It’s the month of LOVE and if you are looking for ideas on how to spend your Valentine’s weekend, I’ll give you one! Book a romantic staycation by the beach.
Los Angeles (The city of Angels) – beaming with mid 70s temperatures, pristine beaches, tons of nightlife and restaurant options, and the infamous, touristy Hollywood, is the best place to vacation during the months of winter. So last week, Naveen and I packed our bags and flew to LA, to enjoy a quintessential California getaway.
We both have lived in the city while we were students and had covered most of the touristy spots and Hollywood nightlife. So we decided to do a romantic staycation – enjoy the city and beach life from a different perspective and checked into the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel for the ultimate LA treat.
Read along for more details on our staycation and how you can book yours too.
Location
The Loews Santa Monica Beach hotel is a luxury hotel , located on Oceans Ave, Santa Monica. The beachfront property is the closest hotel to the Santa Monica Pier and has unobstructed views of the ocean from most of the rooms. It is walking distance from the Third Street Promenade (major shopping and dining center in Santa Monica) , Tongva Park(a modern urban park) and the beach.
The hotel is also within a short driving distance from some of the famous beaches in LA- Venice Beach, El Matador State Beach and Malibu. (other great places to explore in LA)
Check-In
As you enter through the glass doors you are instantly whisked away into luxury: a grand lobby set with tall modern columns and floor to ceiling views of the ocean throwing off the ‘coast meets the city’ vibe. The expansive lobby is adorned with a stylish lounge, ocean inspired check-in desk and a buzzy tapas bar.
The check-in process itself is super quick, safe and contact less. Everything at the hotel speaks modern luxury at its best.
Rooms and Suites
The beachfront oasis serves up the sun, sand, surf, and a taste of Southern California living at its finest and the rooms and suites are a great reflection of that. All the rooms are designed with large windows, (which fill the room with ample sunlight), sleek bathrooms, neutrals shades of sea & sky and feature oceanfront views with balconies. Some of the suites add a private patio with fire pits; a wonderful spot to relax and sip cocktails at sunset.
We checked-in to our oceanfront suite and were swooned by the grand welcome – glasses of champagne and a Charcuterie cheese board waiting for us! They definitely know how to spoil their guests.
Our suite had a separate living area with a 52 inch TV, a plush bed ready to jump in, a stylish work table with a chair(if you decide to work during your vacation), and floor to ceiling windows all over which boasted expansive views of the ocean , Santa Monica pier and the city. Definitely my favorite part of the suite. I also found the hotel staff to be extremely attentive and helpful during our stay. On-time room service and turn down services were a highlight.
Waking up to the sound of waves, enjoying a romantic sunset from the balcony and watching the Santa Monica Pier come alive with all the flashy lights under the stars; I could definitely get used to this life (and the views).
The rooms & suites also feature:
- On Demand movies
- Room service for breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Iron and Ironing board
- Julien Farel Anti-Aging Haircare and Body Products with a professional hair dryer
- Touch screen lighted mirrors in bathrooms
- Guest dry-cleaning and laundry service
- Premium Mini Bar
- Two telephones with dual voice lines and voicemail
- Complimentary WiFi
Amenities
Free Bike Rental
You can rent bikes/beach cruisers for an hour at the hotel, to ride along the beach trail and explore the area. There is a path right by the beach that takes you all the way to Venice Beach and is great ride during the sunset.
During our stay, we rented the bikes to get breakfast at Urth Caffe(LA’s bakery chain famous for their gourmet coffee and baked goods). It was a great way to get a little workout during our staycation and also explore the beach side in the morning.
Onsite coffee shop – For Five Coffee Roasters
Quick stop for freshly brewed coffee, breakfast sandwiches to grab-and-go snacks and refreshing beverages.
Heated outdoor pool and a hot tub
The hotel boasts an expansive outdoor pool deck providing front row seats to picturesque sunrises and sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. The pool is heated and you have full access to towels, sun chairs, and umbrellas.
Take a plunge in the pool or relax in a poolside cabana; the warm weather definitely demands it!
Other Amenities
- On-demand yoga and meditation classes through DRYP by Soha
- Additional fitness studio partnership discounts
- Well-equipped fitness center, steam room, dry and wet sauna
- Children and pet friendly
- Disabled Guest ADA-Compliant Rooms and services
Dining and Events
Jazz Nights on Thursday
Have you ever been to a Jazz dinner date? The Loews Santa Monica beach hotel hosts Jazz Night every Thursday in their lobby lounge. You get a taste of some of the finest Jazz performances in the city as you sip and savor cocktails from a music inspired menu. It is an utterly romantic experience!
Oceanfront Dining at Blue Streak
Are you ready for one of a kind dining experience in LA? Checkout the igloo dining by The Blue Streak restaurant.
After a eventful day of exploring Santa Monica, we dined in the igloo at Blue Steak. The igloo is made of twinkling light and set with a fire pit in the center. You can cozy up by the fire pit and catch a glimpse of a mesmerizing sunset over the iconic Santa Monica Pier as you sip cocktails and savor a few bites from their Californian menu. It’s a date night you will remember!
The food menu was pretty impressive, featuring coastal flavor and sharable options. We tried the Crispy Pork Belly, Filet Mignon and Brined Chicken Breast – and everything was SOOO GOOD. They also give you marshmallows to roast by the fire pit ; definitely the highlight of the dining experience.
Cocktail Recommendation: Here For It, Dunaway
The oceanfront dining at Blue Streak is one of the best in LA and I’d definitely recommend it! They also have Golden Hour(half off select bottles of wine and shared plates) every evening from 5-6pm and Bottomless Brunch on weekend 11:30am – 3pm to treat yourself to a brunch paired with ocean views.
THINGS TO DO IN SANTA MONICA
- Spend an evening at the Santa Monica Pier – Ride the Ferris Wheel for some panoramic views or watch a street performance.
- See sharks and other fishes at and more at the Aquarium
- Travel back in time at the Santa Monica History Museum
- During the weekend, walk through the local Farmer’s Market for some treats.
- Relax, swim or sunbathe at Santa Monica State Beach.
- Taste some great seafood dishes at one of the many popular restaurants in Santa Monica.
Waking up to beach views, relaxing in the pool, sipping cocktails at sunset, roasting marshmallows cozying up by the fire pit and fine dining under the stars. It was a undoubtedly a perfect staycation and I’d highly recommend it for any romantic getaway or a family weekend.
With all the iconic attractions at your doorstep and the Pacific Ocean as your backyard, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel is the perfect place to sit back, relax, explore and enjoy the LA life. If you are traveling to LA and looking for the ultimate luxury stay, book your room now!
Here’s a quick glimpse of our staycation.
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