Pros

  • One block walk from Venice's famed Muscle Beach and Promenade
  • Hip rooms and suites with artistic details and seasonally curated minibars; some have ocean-facing balconies
  • Huge suite with a kitchenette and DJ booth, ideal for parties and events
  • High Rooftop Bar and lounge overlooks the ocean; summertime DJ sets
  • Barlo Kitchen + Cocktail serves California cuisine
  • Free passes to Gold's Gym and free bikes to borrow
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
  • Valet parking (for a fee)
  • Meeting room for rent
See More Pros

Cons

  • No pool or on-site fitness center
  • Pricey valet parking (consistent for Los Angeles)
  • Venice Beach is a bit dodgy late night
  • Slow elevator gets crowded
See More Cons

Bottom Line

If you're looking to have a fun time on Venice Beach, Hotel Erwin is an excellent choice. The mid-range spot is located one block from Muscle Beach and the Venice Beach Promenade, making it popular with surfers and beachgoers. The 119 rooms feature an updated '70s beach vibe, complete with pop art, seasonally curated minibars, and selfie mirrors. All rooms have balconies, some of them directly face the ocean. High Rooftop Bar is the hip outdoor lounge and restaurant, with incredible ocean views. Guests also get free passes to Gold's Gym and bikes to borrow, but there's no pool. Families that want to self-cater should check rates at Venice Breeze Suites Hotel

See More Bottom Line

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Erwin

Scene

Laidback family-owned hotel and a popular rooftop lounge and ocean views 

Entering the Erwin, you're likely to bump up against as many tattoos, piercings, skateboards, surfboards, and electric guitars as you are guests. L.A. tattoo artist Norm created the mural in the semicircular driveway, and framed photos of '60s and '70s folk, rock, and R&B legends (Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder) line the hallways. The front desk area bumps club music and is a constant parade of guests coming and going from the beach to the rooftop lounge. Up on the rooftop, there's a bouncer and a DJ booth (weekend sets in the summer) plus clusters of banquette-style seats with umbrellas and gorgeous ocean and beach views. Families do stay here, but most guests are couples and friends who want to enjoy Venice's beach and party scenes. Note that there's just one elevator bank for the rooftop and rooms, so waits can be long. 

See More Scene

Location

One block to famed Venice Beach, but directly on a well-traveled four-lane thoroughfare.

The Erwin sits on Pacific Avenue, the main north-south drag a little over one block inland from the well-known beach, a wide boardwalk chock-full of street performers and snack shops, and a paved path for bicyclists and rollerbladers that stretches all the way up to Santa Monica. The area is gentrified and safe, though visitors should be cautious about going to the beach late night. 

  • Less than a 15-minute walk to hip Abbot Kinney shops, restaurants, galleries, and cafes
  • 25-minute drive to Rodeo Drive/Beverly Hills in traffic
  • 30-minute drive to Hollywood Boulevard/Grauman's Chinese Theatre in traffic
  • 90-minute drive to Universal Studios in traffic
  • 20-minute drive to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
See More Location

Rooms

Fun and purposeful '70s beach vibe, all with balconies 

The large (400- to 425-square-foot) and airy rooms (some with ocean views) are decorated with a fun retro '70s vibe that's still modern with orange pendant lamps and green bolster pillows. Some rooms have mustard-yellow sectional sofas. Wallpaper patterned with artists' hands hangs behind the beds and "Wish You Were Here" painted on sliding bathroom doors are designed as a fun backdrop for selfies. All room comes standard with air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, coffeemaker, safe, and seasonally curated minibar by Whole Foods. Balconies are also standard, though not all of them face the ocean. Many rooms have large walk-in closets. Modern bathrooms have orange accent walls and sink basins, walk-in glass showers, hairdryers, Byrd toiletries (eco-friendly and invented by a surfer), and robes. The Red Bull Dogtown Suite caters especially to surfers and skateboarders with deep pockets. The design is quirky and the space is expansive with a kitchenette and DJ booth.

See More Rooms

Features

High Rooftop Bar, free gym passes, and bikes to borrow

Hotel Erwin doesn't have the space for a ton of features, there's no pool or on-site gym. High Rooftop Bar is the star of the show, with its ocean views, cushioned banquettes, summertime DJs, and winter heat lamps. Lobby-level Barlo Kitchen + Cocktails restaurant serves cooked-to-order breakfasts (Eggs Norwegian, Country Benedict, and Irish Oatmeal) and dinners (Barlo burgers, pork belly buns, market-price striped fish) -- but not lunch -- right off the lobby. Room service is available. Guests get free access to Gold's Gym and free bikes to borrow. There's a dedicated meeting room for events. Wi-Fi is free. Valet parking costs extra per night, which is typical in Los Angeles. 

See More Features

Things You Should Know About Hotel Erwin

Also Known As

  • Best Western Los Angeles
  • Los Angeles Best Western
  • Erwin Hotel Los Angeles

Room Types

  • Deluxe Partial Ocean View Room
  • Deluxe Room
  • Deluxe Two Room Suite
  • Dogtown Sweet
  • Full Ocean View Two-Room King Suite
  • Partial Ocean View Two Room Suite
  • Premier Ocean View King Room

Address

1697 Pacific Avenue, Venice Beach, Los Angeles, California 90291-3613, United States

Phone

(310) 452-1111

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Erwin

Scene

Laidback family-owned hotel and a popular rooftop lounge and ocean views 

Entering the Erwin, you're likely to bump up against as many tattoos, piercings, skateboards, surfboards, and electric guitars as you are guests. L.A. tattoo artist Norm created the mural in the semicircular driveway, and framed photos of '60s and '70s folk, rock, and R&B legends (Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder) line the hallways. The front desk area bumps club music and is a constant parade of guests coming and going from the beach to the rooftop lounge. Up on the rooftop, there's a bouncer and a DJ booth (weekend sets in the summer) plus clusters of banquette-style seats with umbrellas and gorgeous ocean and beach views. Families do stay here, but most guests are couples and friends who want to enjoy Venice's beach and party scenes. Note that there's just one elevator bank for the rooftop and rooms, so waits can be long. 

See More Scene

Location

One block to famed Venice Beach, but directly on a well-traveled four-lane thoroughfare.

The Erwin sits on Pacific Avenue, the main north-south drag a little over one block inland from the well-known beach, a wide boardwalk chock-full of street performers and snack shops, and a paved path for bicyclists and rollerbladers that stretches all the way up to Santa Monica. The area is gentrified and safe, though visitors should be cautious about going to the beach late night. 

  • Less than a 15-minute walk to hip Abbot Kinney shops, restaurants, galleries, and cafes
  • 25-minute drive to Rodeo Drive/Beverly Hills in traffic
  • 30-minute drive to Hollywood Boulevard/Grauman's Chinese Theatre in traffic
  • 90-minute drive to Universal Studios in traffic
  • 20-minute drive to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
See More Location

Rooms

Fun and purposeful '70s beach vibe, all with balconies 

The large (400- to 425-square-foot) and airy rooms (some with ocean views) are decorated with a fun retro '70s vibe that's still modern with orange pendant lamps and green bolster pillows. Some rooms have mustard-yellow sectional sofas. Wallpaper patterned with artists' hands hangs behind the beds and "Wish You Were Here" painted on sliding bathroom doors are designed as a fun backdrop for selfies. All room comes standard with air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, coffeemaker, safe, and seasonally curated minibar by Whole Foods. Balconies are also standard, though not all of them face the ocean. Many rooms have large walk-in closets. Modern bathrooms have orange accent walls and sink basins, walk-in glass showers, hairdryers, Byrd toiletries (eco-friendly and invented by a surfer), and robes. The Red Bull Dogtown Suite caters especially to surfers and skateboarders with deep pockets. The design is quirky and the space is expansive with a kitchenette and DJ booth.

See More Rooms

Features

High Rooftop Bar, free gym passes, and bikes to borrow

Hotel Erwin doesn't have the space for a ton of features, there's no pool or on-site gym. High Rooftop Bar is the star of the show, with its ocean views, cushioned banquettes, summertime DJs, and winter heat lamps. Lobby-level Barlo Kitchen + Cocktails restaurant serves cooked-to-order breakfasts (Eggs Norwegian, Country Benedict, and Irish Oatmeal) and dinners (Barlo burgers, pork belly buns, market-price striped fish) -- but not lunch -- right off the lobby. Room service is available. Guests get free access to Gold's Gym and free bikes to borrow. There's a dedicated meeting room for events. Wi-Fi is free. Valet parking costs extra per night, which is typical in Los Angeles. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Beach

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.