The Best Beach Hotels Near Los Angeles

Arguably one of the most iconic properties in Santa Monica, Shutters on the Beach has been a go-to spot for both visiting travelers and Los Angeles’s entertainment industry crowd. In 2005 the hotel received a makeover led by Michael S. Smith, the same interior designer behind the Obama White House. The lobby is incredibly inviting, with two large fireplaces and a Living Room lounge that offers live entertainment on most evenings. That same warmth translates to the accommodations, where spacious quarters feel like a coastal home with its hardwood floors, hand-woven carpets, shuttered doors, and blue accents. However, many don’t offer ocean views, so keep that in mind when booking a room. While you’re here, enjoy the cabana-lined pool; have concierge arrange a picnic on the beach; pay a visit to the spa; or borrow one of the property’s customized beach cruisers for a spin on the bike path. If you get a little hungry, there are two on-site dining options, including an all-day beachfront café and a courtyard restaurant with an Italian-inspired, seafood-forward menu.

• Outdoor pool
• Lobby lounge with live entertainment most evenings
• Bike rentals
• Alfresco dining

While the family-owned Sea Shore Motel doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, its central location on Main Street provides guests a convenient and affordable option in Santa Monica. Spend a little more and book the Deluxe Suite for additional space, a full kitchen, and balcony. There’s a sundeck on the property, but you’ll certainly want to take the time to walk a couple blocks down to the beach. And while there’s an on-site café for a quick bite, there are plenty of great restaurants just steps away from the motel. Complimentary parking is also offered here, a rarity in the area.

• Free parking
• Sundeck

With its towering palm trees hovering over the outdoor pool, a massive Moreton Bay Fig Tree that was planted in the 1880s, and a calming koi pond with waterfalls, you’ll instantly forget that you’re in buzzy Santa Monica once you pass through the gates of Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. This five-acre oasis is certainly suitable for all types of travelers, but it’s a great choice if you’re traveling with kids. Little ones are spoiled with welcome amenities, child-size robes, and beach activities and games at the Miramar Beach Club. The 297-key property also has a large range of rooms, but for the utmost comfort and privacy you’ll want to splurge on one of the standalone bungalows. During your downtime, borrow one of the beach cruisers, unwind at the spa, book a class at the fitness center, take a swing at the golf simulator, or call up one of the house BMW cars to take you down to the pier. When hunger strikes there are four food and dining options, including Fig Restaurant, which locally sources ingredients from Santa Monica Farmers Market, and the Baja-chic indoor-outdoor Bungalow lounge. If you’re traveling with a pet, your furry family member is also more than welcome at the resort, and at no additional cost, too.

• Beach club
• Outdoor pool
• Bike rentals
• Golf simulator
• BMW resort car

Like it’s sister property, Shutters on the Beach, Hotel Casa Del Mar has a residential vibe that’s warm and inviting with its wicker furniture, potted greenery, and patterned rugs. Accommodations here are spacious, starting at 400 square feet, and are decorated largely in beige, blue, and pastel green hues. Plus, all of the rooms boast marble bathrooms with hydrothermal massage tubs so that you can really unwind in your own quarters. But if you’re looking for some additional relaxation there’s also a full-service spa, or feel free to lounge by the oceanfront pool. And while there are three on-site dining options, including a lounge with nightly live entertainment, definitely consider a catered picnic on the beach for one of your meals.

• Outdoor pool
• Jacuzzi
• Award-winning spa
• Malin + Goetz toiletries
• Live entertainment

If a chic beach house is your vibe, then the Surfrider Malibu will instantly become a favorite. Formerly a 1950s motel, the property has since been transformed into one of the most visually appealing and stylish hotels in the area. Natural materials like teak, limestone, and white oak are plentiful, and are complimented by a neutral color palette. Some accommodations are on the smaller side, but the majority of them boast furnished terraces with ocean views, and some even have the added bonus of a hammock. While you’re here, don’t miss out on the rooftop bar and restaurant. Reserved just for hotel guests, the alfresco venue is complete with a firepit and serves up coastal-Californian fare showcasing locally sourced, sustainable, and organic ingredients. And before you head over to the beach, which is just right across the street, make sure to borrow one of the hotel’s complimentary surfboards or stand-up baddleboards.

• Complimentary Mini Coopers
• Complimentary surfboards and stand-up paddleboards
• Guest-only rooftop bar and restaurant
• Grown Alchemist toiletries
• Complimentary Netflix accounts

Designed with Japanese ryokan in mind, this serene 16-key retreat is a modern take on the traditional inns that are beloved in the Land of the Rising Sun. The property captures Japan’s minimalist aesthetic with its neutral hues and natural materials like teak and limestone. Geared toward adults, each accommodation at Nobu Ryokan Malibu boasts soaking tubs, skylights, and private decks or patios, while some also come furnished with a fireplace—all perfect elements for you to strike up some romance with your significant other. Plus, if you’re a fan of the brand’s restaurants and feel like staying in, room service is crafted by Nobu Malibu.

• Complimentary valet parking
• In-room dining crafted by Nobu Malibu
• Loro Piana cashmere robes
• 800-thread-count bed linens
• Custom-made linen yukatas

• Rooftop pool
• Ayurvedic spa
• Complimentary fitness classes
• Bike rentals
• Aesop toiletries
• Live entertainment