Hotel Shangri-La, Santa Monica

Hotel Shangri-La - An Art Deco ocean liner-inspired hotel with rooftop bar, outdoor pool, and Pacific Ocean views

Built to resemble a white ocean liner, the seven-story Hotel Shangri-La features upper-story balconies with sweeping sea views just three blocks from Santa Monica Pier. This Santa Monica hotel houses 70 rooms equipped with 24-hour room service, premium bedding, laptop-compatible safes, and air conditioning, while marble bathrooms showcase glass-enclosed rain showers, Frette robes, and L'Occitane toiletries. The chic outdoor heated pool area, designed to evoke a cruise ship atmosphere, includes teak decks, stylish black-and-white striped loungers, cabanas, and a whirlpool tub. Guests can dine at The Dining Room restaurant, which serves American cuisine highlighting local produce from the Santa Monica Farmer's Market, or visit the rooftop ONYX bar offering signature menu items from a raw bar and gourmet flatbreads. Located just two blocks from the pedestrian-only Third Street Promenade with its shops, movie theater, and restaurants, Shangri-La sits five minutes by car from Santa Monica Place shopping center and approximately 30 minutes by taxi northwest of LAX Airport.

Pros

The rooftop Xanadu Spa offers various massages and treatments in a tented area

ONYX rooftop bar provides sunset views in a sleek space with black furnishings and mustard-hued accents

Spacious suites feature full gourmet kitchens, separate living areas, and wrap-around terraces

Multiple restaurants within 0.3 miles, including BOA Steakhouse, HiHo Cheeseburger, and Elephante

Cons

Venice Beach requires a 10-minute drive or 20-minute bus ride

Only one on-site restaurant available