking the time to blanket as many review sites as I can with my feelings of this incredible property. As someone who has spent 42 years wandering in and out of Hilton properties -- more than 1,000 nights, countless check‑ins, and enough welcome amenities to fill a small museum -- I honestly believed I had seen every flavor of Hilton hospitality imaginable. Turns out I was wrong. The Hilton XLR Oceana Santa Monica isn't just another stop on the map. It's the destination you didn't know you were searching for. Let's start off with the man who should have the title of "Director of First Impressions". The man, the myth, the legend. Lenny. From the moment you arrive, Lenny greets you with the kind of warmth that makes you wonder if he's been secretly rehearsing for a role as "Most Likable Human in California." His tour of the property feels less like an orientation and more like a proud parent showing off a child prodigy. The "baby," in this case, includes a heart‑shaped pool, a gym that looks like it was designed by someone who actually enjoys gyms, a restaurant that smells like happiness, and pool loungers so comfortable you'll consider writing them into your will. Every lounger has its own umbrella, because at Oceana, squinting is apparently illegal. Morning brings coffee by the pool, and the rest of the day offers citrus water and lemonade that somehow tastes like vacation in a glass. Hydration becomes a personality trait. If you arrive early and your room isn't ready, don't worry -- waiting here feels intentional. That perfectly heated (but never too hot) pool has a way of making time slow down in the best possible way. Housekeeping? They deserve trophies. Multiple. They reset your room with such precision that you'd swear you were the first person ever to step inside. Considering this building once hosted Stan Laurel and Dick Van Dyke, that's saying something. If the walls could talk, they'd probably wink. Now, about the room. Mine was labeled "standard," which is adorable because nothing about it is standard. A four‑poster bed, a balcony, marble bathroom, seating area, and décor that manages to be stylish without trying too hard -- like it woke up effortlessly fabulous. The entire property radiates luxury without the attitude. Even the guests seem to float around in a state of serene bliss, as if they've all collectively agreed to leave their stress somewhere north of Malibu. The maintenance team works quietly behind the scenes, keeping everything polished and perfect -- the unsung heroes of the Oceana glow. And then there's the front desk dream team: Lenny, again, because he's basically the unofficial mayor. Daniel, who appears to be everywhere at once -- online chat, front desk, possibly running the building's electrical grid. Josh and Antoine, who remember your name, treat you like family, and could probably convince a grizzly bear to book a spa package. Ask where something is, and they don't point -- they walk with you. The lobby fireplace feels like stepping into your own private beach house. And that's the word that kept coming to mind: home. A very elegant, very sunny, very Santa Monica home. And I have to say this clearly: the general manager, and the entire management family, deserves enormous credit. Running a property that feels this relaxed, this polished, and this genuinely charming is no small feat. The atmosphere here isn't accidental -- it's curated with care, intention, and leadership that clearly inspires the entire team. You can feel it in every interaction, every detail, every moment. Yes, it's pricier than other options. But I've stayed in hundreds of hotels, and most of them blur together. This one? I'll remember forever. This isn't just a stay. It's an experience. And I look forward to staying in touch with Lenny, long after the stay. Seriously. That's what kind of place it is. A place where you WANT to engage, laugh and create friendships. Thank you to the entire Oceana Santa Monica family for making me feel like family while I'm far from my own. What a feeling.

We stay here at least 1-2x a year. This is our favorite hotel BY FAR when we come to LA. I could…read morenot stay anywhere else. We love all the rooms we stayed in here. It's so spacious and comfy! It's always quiet when we stay here as well. The location is clutch! It's walking distance to everything! We can take the cruisers for free and bike along the beach. Just always a 11/10 stay here. Service is always top notch! The food is pricey here but it's still good! Thanks to the staff for all you do here! We appreciate you all for always making us feel welcome!

This was our second stay at the Huntley Santa Monica Beach, and we loved it again! The rooms are…read morevery spacious, with high ceilings, a walk-in closet, a desk, a coffee station, and large windows that create a bright and welcoming atmosphere. The shower has excellent water pressure and feels incredibly soothing and relaxing. Everything is exceptionally clean, and the staff members are kind, friendly, and attentive. The location is wonderful--close to the ocean and many great restaurants. We also love the breathtaking views from the rooftop restaurant. We will definitely return and highly recommend the Huntley!

The Huntley is one of my favorite brunch locations. Not only is the food great, the view is…read moreimpressive. Located on the top floor next to the Fairmont in Santa Monica provides a great ocean and beach view. Solid brunch as well!

Came here for a staycation. Excellent ambiance and service. The food and drinks for lunch were…read moregreat. It's also super close to everything if you want to go out or have a lazy night in with delivery.

If you want a swanky west side experience that rivals anything in Malibu or Beverly Hills, this is…read moreit. This great hotel has an updated classic Santa Monica feel and is a locals hangout too - but not too crowded. The desert is equally awesome and it's right by the beach. We always go for desert - the brownie is incredible and made from scratch by the hotel's own pastry chef! It's a casual, laid back and trendy without a lot of showy people.