Top L.A. Hotels
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Channel Road Inn
Quaint country inn (think four-poster beds and in-room fireplaces) meets the Santa Monica surf lifestyle at this serene B&B housed in a Colonial Revival home. Grab a hearty breakfast (Grand Marnier French toast, anyone?) then walk a block to the beach. In the evening, unwind with wine and freshly baked cookies.
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Hotel Erwin
Stay within steps of the funky Venice Beach boardwalk at this retro-styled hipster hotel. Bright colors and geometric prints give the rooms a mod, upbeat feel, but don’t spend too much time inside. Take to the rooftop lounge, a local hot spot, for crafty cocktails with unfettered ocean views.
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Malibu Beach Inn
This beachfront boutique has star cred: it’s owned by David Geffen, and the balcony of each shell-toned guest room overlooks Carbon Beach (a.k.a. Billionaire’s Beach for its rich and famous neighbors). Savor the celeb-studded Malibu good life with an alfresco sunset dinner at the Carbon Beach Club restaurant or with the hotel’s beach yoga and boot camp classes.
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Shade Hotel
The interiors at this contemporary Manhattan Beach boutique may have been inspired by luxury yachts, but the vibe is California casual. Hang loose by soaking in your in-room Jacuzzi tub (set beneath “chromatherapy” lights), imbibing in the chic Zinc lounge, or taking one of the Strand cruisers for a complimentary spin.
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Shutters on the Beach
Modeled after a Nantucket beach house (albeit a rather sprawling one), Shutters brings East Coast–style chic to the Pacific shore. Exploit the oceanfront location (right near the Santa Monica pier) with an alfresco meal, a surf lesson, yoga on the beach, or a bike ride on a Kate Spade cruiser.
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Viceroy Santa Monica
If you can peel your eyes away from your room’s ocean view at this haute hotel, you’ll be dazzled by the green-on-white Hollywood Regency décor. Equally retro-glam is buzzing Cameo Bar, the lobby/poolside lounge where you may want to join the festive scene in the cabanas and skip the beach altogether.