Shore Hotel Santa Monica

I pulled into the Shore Hotel, conveniently located on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica and directly across the street from Santa Monica Pier and the ocean. The valet immediately assisted with my rental car and luggage. The airy, open lobby sets the décor tone for the entire property. Unlimited complimentary coffee and citrus water are available throughout the day.

The hotel reception staff greeted us immediately (I was traveling with a friend) with a glass of Champagne as they checked us in, asking what newspapers we wanted delivered and if we had any other special requests. We were soon on the way to our room, where our luggage was already waiting.

At the environmentally responsible Shore Hotel, all of the guestrooms feature eco-friendly lighting and temperature controls and a green clean program. The property, the first and only newly built, sustainable hotel in Santa Monica, is LEED Gold certified. Some other features of the room include wood from sustainable forests, low-flow water fixtures and maximized access to natural daylight to reduce energy consumption.

The room popped with bursts of teal and orange. The bathroom was bright, with plenty of towels and a glass-enclosed shower; a privacy screen offered discretion from the rest of the guestroom. The space was minimal, but functional.

The Shore Hotel, Santa Monica, California © VXLA | Flickr

The artwork on display in the on-site gift shop, crafted by local artists, tempted me. I liked that the Shore Hotel brought the flavor of the local area and talent into the on-site amenities.

For on-site dining, Blue Plate Taco shares the vision of the hotel, serving fresh, local ingredients and organic meats. Room service is available, but the hours are limited.

The valet system works via text message. Guests must go underground one level to pick up vehicles, and the downstairs lounge, with couches and chairs, was impressive —offering somewhere to sit, put your stuff down and wait if your car isn’t ready.

Sadly, I only visited the Shore Hotel for one night, so I was not able to fully experience all the property offers. At night, the exterior is lit up, and the glass structure looks modern and hip — a place to see and be seen in Santa Monica. From the location, I walked everywhere I needed to be in the area, and I could see the iconic pier sign from my guestroom balcony — also a great spot to read and listen to the surf.

Shore Hotel Santa Monica

1515 Ocean Ave.

Santa Monica, CA 90401

310 458 1515