Hotel Shangri La Santa Monica — Hotel Review Rating: 4.0 Pearls

Oyster Review Summary

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Oyster Hotel Review

Reporter: Christine E.
Updated: December 18, 2009

 Scene

Originally built in 1939 and owned by the same family since 1983, this gleaming white Art Deco jewel houses just 71 rooms, including suites. With an utter absence of straight lines or angles, the hotel's exterior unmistakably evokes a cruise ship. Because the building enjoys strict landmark status, its recent two-year, $30 million makeover didn't allow for any significant structural changes. So L.A. designer Marc Smith subtly and ingeniously embarked on a maritime motif.

The dazzling pool and lounge area with striped cushions, tiered levels of shiny wood, and lots of spherical shapes honors the original architecture and calls to mind the Queen Mary. Guest rooms feel like first-class staterooms, but are bright and airy, and forgo any garish opulence. A small, but well-equipped fitness center and a memorable restaurant round out the radiant property. And inside and out, the hotel aspires to an impressive level of environmental stewardship.

Plus, the best of downtown Santa Monica is literally outside Shangri-La's door: the Santa Monica Farmers' Market, restaurants, and, of course, the beach. Guests are a mixed, primarily refined bunch: straight, gay, European, Australian, film and TV movers and shakers -- and most are unapologetically groovy types who appreciate a server sailing over to their poolside cabana with a well-made artisanal cocktail or two. Over the years, Sean Penn, Bill Clinton, Diane Keaton, and Madonna have slept here, adding to the Shangri-La's pedigree.

A few blocks away and in the same price range, the intimate Oceana evokes a similarly unprententious yet luxurious mood with even fewer rooms (63). The nearby Huntley is less expensive than both properties, but lacks a pool, spa, or prime Ocean Avenue location.

 Service

This luxe service is nothing less than subtly superlative. The word "No" doesn't seem to be in the vocabularies of Shangri-La staffers. Alessandra, a concierge, appeared omniscient as I watched her execute guests' whims. Bellman Max took me on a grand tour of my room, pointing out everything from the minibar and dimmer lights to the original windows and European shower fixtures. One evening, I asked for turndown service a bit late, at 7:30 p.m. Two minutes later not one but two people were at my door. (And they closed the drapes, folded back the duvet, turned on the radio, and left cookies with impressive speed.) Room service breakfast arrived quickly and artfully presented; and the hotel automatically adds the tip, which spares guests the hassle.

• First-rate, highly professional concierge will search tirelessly for the best restaurant tables, spa treatments, surfing lessons, Jet Ski rentals, and more (on duty noon to 8 p.m.).
• Attentive poolside food and drink service
• Turndown service, with freshly baked cookies
• Valet parking for $33 a day, including tax
• 24-hour room service, 18 percent gratuity included

 Location

Hotel Shangri-La sits on the edge of downtown Santa Monica -- the arty hotel-packed beachfront community west of downtown L.A. -- directly opposite the bluffs overlooking the beach. Along Palisades Park's jogging path on the west side of Ocean Avenue, locals run, walk dogs, and do boot-camp exercises with personal trainers. Two blocks east on Wilshire lies the Third Street Promenade, a pedestrian-only outdoor mall with shops, a movie theater, and national chain restaurants including Hooters and Johnny Rockets.

Also, nearby Venice Beach, popular with tourists because of its cool cafes and restaurants on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, and its large concentration of hippies, skateboarders, and surfers, doesn't have many fine hotels other than the Erwin; many travelers elect to stay in Santa Monica and drive 10 minutes south to visit Venice.

• Five-minute walk to the beach; guests must cross Ocean Avenue to Palisades Park, walk over a footbridge above the Pacific Coast Highway
• Around the corner from the pedestrian-only Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Farmers' Market, restaurants, shopping, and spas
• 10-minute walk to famous Santa Monica Pier, with ferris wheel, video game arcade, and carnival-style amusements
• 10-minute drive south to popular Venice Beach and its skateboarders, surfers, and hip restaurants and coffee shops
• 20-minute drive to Rodeo Drive/Beverly Hills in traffic
• 80-minute drive to Universal Studios in traffic
• 30-minute drive to Hollywood Boulevard/Grauman's Chinese Theatre in traffic
• 30 to 45-minute drive to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

 Rooms

An Art Deco aesthetic, with a dash of minimalism, prevails. Ultra-comfy rooms look pristine, feel lavish yet unfussy, and include almost every a guest could desire -- except robes and slippers. Thankfully, the nifty original windows survived the recent overhaul, and peek-a-boo windows from the bathroom to the bedroom are a clever update. One complaint: Dark wood floors have been polished to a sheen, but I could hear guests walking around above me.

• Deluxe Ocean View King Rooms are about 400 square feet, while City View Queen Rooms are 300 square feet.
• One- and two-bedroom suites with kitchenettes feel like large, luxury lofts, as does the over-the-top Rock-and-Roll Suite, with what the hotel cheekily dubs a six-person shower.
• New, dreamy Sealy Posturepedic Reserve Ultra Plush mattress with no box spring, but on elevated wood platform; lightweight poly-fiber-filled duvet; fantastic quality MatteoGuest sheets with gray stripe accents; squishy yet comfortable no-name pillows
• Free Wi-Fi (but may cost $10 a day in near future, according to the front desk)
• Top tech: 42-inch Philips wall-mounted HD TV with Showtime and HBO; iHome iPod dock/radio/clock
• Minibar plus separate "munchie drawer"
• Bathroom walls have diagonal white subway tiles; Caroma toilets with European dual-flush system in separate area behind sliding barn door (more Euro touches); marble-topped sink
• Deep, marble-topped soaking tub (53-inches long by 35-inches wide by 25-inches high) with European shower system and anti-scalding device, where hot water turns on only after pressing a button
• Royal Collection towels aren't stellar; nice Natura Green toiletries; no robes or slippers
• Spacious entry area, but not much closet space; stainless steel hangers; safe can fit a laptop
• Stylish leather and stainless steel desk chair; faux-velvet swiveling lounge chair with ottoman

 Features

• Chic, expansive, tiered pool area with a beautiful design that plays on the hotel's nautical theme
• Secreted away from the street in a courtyard with music wafting through; plenty of room to chill out; delicious food and cocktails delivered
• Pool and hot tub close to bathers at an early 8 p.m.
• Extra-large, 77-inch-long Terry Town hooded towels available poolside
• Poolside bar and lounge open to the public
• DJs Thursday through Sunday evenings until midnight; large, oblong gas fire pit surrounded by Adirondack-like cushioned chairs
• Private poolside cabanas (that actually look semiprivate) rent for $200 a day, plus a $500 food and beverage minimum
• Suite 700, newly opened rooftop bar where hotel guests get first dibs on reservations.
• Nicely outfitted fitness center in basement, tucked away from the rest of the hotel; some natural light from two small windows
• Life Fitness cardio and circuit weight training equipment (two elliptical machines, two treadmills, and stationary bike have personal TV screens), Hampton free weights, yoga mats, an exercise ball, towels, and free SoBe lifewater
• No spa; for that, see nearby Oceana, Fairmont Miramar, or Shutters on the Beach
• Same-day laundry and dry cleaning services

 Beach

Although most guest rooms have shimmering sea views, the Pacific Coast Highway and towering bluffs lie between Hotel Shangri-La and Santa Monica Beach. After crossing Ocean Avenue, beachgoers navigate an easy path through Palisades Park, then cross a footbridge above the busy highway before they reach the 100-yard-wide stretch of sand. The water sometimes smells acrid as a result of the enormous pollution Los Angeles generates, but the waves at Santa Monica Beach are a magnet for surfers.

• Sand extends gradually into the water -- ideal for swimming or boogie-boarding (though runoff can be a concern).
• Lifeguard stations at regular intervals along the beach during summer and early fall
• A 22-mile bike path runs along the beach, drawing cyclists and rollerbladers.
• Multiple shops near the bike path rent beach gear.
• Beachside snack shops serve fast food.
• Public-use volleyball nets
• Crowds and litter can amass, particularly during summer.

 Eco Initiatives

Hotel Shangri-La puts eco-consciousness into serious practice. Aside from typical nods to the environment (nonsmoking rooms, using recycled plastic whenever possible), the hotel is striving to be awarded a two-year, renewable membership in the Santa Monica Green Business Certification Program, which upholds extremely strict criteria for "conserving resources, preventing pollution, and minimizing waste."

• Hotel operates its own graywater system -- a process that purifies excess water from washing machines, dishwashers, sinks, and showers and reuses it (typically for irrigation), or releases it as clean runoff.
• 75 percent of food comes from the Santa Monica Farmers' Market, located behind the hotel.
• Solar-powered pool (only one in L.A.) heats water with on-site solar panels.
• On-site filtration system separates Santa Monica tap water into both still and sparkling water, which are then served in carafes, eliminating the need for bottled water.
• Packaging for Natura Green toiletries made primarily from biodegradable PSM (Plastarch Material)
• Low-flow, dual-flush Caroma toilets
• Housekeeping cleans with nontoxic, organic products.
• Hotel gives guests who drive hybrid vehicles get $5 off overnight valet parking

 Family

Sure, there's a pool (and free cribs, and rollaway beds for $25 a night), but Hotel Shangri-La is the kind of low-key hideaway that gives you the distinct feeling that its guests choose it precisely to avoid children (and not just because of the in-room intimacy kit: Lifestyles condoms, personal lubricant, antiseptic wipes, $10). Plus, there are no connecting rooms, just super-luxe suites.

 Pet Friendly

Dogs are welcome, but must be housebroken and small enough to fit inside an over-the-shoulder bag.

 Cleanliness

One could practically eat off the guest room floors, and the entire property feels freshly washed, laundered, cleaned, dusted, and polished (with the exception of pool lounge chair cushions, some of which were already grubby from overuse). Plus, the spotless bathrooms glimmer.

 Food

The Dining Room serves simple and pricey dishes like chicken paillard for $24, a $16 shrimp cocktail, and monkfish with lentils and pearl onions for $24. The eye-catching indoor seating and bar area overlooks Ocean Avenue. The rounded dark wood chairs, hanging lamps, colorful area rugs, and white curtains in the outdoor seating area near the pool conjure up images of a private yacht en route to Casablanca or Istanbul.

• The Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with entrees in the $16 to $24 range; the chef gets 75 percent of ingredients at the Santa Monica Farmers' Market.
• Newly opened Suite 700 bar and lounge serves fancy cocktails and tasty bar snacks; advance reservations only. (In-house guests get preference over the general public.)
• 24-hour room service; morning cappuccino is a steep $6, but it's huge.
• A host of Third Street and Ocean Avenue restaurants are steps away.

 Bottom Line

A slick and inviting boutique hotel overlooking the Pacific, fresh off a $30 million renovation, with 71 exquisite rooms and lustrous interiors in an iconic Art Deco building that displays the curvy contours of an elegant ocean liner. For a modish and luxurious ocean-side getaway, the Shangri-La is mighty close to perfection.