The 12 best L.A. beach hotels for 2026, from Venice to Santa Monica

💎 Best for: attentive, luxurious service

Returning to the West Coast after a long absence, IHG’s flagship Regent Santa Monica Beach occupies the former Loews property along Ocean Avenue. It was designed by Wimberly Interiors, and the resort offers 167 oversized guestrooms starting at a massive 720 square feet—complete with ocean views, soaking tubs, Dyson hairdryers, and Perricone MD amenities.

Four distinct dining concepts anchor the stay, headlined by James Beard winner Michael Mina’s Mediterranean-inspired Orla (featuring a tableside 24K-gold baklava sundae) and the yacht-like Orla Bar. Guests can also enjoy poolside dining at Azure, or pick up coffee and Caribbean-influenced pastries at Ayesha Curry’s Sweet July Café.

The service here is intensely personalized via dedicated Regent Experience Managers, who pre-stock rooms based on guest preferences. Standout features include Beach Butler setup service, free e-bike rentals, a complimentary Mercedes-Benz house car, and the West Coast’s only Guerlain Wellness Spa.

Time Out tip: Don’t drag heavy beach gear onto the sand yourself—I seriously implore you to take advantage of the hotel’s Beach Butler service. A staff member will walk you down to the boardwalk, lead you directly to a private, pre-arranged setup for two on the sand, and even take your food and drink order right from your lounge chair. It’s oh-so luxurious. 

Address: 1700 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Price: Rooms start at $1,100 per night.
Closest Transport: Metro E Line Downtown Santa Monica station; Big Blue Bus routes 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8.

➡️ Check out Time Out’s ultimate guide to Santa Monica. 

💎 Best for: a ridiculously decadent spa vacation

Standing 14 stories high, Long Beach’s historic Breakers Hotel originally opened in 1926. After stints as a Red Cross headquarters, WWII air watch base, Hollywood hotspot, and retirement home, it reopened as the fully restored Fairmont Breakers. The 185 reimagined rooms and 22 suites pair understated coastal luxury—like marble baths and Le Labo amenities—with restored 1920s plasterwork in the lobby.

Five distinct dining concepts anchor the property: the iconic 13th-floor Sky Room serving high-end California-Continental fare with dramatic tableside flair; Halo, Long Beach’s only rooftop bar with sunset cocktails and live DJs; moody lounge Alter Ego; lobby restaurant Nettuno; and solarium-style La Sala.

Beyond dining, guest perks include the city’s only luxury spa, a two-story fitness center with gear delivery, and a third-floor pool terrace. It’s ideal for exploring nearby Shoreline Village or Retro Row.

Time Out tip: Plan a sunset bar-hop without leaving the building: you can start with a signature cocktail and the tableside Bananas Foster at the iconic Sky Room on the 13th floor, then head straight up to Halo—Long Beach’s first and only open-air rooftop bar—for live DJ sets and 360-degree views of the harbor skyline.

Address: 210 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
Price: Rooms start at $271 per night.
Closest transport: Take the Metro A Line to the Downtown Long Beach Metro Blue Line station, then head west on 1st Street for five minutes toward Pine Avenue.

➡️ Discover Time Out’s collection of the very best hotels in L.A.

💎 Best for: proper beachy atmosphere

Formerly a cool retreat for hot Hollywood stars and now a sister to Casa del Mar, Shutters has a relaxed but decidedly upscale style. Filled with comfortable sofas, club chairs, and prints by modern masters such as David Hockney, the lobby mirrors the beach-cottage ambience of the rooms and suites, which in turn feature lovely, dark hardwood floors and the hotel’s signature white shutters. Guests who prefer gentle pampering to the myriad outdoor beach activities can spend a day at the spa or sit poolside sipping wine and taking in the ocean views. The luxury is low-key, but it’s luxury all the same.

Time Out tip: Shutters offers complimentary two-hour bike rentals, allowing you to hop onto the Marvin Braude Bike Trail directly in front of the property and cruise down to Venice Beach in under 10 minutes.

Address: 1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Price: Starts at $850–$1,100/night
Closest transport: Metro E Line (Downtown Santa Monica Station); Big Blue Bus Routes 1, 8. 

➡️ Have a read of Time Out’s collection of the best day trips from L.A.

Proper Hotel is a stunning combination of contemporary design and the whimsical character of its 1928 landmark building. Rooms come well equipped with Kelly Wearstler throws and bathrobes, Bellino Fine Linens, and Aesop bathroom toiletries for all your luxury needs—and wants. Dine in one of the two on-site bar-restaurant hybrids (opt for the breezy rooftop vibes of Calabra) before heading up to the rooftop deck—complete with pool and yes, you guessed it, another bar. 

Time Out tip: If you fancy slowing down the pace of life for a hot minute, check out the 3,000-square-foot spa and yoga terrace—or head to the fitness center, if you’re feeling it.

Address: 700 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Price: Starts at $520–$700/night
Closest transport: Metro E Line (Downtown Santa Monica Station); Big Blue Bus Routes 1, 2, 3. 

Formally the destination of choice for Hollywood’s upper echelons, this 1915 landmark has swapped the tuxedos for a more hip, low-brow hangout for the creative nomads. The hotel features a boho-industrial vibe which is every bit as stylish as it sounds: skin rugs, exposed brick walls, wicker chairs, tapestries and cool wall art are just some of the things you’ll find here. All this blends with modern amenities and stunning views of the Pacific to have you in full vacation mode. And if you like mingling with the local crowd, you’re in the perfect sport for it. Nearby, you’ll find the iconic Venice Skate Park, the boardwalk and, of course, the beach.

Time Out tip: Surfboard hire is included in your destination amenity fee. 

Address: 5 Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291
Price: Starts at $280–$400/night
Closest transport: Metro Bus Routes 33 & 108 (Main St / Grand Ave or Venice Blvd stops); Santa Monica Big Blue Bus Route 1

This meticulously styled boutique lodging literally has steps down to the boardwalk and the ocean, which is pretty neat. Meanwhile, inside Hotel Erwin, you can relax with a very SoCal bite to eat at Kassi To Go or enjoy drinks and salads, skewers and mezza on the roof at Kassi. If you really want to splash out, book the Oceanview King Suite, which comes with a separate living/dining room, a massive flat screen and a private balcony.

Time Out tip: Beach towels are complimentary—collect one from reception. 

Address: 1697 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291
Price: Starts at $250–$380/night
Closest transport: Metro Bus Route 33 (Windward / Main St stop); Santa Monica Big Blue Bus Route 1. 

Located on the sand, close to Santa Monica’s shops and restaurants, this elegant and architecturally significant hotel is a local landmark. Most of the plush rooms and suites offer ocean and coastline views; for a really opulent stay, reserve one of the two-story penthouse suites or the super-deluxe presidential suite. An afternoon at the spa is a vacation in itself; salon services can be enjoyed in one of five Mediterranean-style treatment rooms or, better yet, under a cabana on the fifth-floor pool deck. The bar in the ornate and well-furnished lobby is a popular meeting spot for the bronzed and beautiful locals. 

Time Out tip: Chez Jay, one of Santa Monica’s most iconic restaurants, is just an eight minute walk from the hotel.

Address: 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Price: Starts at $900–$1,200/night
Closest transport: Metro E Line (Downtown Santa Monica Station); Big Blue Bus Routes 1, 8

This oceanfront spot proves that staying on the beach doesn’t have to come at a premium and saving a few bucks doesn’t have to mean slumming it. Rooms are bright, clean, and comfortable—it’s all you really need when the sand is just a few steps away. Consider reserving one of the hotel’s limited number of parking spots, lest you have to trek halfway across Venice to find a spot.

Time Out tip: Make the most of the hotel’s complimentary beach kit—it includes boogie boards, beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas, available right at the front desk.

Address: 2819 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Price: Starts at $220–$350/night
Closest transport: Culver CityBus Line 1 (Washington Blvd / Ocean Front Walk stop); Metro Bus Route 108

This beach is located on the sand, Malibu Country Mart is within a mile, and Malibu Pier is right next door, where fabulous breaks provide some of the best longboard surfing in Southern California. The inn offers a couple of room types, all of which come with a private balcony and face the water in some fashion. It’s not cheap, but that’s the price for your own slice of paradise on one of L.A.’s most coveted stretches of beach.

Time Out tip: Catching the sunset? Stop by Malibu Farm Pier Cafe—they accept evening reservations from 4.30pm. 

Address: 22800 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
Price: Starts at $950–$1,300/night
Closest transport: Metro Bus Route 134 (PCH / Malibu Pier stop)

Welcome to paradise. Situated on an oceanside bluff in posh Rancho Palos Verdes, the picturesque resort is a mecca of relaxation and resort life. The 102-acre resort boasts a nine-hole golf course, spa, four pools (including adult-only) and eight—count ’em, eight—restaurants. And if that isn’t enough to keep you busy, there’s also paddleboarding, snorkeling and horseback riding. Accommodations range from the usual rooms and suites to larger, more luxurious bungalows, casitas and villas. Rumor has it that even a few Hollywood films were filmed here, so be sure to show your good side when lounging by the pool.

Time Out tip: Keen for an explore? Make use of the Destinations by Lexus perk to take out a complimentary Lexus loaner vehicle for up to three hours to cruise along the Palos Verdes Peninsula bluffs.

Address: 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Price: Starts at $600–$900/night
Closest transport: Palos Verdes Transit Route 225 / Metro Bus Route 246 (Palos Verdes Dr South stops)

Referring to itself as a boutique hotel and established all the way back in 1911, Venice Beach House was created by the owner of the Los Angeles Daily Journal. Intricately designed, it features nine completely unique guest rooms and suites. There’s the pier suite for example, which comes complete with an ocean view, a comfy king-sized bed, and a separate lounge space. Some of the other rooms offer a balcony or garden view. Staying here, you’re not far from trendy Abbot Kinney Boulevard where you can find shopping, fine dining and sightseeing.

Time Out tip: You’re less than a 10-minute walk from the Venice Canals. 

Address: 1530 Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Price: Starts at $350–$550/night
Closest transport: Metro Bus Route 33 (Venice Blvd / Shell Ave stop); Santa Monica Big Blue Bus Route 1

Just steps from the ocean and pier, Viceroy Santa Monica is the perfect beach getaway for surfers and sunloungers alike. Once you set foot in the lobby from there on out, it’s nothing but chill vibes, salt waves, sunshine and cocktail umbrellas. The rooms are brightly furnished with beachy colors accompanied by contemporary wall art and furnishings, including spunky mirrors shaped kind of like a surfboard—nice touch. Some rooms have epic panoramas of the Pacific, so you’ll want to put in a request for one of those. Elsewhere in this hotel, you’ll discover the art of laid-back luxury by hanging out at one of two pools and cabanas. 

Time Out tip: Getting around couldn’t be any easier in this walkable beachside haven, but you can also rent a bicycle for a little more adventure. 

Address: 1819 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Price: Starts at $500–$750/night
Closest transport: Metro E Line (Downtown Santa Monica Station); Big Blue Bus Routes 1, 7, 8