A Hotel CLOSE to the Santa Monica Pier: Hilton Santa Monica Review

During a recent visit to (kind of) Sunny Los Angeles, I had the opportunity to spend 3 nights at the Hilton Santa Monica. The recently renovated Hilton Santa Monica had great reviews online, so I was curious as to how this Hotel stacked up against other Hiltons in the area. 

Hotel Information 

Price: $400 – $600 per night

Points Price: 80,000 Hilton Honours points/night

The Hilton Santa Monica was previously a Double Tree Resort and was renovated from 2019 to 2021. The hotel contains 211 suites and 75 guest rooms

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Here are 9 things you should know about the Hilton Santa Monica

1. The Hilton Santa Monica is Walking Distance to the Santa Monica Pier & the 3rd Street Promenade

One of the big reasons to stay in Santa Monica is the world-famous Santa Monica Beach, which includes a running/biking trail, restaurants, beach volleyball, and of course the Santa Monica Pier. 

While this hotel is certainly NOT on the beach, beachfront activities were only a ~15-minute walk away. Considering the size of the Greater LA area, anytime you can walk, it’s a real bonus. 

The other large tourist attraction in Santa Monica is the 3rd Street Promenade. This is also a 15-minute walk, so if you’re looking to do some shopping/eating, you can leave the car keys in the hotel.

2. Aside from the Beach & the Promenade, Nothing Else is Within Walking Distance

There are a few shops/bars nearby (in addition to the 3rd Street Promenade), so if you need a quick bite to eat, you’ll be covered. Other than that, you will be relying on your rental car, Uber, or public transit (bus) which picks you up a few minutes from the lobby. 

LA is a beautiful place, but it is sprawling, so budget the appropriate transportation into your itinerary. The hotel is a ~$50 Uber away from the BUR airport (the airport we flew in and out of).

If you plan on visiting the greater LA area during your trip (Long Beach, Malibu, etc), you will need a rental car.

If you plan on staying in the Santa Monica area with the occasional trip to LA proper, Uber should suffice.

One of the positives (or maybe negatives depending on your opinion) of the Hilton Santa Monica is that it’s right next to Highway 10. Traffic jams & Los Angeles go hand in hand, and the ability to quickly get on and off the highway can be a huge benefit depending on where you’re going.

3. Amenities Onsite Include an Outdoor Pool

There are several amenities at the Hilton Santa Monica including a gym, restaurant, snack bar, and outdoor pool. Unfortunately, my wife and I were traveling in the winter, so we weren’t able to make use of the outdoor pool, but it would certainly be a big perk if we visited during the warmer months. 

The aforementioned restaurant also has a great outdoor seating area including tables, chairs, and couches 

4. Upgrades Included for Diamond Members 

We stayed Friday-Monday, and the hotel was sold out on Monday, so we were skeptical about getting a room upgrade. However, we were delighted to find out that we had been upgraded to a one-bedroom suite with a “balcony”. 

We typically like to speak with the hotel via the Hilton Honours app before our arrival (and to ask for a Diamond member upgrade beforehand). Still, unfortunately, this hotel doesn’t appear to have that function. 

Nevertheless, Hilton came through for us with the upgrade. 

Diamond members are given $18 per person/day to spend on food & beverage. You can use it at the restaurant (which has limited hours) or at the snack bar in the lobby. Salads go for $18 at the snack bar, so you’re $18 won’t go for. 

5. One Bedroom Suite Was Perfectly Adequate

As mentioned, we were upgraded to a one-bedroom suite, and we were more than happy with the room. It was clean, and the hotel had daily housekeeping. The room had a couch and a table (in addition to the bed), so there’s plenty of space if you need to move around the room. We never felt cramped. There was plenty of storage space for the 4 days of clothes we packed (an issue with some hotels).

To reiterate, this hotel is not on the beach. Our view was a bit lagging. Despite our proximity to the highway, we never had any issues with noise.

TVs are located in the bedroom (HBO was included) and in the living room.

The bathrooms were well-lit and included all the standard amenities you expect in a hotel (shampoo, hair dryer, etc.).

The room also came with a coffee maker and a mini fridge, so if you’re planning on staying for more than one night, this hotel will more than suffice.

6. It’s a Cozy Vibe.

When staying at big hotels, there is a tendency to feel like cattle when walking through the lobby. The Hilton Santa Monica has 8 floors and just under 300 rooms, but the rooms are situated in a way where you feel like you’re in a quieter hotel. 

There were times when I wanted to ask the front desk a question, and there was always a service rep available. I never waited for an elevator. 

If you are looking for a hotel with a laid-back vibe, I would certainly direct you to the Hilton Santa Monica. The same can be said if you’re traveling to the area for business. The lack of hustle and bustle can ensure you get your work done (there are some conference rooms, and a business section located adjacent to the lobby).

7. It’s Far From Downtown LA

Everybody drives in LA, and as mentioned earlier, it’s a sprawling city. If you’re looking to make the drive to downtown Los Angeles, plan for 30 minutes to an hour

8. Beware of the Extra Fees

There are a few extra fees that guests should be aware of.

If you are renting a car, the valet costs $57.00 per day. There is NOT an option to self-park.

You can view alternative parking options here

Wifi is $9.95 per day, but it waived for Diamond members

9. You can Fly into Burbank Airport or LAX

The broader Los Angeles region has 4 airports, but if you’re staying at the Hilton Santa Monica, you should look at flying in, or out of Burbank Airport or LAX

Having two airports so close by can provide more flexibility for travelers, as more departures mean more options.

Overall Thoughts

This is a great property, and if you stay at the Hilton Santa Monica you should have an amazing time. The proximity to the beach is ideal. If you’re looking to spend the majority of your time in the Santa Monica area., this hotel should be close to the top of your list.

If you intend on spending a lot of time in Hollywood, or Downtown LA, it may be best to look at other options, as the cost of renting a car, gas, and the valet service at the hotel will increase your costs dramatically. Hilton has properties all over LA, and given the constant traffic, location is extremely important when picking a hotel.

5 Reasons to Stay at the Hilton Santa Monica

• Very close to the Santa Monica Pier and the 3rd Street Promenade
• Great proximity to 2 airports
• Close to the highway
• Beautiful outdoor pool and lounge area
• Rooms are recently renovated

5 Reasons to Avoid the Hilton Santa Monica

• This is a solid hotel, but there are other “luxury” options in the area
• Far from Downtown LA & Hollywood
• Limited food options for Hilton Diamond members
• Expensive parking options
• Close to the highway, some are bothered by the views of traffic

How to Get to the Hilton Santa Monica on Points

Option #1 Fly with Air Canada to LAX

Cards You’ll Need

• American Express Platinum
• TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite

Option #2 Fly with WestJet

Cards You’ll Need

• RBC WestJet World Elite Mastercard
• RBC Avion Visa Infinite

Collect Hilton Honors Hotel Points

• American Express Hilton Aspire Card (US)
• American Express Hilton Surpass Card (US)

Things to do in Los Angeles/Santa Monica

There are several amazing things to do on the Big Island including:

• Visit the Santa Monica Pier
• Go to an Amusement Park
• Shop on Rodeo Drive
• See the Hollywood Sign
• Take a tour of a Hollywood Studio

View More Tourism Destinations in Los Angeles

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Hilton Hawaiian Village

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