VIBE

Immaculately preserved 1920s art deco beach villa tastefully done up in a "summer resort" style. Rooms are open, light, airy, decently sized, and divine. The crowd is definitely more "sophisticate" than "beach bunny," though access to the beach is stellar, and the U-shaped building guarantees that most rooms have great ocean views. The service can be stiff and even unpolished (we found), but the swish facilities are superlative.

GO HERE WITH

A beau – for a très grownup weekend à deux.

WHY WE LIKE IT

You can drink in the Santa Monica sun and sand without needing to blend with a Malibu Barbie identikit crowd. This place is great for grownups.

AMENITY WE LOVE

Hydrotherapy bath tubs in every room.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The grumpy-ish service.

GOOD TO KNOW

Santa Monica attractions, like Main Street and the Santa Monica Pier, are within walking distance. Business travelers may want to head elsewhere; this is primarily an R&R destination. On a side note, we liked the homey and more casual (less crowded) atmosphere at this property a bit better than the more famous, and arguably more posh, neighboring Shutters on the Beach (sister property). Casa del Mar is a member of Leading Hotels of the World.

CLOSEST COMPS

Shutters on the Beach (Los Angeles)

Read more about Casa del Mar in The Diary

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