Viceroy Santa Monica

Viceroy Santa Monica sits on Ocean Avenue just a short walk from the beach, pier and downtown Santa Monica. It is close enough to the action to make a car optional for much of a stay, yet its interior courtyards and pool areas offer a quieter counterpoint to the waterfront outside.

The hotel’s 169 guestrooms and suites use natural textures, ocean blues and bright California tones, with many rooms oriented toward the city or Pacific. The style is relaxed and contemporary rather than resort-formal.

Two pools, open-air cabanas and a broad outdoor patio give the hotel much of its leisure identity. A fitness center, bicycles and access to activities such as surf or skate lessons make it easy to build a more active coastal stay.

Sugar Palm is the principal restaurant and bar, opening onto an outdoor terrace beneath the palms. Its coastal menu and social atmosphere suit the location and keep the hotel feeling connected to Santa Monica rather than detached from it.

Viceroy Santa Monica is best for travelers who want a real beach-city hybrid. It does not have the scale of a full coastal resort, but the walkable location, pools and easygoing design make it one of the more complete luxury options near the Santa Monica shoreline.