The Best Luxury Hotels To Book In Santa Monica

Santa Monica delights visitors with the Santa Monica Pier, dreamy views of the Pacific Ocean, and sunny Californian weather. Whether you want to spend your afternoon lazing in a private open-air cabana by the pool, or the evenings sipping cocktails on a dazzling rooftop terrace, treat yourself to a relaxing stay in one of the best luxury hotels in Santa Monica. We’ve rounded up the best indulgent places to stay in the area, where there’s even the chance you’ll run into a celebrity or two.

1. Shore Hotel Santa Monica

Eco Hotel

Bright room with a double bed against a turquoise accent wall, a flat screen TV, hardwood floors and a private balcony overlooking the beach at Shore Hotel

An eco-conscious beach retreat in the heart of Santa Monica, Shore Hotel Santa Monica sits in a coveted spot on Ocean Avenue, directly across from the historic pier. As the town’s first and only upscale Gold LEED-certified property, sustainability is at the heart of everything at the Shore Hotel, where you’ll find a solar-heated private pool, locally procured recycled materials, and luxurious rain showers. For the ultimate experience, opt for a premier ocean view room – which comes with a large balcony offering panoramic views of sunny Santa Monica Beach.

2. Oceana Beach Club

Boutique Hotel

White four poster bed against a patterned navy accent wall, a blue velvet settee, a private balcony and other modern furnishings in a bedroom at Oceana

With mid-century beach house vibes tucked away on the north end of Santa Monica’s beachfront avenue, Oceana is the place for ultimate relaxation in a luxury setting. Housing a rarely crowded courtyard pool and an on-site farm-to-table restaurant, there are a total of just 70 rooms, so expect service to be delightfully personal. Health is also big on the agenda here, with an on-site fitness center, daily yoga classes, guided hikes, and weekend surf lessons.

3. Viceroy Santa Monica

Boutique Hotel, Luxury

Elegant bedroom with a large double bed against a wall with multiple mirrors, a green bedside table, a striped carpet, a writing desk and a private balcony at Viceroy Santa Monica

This LA icon has long been a favorite for special occasion celebrations and limelight-shunning VIPs, and it’s easy to see why. Private, open-air cabanas flanking its two trendy pools are the perfect spaces to make the most of the sunny weather, as is its popular CAST restaurant. Rooms enjoy views of the ocean, pool, city, or gardens – the crème de la crème is the 780sqft (72sqm) Monarch Suite complete with Italian bedding, whirlpool, and steam shower.

5. Santa Monica Proper

Hotel, Luxury

Boho style bedroom with a double bed, a brown semi circle headboard, cork-textured walls, quirky wooden furniture and floor to ceiling windows at Santa Monica Proper

The embodiment of California cool, the Santa Monica build of the stylish Proper chain of hotels combines contemporary interior design with the elegant bones of a 1920s landmark. The hotel oozes laid-back West Coast charm thanks to its effortlessly stylish rooftop bar and pool, and a relaxing, neutral sandy color palette. The spacious rooms come with floor-to-ceiling windows and walk-in travertine showers. Thoughtful extras, including Parachute Home robes, Aesop amenities, and Apple TVs for late-night Netflix watching, are the icing on the cake.

6. Channel Road Inn

Bed and Breakfast

Bedroom with single bed, an additional white sofa bed, a red dresser, a white writing desk, a flat screen TV and red decorative touches at Channel Road Inn

A quaint B&B hidden away in the leafy calm of Santa Monica Canyon, Channel Road Inn is home to just 15 individually designed rooms – complete with huge windows overlooking either its charming landscaped garden or Channel Road. Live the ultimate LA lifestyle with four-poster beds, roaring fireplaces, and private balconies in the upper tier rooms, which include homey touches such as fresh flowers, afternoon vino, and freshly baked cookies. There’s no on-site restaurant, but innkeeper Dominique is a whiz at whipping up hearty breakfasts to fuel your morning.

7. Palihouse Santa Monica

Boutique Hotel

Double bed with a beige headboard against white and pink patterned wallpaper in a simple bedroom with white bedside tables and french doors opening onto a private balcony at Palihouse Santa Monica

Dubbed Santa Monica’s premier boutique beach lodge, this Mediterranean-style hotel is just blocks from the beach. It offers a range of rooms, including Grand Studio Residences with fully equipped kitchens, and work by local artists and photographers lining the walls. Plush tufted footstools in bright jewel tones, antlers, and paintings propped on easels can be found scattered around the guest rooms. Be sure to ask for a front-facing room that looks out over the gorgeously manicured garden.

8. Shangri-La Santa Monica

Boutique Hotel

Modern bedroom with cream-toned walls, a spacious double bed with a silver headboard and a red leather chair at Hotel Shangri-La Santa Monica

Harking back to Hollywood’s Golden Age of glamour, Shangri-La Santa Monica is an art deco lover’s paradise. Conjuring up pristine ocean views from some of its guest rooms and the Onyx Rooftop Lounge, head up to the outdoor pool where you can camp out in its luxe cabanas and black-and-white chaise lounges with a cocktail in hand. Relax as you watch the sun slip below the water and prepare for an enthralling LA evening ahead.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.