*Denotes local charge
*Denotes local charge
Some hotels are all about the location, some pride themselves on providing exceptional service, while others seek to create a luxurious environment. The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Santa Monica is one of those few properties that combines it all. What we love about this hotel is that it’s elegant but not stuffy; oh, and the views over the Pacific Highway to Santa Monica Beach and the Pacific Ocean are pretty spectacular too. You’ll be just a 10 minute walk or so to the soft sands of the beach, and a little further to the famous Santa Monica Pier. We recommend taking one of the complimentary bikes and making your way along beautiful SoCal beaches. Another unique feature of the Fairmont is the seasonal Beach Club – a private area of Santa Monica Beach reached by open-top Jeep, exclusively for the use of hotel guests which is available each Friday, Saturday and Sunday during June, July and August. As you would probably expect from a hotel of the Fairmont’s standard, providing upscale dining and drinking venues is one of the main focuses here. The FIG Restaurant is one of the region’s most sought after dining spots for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as weekend brunch – almost a national institution. You’ll love the wide range of dishes which are created using the freshest seasonal produce. During your stay enjoying a sunset cocktail at The Bungalow is a must, for one evening at least. It’s cool and casual with mismatched furniture, wood decking and a beach hut style design, and the cocktails and light bites are mouthwatering. Set throughout the hotel are 302 rooms and suites either in the historic Palisades Wing, the more modern Ocean Tower or unique bungalows which are located within the Miramar’s gardens. The Deluxe Rooms are in the Ocean Tower and overlook the grounds. If you are thinking of treating yourself we can’t think of a better place to upgrade to a room with a sea view; choose either a Deluxe Oceanview Room or Premier Oceanview Rooms for beach and Pacific vistas. The spacious Palisades Suite, which has garden and city views, are an ideal choice if you are travelling as a family as the separate living room has a double sofa bed.
At this Hilton managed you can follow in the footsteps of Hollywood royalty and iconic politicians. The style here is sleek and sophisticated yet not over the top and it has a long tradition of providing attentive service – and that’s not surprising with returning guests such as Barack Obama. The hotel’s Aqua Star Pool is the place to be on those hot summer days. Poolside cabanas can be rented allowing you to enjoy a slice of solitude and a cool place to lounge poolside. Following a day of shopping or exploring the famous LA sights it’s well worth indulging yourself with a treatment at the Aqua Star Spa, a tranquil haven amidst this busy metropolis. The city of Beverly Hills, which can be reached in 15 minutes by foot or a few minutes by car is awash with gourmet restaurants, including restaurants headed up by the likes of Wolfgang Puck, Nobu Matsuhisa and Thomas Keller. The hotel does hold its own when it comes to dining though – the award winning restaurant Circa 55 is a popular spot overlooking the Aqua Pool where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel’s Polynesian-themed bar Trader Vic’s Lounge replaces the Trader Vic’s which opened alongside the hotel in the 1950s, which was once a favourite with the hotel’s a-list guests. Today you can enjoy the nostalgic tiki culture with cocktails such as the famous Mai Tai – a Trader Vic’s original. The rooms and suites are located within different buildings throughout the hotel – the Wilshire Tower, The Oasis and the Cabanas which are located around the pool. Rooms feature modern amenities such as Bose Wave Music systems and plasma televisions and they offer a calm and comfortable environment. The rooms overlook the pool area and over towards the city with some featuring a small furnished balcony. A range of other rooms and suites are available on request.
This breezy and bright beach-cottage-style hotel has one of the best settings in Santa Monica; the only thing separating the beautiful Shutters on the Beach from the sand is the Ocean Front Walk, a paved promenade that winds its way north to the famous Santa Monica Pier. Many city hotels are often just a base, however, you’ll want to spend some time here during your Los Angeles and Santa Monica explorations. We love the hotel’s relaxed vibe and beach chic design as well as its cosy lounge – the Library – and pool which is surrounded sun beds and private cabanas. And the dining venues are equally wonderful. At the fine dining at the destination restaurant 1 Pico, the menu is full of fresh seafood dishes like locally caught sea bass, crab and Alaskan halibut and tasty alternatives for veggies and vegans. The Saturday at 1 Pico brunch – which includes a selection of succulent lobster dishes – is a bit of a Santa Monica institution so be sure to book your spot early.
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Santa Monica
The Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills
Shutters on the Beach
