Hotel Shangri-La

1301 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA

An art deco icon, built in 1939 for the silver screen stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, the Hotel Shangri-La is a beachfront beauty made for decadence. As the original Shangri-La—the big chain is just leasing the name—the boutique hotel has long been a hideaway for celebrities, a home-away-from-home for design-conscious international elite, and a host of some of Los Angeles’ most elegant soirées.

But the art-filled hotel offers more than its good looks. Renovated from top to bottom in 2008, the Shangri-La is now home to one of Santa Monica’s most indulgent spas (currently under renovation), the kind of rooftop bar a femme fatale would have haunted in a film noir, and a stylized, vintage pool courtyard where broad-brimmed hats and Jackie O sunglasses wouldn’t seem out of place. The famously warm and welcoming service ensures that every whim can be met, and every guest feels not only like a VIP, but also right at home. Having the beach right across the street is just icing on the glamorous cake.

Information on this page, including website, location, and opening hours, is subject to have changed since this page was last published. If you would like to report anything that’s inaccurate, let us know at notification@afar.com.

Nearby highlights
Sign up for our newsletter
Join more than a million of the world’s best travelers. Subscribe to the Daily Wander newsletter.
More From AFAR