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4-star hotels in Santa Monica

A shortlist of 4-star hotels in Santa Monica, from small inns near the beach to large oceanfront properties. It is for travellers who want a comfortable, well-reviewed base on the coast and are choosing between very different styles of hotel.

14 hotels4 rated 4.5+11,734 guest reviews

Staying in Santa Monica

The hotels cluster around Ocean Avenue and the streets just inland, with others on Channel Road, 2nd Street, 3rd Street, 4th Street, Pico Boulevard and Colorado Avenue. That means most are within a short stroll of the beachfront and the pier area, while a few sit in quieter residential blocks. Couples will find small inns with gardens and fireplaces as well as larger hotels with spas and lounges. Families are served by properties with family rooms, outdoor pools and cots. Business travellers have a choice of hotels with business centres and fitness facilities. Guests can pick a 4.8-rated inn or a large oceanfront property rated 4.5 from 1964 reviews, depending on whether they want intimacy or scale for a short break.

The shortlist

Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.

  1. Channel Road Inn A Four Sisters Inn

    ★★★★4.8177 reviews

    219 W Channel Rd, Santa Monica, United States

    Best for: Drivers · Step-free access

    • Free car parking
    • Beach nearby
    • Wheelchair accessible

    Why stay hereA quiet, garden-set 4-star on W Channel Rd with a fireplace, terrace and free parking, and the beach a short walk away. Guests score it 4.8 from 177 reviews. Air conditioning, free Wifi and concierge service round out a stay that suits couples and anyone who wants a calm base away from the busy centre.

    See Channel Road Inn A Four Sisters Inn
  2. Shangri La Santa Monica

    ★★★★4.884 reviews

    Ocean Avenue 1301, Santa Monica, United States

    Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa

    • Outdoor pool
    • Sauna
    • Car parking

    Why stay hereOcean Avenue address with an outdoor pool, spa, sauna and fitness centre under one roof. Rated 4.8 from 84 reviews, it pairs a Jacuzzi and massage with a restaurant, bar and 24-hour check-in. Rooms have kitchen facilities including a microwave and refrigerator, which suits longer stays and guests who want wellness on site.

    See Shangri La Santa Monica
  3. Regent Santa Monica Beach

    ★★★★4.881 reviews

    1700 Ocean Ave Santa Monica California 90401, Santa Monica, United States

    Best for: Families · Drivers

    • Outdoor pool
    • Sauna
    • Parking

    Why stay hereA 4-star address on Ocean Ave with a beach just nearby, the Regent Santa Monica Beach earns its 4.8 guest rating from 81 reviews. An outdoor pool and fitness centre cover active days, while a jacuzzi and lounge suit slower ones. Balconies and a fireplace in some rooms, plus a garden and patio, make it a strong fit for couples and families who want resort-style facilities close to the sand.

    See Regent Santa Monica Beach
  4. The Huntley Hotel

    ★★★★4.51,964 reviews

    1111 2Nd St, Santa Monica, United States

    Best for: Families · Drivers

    • Spa
    • Parking
    • Breakfast

    Why stay hereThe most reviewed hotel on this list, with 1964 guest ratings at 4.5, on 2nd St. A restaurant and bar, fitness centre, garage parking and bike rental sit alongside sea-view rooms with minibar. Family rooms and express check-in help, and the beach is nearby, so it suits both leisure stays and guests who want to be in the thick of things.

    See The Huntley Hotel
  5. The Georgian in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

    ★★★★4.41,068 reviews

    1415 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, United States

    Best for: Families · Drivers

    • Parking
    • Breakfast
    • Fitness Center

    Why stay hereThe Georgian in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt sits on Ocean Ave, a beach nearby, and pairs a restaurant with a fitness centre for guests who want dining and exercise on site. Pets are allowed, family rooms are available and valet parking is offered. With 1068 reviews averaging 4.4, it suits travellers who value a full-service 4-star base with free wifi and a bar for the evening.

    See The Georgian in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
  6. Sandbourne Santa Monica Autograph Collection

    ★★★★4.31,219 reviews

    1740 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, United States

    Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa

    • Outdoor pool
    • Spa
    • Parking

    Why stay hereSandbourne Santa Monica Autograph Collection on Ocean Ave offers an outdoor pool and a fitness centre, with a bar and lounge for later in the day. Balconies and a sea setting give the property its coastal character; pets are allowed and family rooms make it workable for those travelling with children. A 4.3 rating from 1219 reviews reflects steady approval. Golf and horse riding are listed among the facilities, appealing to guests who plan activities beyond the beach.

    See Sandbourne Santa Monica Autograph Collection
  7. Palihouse Santa Monica

    ★★★★4.3240 reviews

    1001 3Rd St, Santa Monica, United States

    Best for: Step-free access

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Internet access

    Why stay herePalihouse Santa Monica on 3Rd St is a smaller 4-star option, with just 240 reviews and a 4.3 rating. The facilities are deliberately limited: a 24-hour front desk, internet access, lifts and wheelchair accessibility. That makes it a sensible pick for guests who want a straightforward, accessible base with round-the-clock reception and little else, rather than extensive on-site amenities.

    See Palihouse Santa Monica
  8. Shore Hotel

    ★★★★4.21,692 reviews

    1515 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, United States

    Best for: Families · Drivers

    • Outdoor pool
    • Parking
    • Breakfast

    Why stay hereShore Hotel on Ocean Avenue is a 4-star with an outdoor pool, a restaurant and a garden, plus a jacuzzi and bar. Balconies and a beach nearby keep the coast at hand, and family rooms, pets allowed and a 24-hour front desk add flexibility. With 1692 reviews averaging 4.2, it fits travellers who want a lively, well-equipped hotel with plenty of on-site options.

    See Shore Hotel
  9. Viceroy Santa Monica

    ★★★★4.21,126 reviews

    1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, United States

    Best for: Families · Drivers

    • Kids pool
    • Parking
    • Breakfast in room

    Why stay hereA 4.2-rated 4-star on Ocean Avenue with outdoor pool, kids pool and fitness centre, plus a bar and lounge. Bikes can be rented on site, and diving, fishing and golf are within reach. Pets are allowed and rooms come with bathrobes and fireplaces in some cases, which suits couples and active families.

    See Viceroy Santa Monica
  10. Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites

    ★★★★4.11,868 reviews

    1707 4Th St, Santa Monica, United States

    Best for: Families · Drivers

    • Outdoor pool
    • Spa
    • Parking

    Why stay hereHilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites on 4Th St combines an outdoor pool and fitness centre with a restaurant and bar, and adds massage for downtime. Family rooms and a business centre serve both leisure and work trips, while beach-nearby positioning keeps the coast in reach. A 4.1 rating across 1868 reviews indicates solid, broad appeal for guests who want dependable 4-star facilities in one place.

    See Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites
  11. Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica

    ★★★★4.11,841 reviews

    530 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, United States

    Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa

    • Outdoor pool
    • Spa
    • Parking

    Why stay hereHyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica on Pico Blvd features an outdoor salt water pool with a pool bar, plus a fitness centre and restaurant. Pets are allowed, family rooms are available and a games room with darts adds variety. A 4.1 rating from 1841 reviews suits guests who want a relaxed 4-star base with swimming, dining and entertainment on site, close to the beach.

    See Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica
  12. The Pierside

    ★★★★4.1374 reviews

    120 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, United States

    Best for: Families · Drivers

    • Outdoor pool
    • Parking
    • Pool bar

    Why stay hereClose to the pier end of town on Colorado Ave, this 4.1-rated hotel has an outdoor pool and pool bar, fitness centre and restaurant. Pets are allowed and family rooms are available, with valet parking and express check-in. Beach proximity and a minibar in rooms round it out for short seaside breaks.

    See The Pierside
  13. onefinestay Mabery Road

    ★★★★

    Mabery Road Ca 90402 Santa Monica Santa Monica, Santa Monica, United States

    Best for: Business trips

    • Internet access

    Why stay hereonefinestay Mabery Road is a 4-star property with a short facility list: conference halls, internet access, laundry service, lifts and a restaurant. It is aimed at guests who need meeting space and a restaurant on site, with laundry support for longer stays. No guest rating or review count is available, so the choice rests on those practical amenities.

    See onefinestay Mabery Road
  14. Double Suite Santa Monica Free Parking

    ★★★★

    California Avenue 21St Street, Santa Monica, United States

    Best for: Families · Drivers

    • Free car parking
    • Family rooms
    • Kitchen

    Why stay hereDouble Suite Santa Monica Free Parking on California Avenue offers apartment-style 4-star accommodation with a kitchen, dishwasher, oven, microwave and refrigerator, plus free car parking and free wifi. Family rooms, a patio and terrace, and beach-nearby positioning make it well suited to guests staying longer or travelling with children. Tennis, surfing, diving and golf are listed for active days; no guest rating is available.

    See Double Suite Santa Monica Free Parking

The shortlist side by side

HotelClassGuest ratingReviewsParkingBreakfastPool or spaPets
Channel Road Inn A Four Sisters Inn★★★★4.8177Yes–––
Shangri La Santa Monica★★★★4.884Yes–YesYes
Regent Santa Monica Beach★★★★4.881YesYesYesYes
The Huntley Hotel★★★★4.51,964YesYesYes–
The Georgian in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt★★★★4.41,068YesYes–Yes
Sandbourne Santa Monica Autograph Collection★★★★4.31,219YesYesYesYes
Palihouse Santa Monica★★★★4.3240––––
Shore Hotel★★★★4.21,692YesYesYesYes
Viceroy Santa Monica★★★★4.21,126YesYesYesYes
Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites★★★★4.11,868YesYesYes–
Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica★★★★4.11,841YesYesYesYes
The Pierside★★★★4.1374Yes–YesYes
onefinestay Mabery Road★★★★––––––
Double Suite Santa Monica Free Parking★★★★––Yes–––

From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.

How to choose

For top-rated stays

Channel Road Inn A Four Sisters Inn has 177 reviews and a garden with a fireplace, while Shangri La Santa Monica and Regent Santa Monica Beach offer pools, spas and fitness centres. Best for travellers who put guest scores first.

Channel Road Inn A Four Sisters Inn · Shangri La Santa Monica · Regent Santa Monica Beach

For families

Each of these lists family rooms, and most add an outdoor pool: Regent Santa Monica Beach, Sandbourne Santa Monica Autograph Collection, Shore Hotel, Viceroy Santa Monica, Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites and The Pierside. Several also offer cots, babysitting or kids facilities.

Regent Santa Monica Beach · The Huntley Hotel · Sandbourne Santa Monica Autograph Collection · Shore Hotel · Viceroy Santa Monica · Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites

For business travellers

Shangri La Santa Monica, The Huntley Hotel, The Georgian in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt and Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites all list a business centre, and each has a fitness centre and internet access for working stays.

Shangri La Santa Monica · The Huntley Hotel · The Georgian in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt · Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites

For beach proximity

These hotels list a beach nearby in their facilities, and they sit on Ocean Avenue, 2nd Street, 3rd Street, 4th Street, Pico Boulevard or Colorado Avenue, keeping the coast close at hand.

Regent Santa Monica Beach · The Huntley Hotel · The Georgian in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt · Sandbourne Santa Monica Autograph Collection · Shore Hotel · Viceroy Santa Monica

Questions, answered

Which hotels on this list are rated highest by guests?

Channel Road Inn A Four Sisters Inn, Shangri La Santa Monica and Regent Santa Monica Beach each hold a guest rating of 4.8 out of 5. The first has 177 reviews, the second 84 and the third 81.

Which hotels have an outdoor pool?

Shangri La Santa Monica, Regent Santa Monica Beach, Sandbourne Santa Monica Autograph Collection, Shore Hotel, Viceroy Santa Monica, Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites, Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica and The Pierside all list an outdoor pool. Viceroy Santa Monica also lists a kids pool.

Are there hotels with family rooms?

Yes. Regent Santa Monica Beach, The Huntley Hotel, The Georgian in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Shore Hotel, Viceroy Santa Monica, Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites, The Pierside and Double Suite Santa Monica Free Parking all list family rooms.

Which hotels allow pets?

Shangri La Santa Monica, The Georgian in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Sandbourne Santa Monica Autograph Collection, Shore Hotel, Viceroy Santa Monica, Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica and The Pierside list pets allowed.

Do any hotels have a spa or sauna?

Shangri La Santa Monica lists a spa, a sauna, a Jacuzzi and massage. Viceroy Santa Monica and The Huntley Hotel also list a Jacuzzi, and several others list a fitness centre.

How many hotels are on this shortlist and how large are they?

Review counts range from 84 at Shangri La Santa Monica to 1964 at The Huntley Hotel, which gives a sense of the difference in scale between the properties.

More ways to stay in Santa Monica