Finding accommodation along Los Angeles’ Westside beaches depends on your desired beach experience. Santa Monica is a polished beach, with a vibrant community and a boardwalk, while Venice offers a more casual beach experience with eclectic fun. While both beaches provide a gorgeous view and access to the Pacific Ocean, they provide distinctly different experiences to the California beach experience.
If you’re looking to stay in Venice, the Venice Beach House is a great option for those wanting to be near the action without being directly on it. This boutique hotel is located next to the Venice Beach boardwalk, within walking distance to both Santa Monica Beach and Venice Beach. It also has 43 air-conditioned rooms with refrigerators, Wi-Fi access, cable TV, safes, and coffee/tea facilities. On site, guests also have access to bike rentals, a terrace/garden, concierge services, 24 hour reception, and self-parking. The breakfast served helps you get a good start to the day, and the area surrounding the hotel has plenty of restaurants to explore.
Kinney Venice Beach suits travelers who prioritize hotel features and proximity to eateries and shops. It is located in the shopping area of Venice. Kinney Venice Beach is a short distance from Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach. Santa Monica Beach is 2.3 miles from the hotel. The Kinney Venice Beach has 68 air-conditioned rooms. These rooms feature Wi-Fi, satellite TV, safes, and desks. The hotel has an outdoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, and limited-hour room service. Guests can pay for parking and breakfast. The warm, casually designed rooms meet the creative spirit of Venice.
Venice should not be considered just a stop for taking pictures on the beach. Guests can spend the whole day walking along the beach, cycling, and watching the people in the city. Venice has a Calfornian vibe at night. The sea breeze and music in the neighborhood offer a contrasting experience to the rhythm of the waves.
Santa Monica suits travelers looking for a more relaxed beach vacation. The area has less chaos than Santa Monica. It also has equally beautiful scenery with the beach, sunsets, and ocean views. The streets of Santa Monica are more organized and everything is more accessible.
The Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica is located in the Ocean Park area and is great for guests who appreciate more room and resort-style amenities closer to the beach. The hotel is a three minute drive from Santa Monica Pier, 0.6 miles from Santa Monica Beach, and about 1.9 miles from Venice Beach. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center (open 24 hours), bike rentals, self-parking for a fee, wifi, and concierge. Each of the 315 custom designed rooms has a refrigerator, an LCD TV, down comforters and premium bedding. There is a restaurant, Coastal Harvest, and a bar. The hotel also has a blue and white color palette, comfortable beds, and great views from higher floors. The hotel is great for a relaxed vacation.
The Huntley Santa Monica Beach is also great because of its central location and unique layout. Being located so close to the beach and major shopping roads makes it smart for guests who want to have ocean access and then go for a meal or some shopping. The hotel is a three minute drive from Santa Monica Pier and about 2.3 miles from Venice Beach. There is a fitness center, a hot tub, and bike rentals. There is also a free shuttle within a three mile radius. The 204 rooms have minibars, espresso machines, 60-inch LCD televisions, pillow-top beds, down comforters and Egyptian cotton sheets. The restaurant on the Penthouse level has the best views of the ocean and serves California cuisine. The large bright rooms with high-end designer bathrooms show the hotel’s upscale style.
If you want the Santa Monica beach and pier literally as your next door neighbor, the clear option is Shore Hotel, Santa Monica. It is located right in the middle of Santa Monica;
i.e., a four-minute walk to the pier and seven minutes to reach the beach. The Santa Monica Venice Beach Boardwalk is approximately 1.6 miles away. The surrounding streets have plenty of restaurants, and shopping is within close proximity, making this location unbeatable for a no car stay. The hotel features an outdoor pool and hot tub, bike rentals and Wi-Fi. There is a concierge to assist you and two restaurants including Shoreside Restaurant. There are 164 rooms, each with furnished private balconies, 55 inch LED TV’s, minibars, iPod docks, pillow top beds with Egyptian cotton sheets, and a light filled, contemporary interior. The bathrooms are clean which helps keep the easy going coastal polished vibe.
If your trip is primarily going to be about Venice, you will want to stay at Venice Beach House or The Kinney Venice Beach. For a more seamless and convenient experience in Santa Monica you could stay at Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica or The Huntley Santa Monica Beach. Each of these options presents a more Southern California beach holiday experience. The true luxury, however, is the location. It is waking up that close to the Pacific Ocean and making the beach part of your daily routine.
