Compare Santa Monica hotels

There’s something very romantic about the notion of staying at one of the fantastic hotels in Santa Monica. Maybe it’s the end-of-the-world sensation you get as you look out from its famous pier, across the Pacific Ocean.

Perhaps it’s the rollerbladers or the iron-pumpers getting sweaty beside the white sands. Or it could be the bright Art-Deco hotels that help you to forget you’re on the edge of Los Angeles: the second-biggest city in the USA.

A city in its own right, the oceanfront location of Santa Monica and its laidback vibes make it a popular destination for visitors to LA and the cool California coast. Beach hotels in Santa Monica are in high demand, and as a premium location that means only one thing: expensive hotels.

Some of the most luxurious hotels in Santa Monica are found close to the pier and behind the soft sands of the beach, on Ocean Avenue.

With designer suites, ocean views and top restaurants, these hotels can demand hundreds of dollars per night, but for sheer luxury and the best location in the city, they are usually worth the splurge.

North of the pier and perched above a coastal bluff is the area known as Downtown. This location is also a hot ticket for those looking for luxury beach hotels in Santa Monica.

Palisades Park runs behind the beach, offering elevated views across the glittering Pacific and north to Malibu and the mountains. Stay in one of the Downtown hotels and this park makes for a very pleasant neighbour, with its walking trails and shady spots under towering palms.

Book a stay around here and you’ll also have Third Street Promenade on your doorstep – visitors come from across Los Angeles to enjoy this upscale dining, shopping and entertainment complex.

Beach hotels in Santa Monica’s Downtown can also command premium prices, but if you’re happy to walk a few blocks to hit the coast, you can find cheaper hotels a little further inland.

A good place to look for cheap hotels in Santa Monica, still with easy access to the beach, is the Ocean Park neighbourhood, which is south of the pier and encompasses Main Street.

Here you’ll find farmers’ markets, art galleries, cafes populated by locals instead of tourists, and hotels that are better suited to a smaller budget. Even as far inland as Lincoln Boulevard, it’s only a 15 to 20-minute walk to the beach.

Located behind the Downtown area, Mid-City still has much to offer to visitors, especially if you’re keeping an eye on the budget.

On the plus side, it has a wonderful offering of restaurants, theatres and art galleries. On the downside, you might need to hop aboard a bus to spend an afternoon on those sun-kissed sands, some 20 blocks away. There are plenty of cheap, frequent buses, so it’s not a major disadvantage.

Mid-City hotels include a number of large inns and motels, as well as small boutique accommodation options that perfectly match the playful mood of this oceanfront city.