The 13 best hotels on the beach in L.A.

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.

Mood? Coastal charm. 
Location perks? Panoramic ocean views and a whole lot of fresh air.
Budget range? Spendy AF.

As Santa Monica’s newest lifestyle hotel, 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, Fili D’oro 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. 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. 

Mood? Bohemian dream.
Location perks? An easy half mile from the beach.
Budget range? Decent for what’s on offer.

If a laid-back beach holiday is your kind of vibe, then there's a bed at The Kinney with your name on it. Set in the Venice Beach District (just a stone's throw from Del Ray Beach) this hotel is popular for two main reasons its Pop Art interiors and it's hot tub. Besides comfy rooms, there are a lot places to hang out and chill while at The Kinney: over by the pool, the courtyard, and if you're competitive you'll most likely spend most of your time by the ping pong table. 

Mood? Pool party vibes.

Location perks? Morings spent deciding wether to hit the beach or pool first.

Budget range? Reasonably priced.

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. 

Mood? Boho loft. 
Location perks? So enviably close to the beach and a ton of delicious restaurant options like the Waterfront Venice. 
Budget range? A moderately-priced weekend getaway. 

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 the pizza joint or enjoy drinks on the roof at the High Rooftop Lounge. Each room comes with the usual amenities, plus iPhone docking stations, Byrd hair products and a Whole Foods honor minibar. 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.

Mood? Super duper modern.
Location perks? Literally on Venice Beach.
Budget range? Well priced.

The Surfrider isn’t technically on the beach; instead, it’s right across PCH from the water. But the sunny, refined rooms here are fit for a magazine spread without ever feeling too precious—which lands it on this list. The reason to stay at the Surfrider is its rooftop, a low-key, privileged perch that’s only open to hotel guests—who are welcome to invite two additional visitors per reservation.

Mood? Surfer’s vibes all round.
Location perks? Opposite Malibu Pier. Dreamy as heck.
Budget range? Pricey.

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.

Mood? Celeb treatment for the win.
Location perks? Views of the beach from all angles.
Budget range? Spend a pretty penny—or dollar.

This sparkling property hasn’t been solely responsible for making Manhattan Beach a destination, but its influence has been huge. The 38 stylish guest rooms make great use of the space: multi-purpose tables can be rolled back and forth over the beds for breakfast or for use as a desk, while all rooms have vast spa baths, free Wi-Fi, and color-adjustable chromotherapy lighting. It’s a downhill hike to the beach from the hotel, but that’s about as close as you can get when it comes to South Bay accommodations.

Mood? Modern design.
Location perks? An easy walk to the beach, three blocks away.
Budget range? A pretty sweet deal.

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.

Mood? Oceanfront vibes.
Location perks? Right on the boardwalk, but the least touristy end of it
Budget range? Cheaper than most. 

Located on the sand, this is the only hotel (formerly the Casa Malibu) in the area that has its own beach for the exclusive use of guests. 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.

Mood? Bliss by the coast.
Location perks? Endless beach views.
Budget range? Spendy as heck.

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.

Mood? Luxury resort living.
Location perks? The location of Terrenea is so spectacular TBH, you’ll never want to leave.
Budget range? Pricey but so, so worth it. 

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.

Mood? Romantic getaway. 
Location perks? As utopian as it gets.
Budget range? High-end.

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

Mood? Urban beach hut, but fancier. 
Location perks? Not just one, but two outdoor swimming pools and backyard cabanas for some laid-back leisure time. 
Budget range? A pretty penny for the luxury escape you’ve always dreamt of right by the beach.