Santa Monica Travel Forum

Anyone any recommendations for sea view hotels in Santa Monica near the Pier if possible - about $150-200 price range - been looking at Hotel Carmel, Bayside and Shangri-la - anyone know anything about these? Would be grateful for any help and information on the area as we are touring next summer and would be glad of any tips.

If you want the sea view you'll probably want the Shangri-La....some rooms are very old and musty however so it is a coin toss to stay here.

Bayview is fairly hip and clean, but is just a motel near the beach, not really a "hotel", no pool or anything. There is an ocean view from some of the balcony, but not from the rooms really, and though it is a good location it is not a close to the Pier as the Shangri La.

Avoid the Carmel. Great location but its a dump.

I lived near S.M. for years and recently had family visit from the midwest. They stayed at, and enjoyed, the Hotel California. Knowing them and their frugality, even the (somewhat rustic??) suite (w/ kitchenette and separate, though not private, bedroom) they stayed in, should not be out of your price range. The location is indeed within brief walking distance to the pier - less than 5 minutes, maybe only 3. A website I have used in gahtering info for (perhaps) such a package is Montrosetravel.com . Enjoy!!

I lived near S.M. for years and recently had family visit from the midwest. They stayed at, and enjoyed, the Hotel California. Knowing them and their frugality, even the (somewhat rustic??) suite (w/ kitchenette and separate, though not private, bedroom) they stayed in, should not be out of your price range. The location is indeed within brief walking distance to the pier - less than 5 minutes, maybe only 3. A website I have used in gahtering info for (perhaps) such a package is Montrosetravel.com . Enjoy!!

This may be out of your price range, but we stayed at the Hotel Oceania, and quite enjoyed it. The hotel is beautifully renovated and used to be a motel in the 60's, so it has a retro vibe.

http://www.hoteloceanasantamonica.com/home.php

it's about a 15 minute walk to the Pier.

FYI, The Shangri la is featured in several scenes in "White Men Can't Jump", Be aware that even though some of the hotels/motels North of the pier might have sea views, they are quite far from the water. There are several motels on Ocean Avenue, land side, (one I believe is a Best Western)as well. Then there is a park area, then across PCH, and then across 100 yards of parking or homes, then several hundred yards to the beach. South of the pier there are some higher end places closer to the beach.

Thanks for all the help everyone - given me some things to think about.