At a Glance
While Shutters on the Beach is Indagare's favorite hotel in Santa Monica, this is a lovely and less expensive option that also celebrates Southern California beach living.
Review
The buzzy Fairmont Miramar offers a bucolic slice of beachside living in Los Angeles. Especially ideal for families, thanks to spacious bungalows, the Santa Monica property is located a bit farther from the beach than Shutters, but closer to Malibu.
The Fairmont has comfortable rooms and a deservedly popular restaurant on premises that draws a happening crowd nightly. Most of the guest rooms are in the main high-rise building but the best ones are in the bungalows that surround the pool. In fact, the duplex bungalows with Pacific Ocean views and a Malibu beach house décor almost feel like private cottages. The two-story bungalows have upstairs living rooms with views of the beach. They feel like private beach bungalows and have been decked out with all of the elements to invoke coastal calm such as you would find in a Nantucket beach house.
On-property amenities include a beautiful Exhale spa and gym, complete with Exhale's workout classes, the latest fitness equipment and Peloton bikes. There is also a seasonal beach club that is open during the summer and offers complimentary rides to the beach, as well as food and drink service once there.
Who Should Stay
Travelers who want a Santa Monica resort-like property at a lower price than Shutters on the Beach.
Written by Indagare