Viceroy Santa Monica

Viceroy Santa Monica: A Comprehensive Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property

Viceroy Santa Monica, a "Michelin Key Selected" property, consistently earns praise as a stylish and well-located boutique hotel offering a blend of modern design and a relaxed, upscale coastal vibe. Guests frequently highlight its prime location, attentive service, and vibrant atmosphere, making it a popular choice for both leisure and business travelers seeking a sophisticated experience near the beach.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Viceroy Santa Monica generally receives a "Very Good" rating, with a Booking.com score of 8.2 out of 10 based on nearly 1000 reviews. The MICHELIN Guide's post-stay ratings from verified guests also reflect a strong positive sentiment, with a score of 18.6 out of 20. The overall sentiment is highly positive, with guests appreciating its blend of luxury and charm.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of the Viceroy Santa Monica:

• Location: Its proximity to Santa Monica Beach and the pier is a major draw, with many attractions within walking distance.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's "modern, vibrant luxury" and "chic" interiors, including a recently renovated, warmer, and more organic look, are frequently complimented. The decor, designed by Kelly Wearstler, features a Hollywood Regency style.
• Amenities: The two outdoor swimming pools with cabanas, a well-equipped fitness center, and complimentary bike rentals are highly valued.
• Service: Friendly, helpful, and attentive staff are often cited as a key highlight.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Viceroy Santa Monica are described as clean, comfortable, and well-designed, reflecting a "California clean and cheerful" aesthetic. Following a 2023 renovation, accommodations now feature sun-and-surf-inspired decor with original work from local artists.

• Comfort: Guests frequently mention comfortable beds with premium bedding, including fine Italian linens and down duvets.
• Design & Features: Rooms are equipped with high-definition flat-screen TVs, Bluetooth speaker alarm clocks, in-room safes, mini-bars, and full-sized bath amenities by Neil George or Corpus Naturals. Many rooms offer balconies, and about half are oriented towards the Pacific Ocean, providing ocean views that guests find justify the added expense.
• Size: Standard Viceroy King Rooms are approximately 320 square feet, while Grande Rooms offer 470 square feet, and suites are 640 square feet or more.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's restaurant, Sugar Palm Santa Monica, is a central part of the dining experience. It serves locally sourced international fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is noted for its vibrant atmosphere.

• Atmosphere: Sugar Palm offers a sprawling indoor-outdoor setting, with poolside dining, a garden lounge, and a wraparound bar that extends outside.
• Cuisine: The menu features coastal flavors, with dishes designed to pair well with the sunny Santa Monica ambiance. Guests have also enjoyed the happy hour menu. An a la carte breakfast is served daily.
• Convenience: Room service is available, and there's a coffee shop/cafe on-site for daytime treats.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Viceroy Santa Monica are consistently praised for being "friendly and helpful," "top notch," and "attentive."

• Hospitality: Guests often recall warm welcomes, personalized greetings, and staff who "really get to know their guests."
• Efficiency: The service is described as efficient.
• Multilingual Staff: Staff members are fluent in English, French, and Spanish.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Viceroy Santa Monica boasts an "ideal location" in Santa Monica, just "steps to the ocean" and a "short walk to the pier."

• Proximity to Attractions: It's conveniently situated near Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica Pier (a 10-15 minute walk), Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place, and a plethora of restaurants, bars, and shops. Venice Beach is also easily accessible by bike.
• Transportation: The hotel is approximately a 20-30 minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Free bicycle rentals are available for registered guests, offering a great way to explore the area. Valet parking is available for a fee. The property is also wheelchair accessible.

7. Value & Pricing

The Viceroy Santa Monica is considered a luxury boutique hotel. Prices for a 1-night stay for two adults can start from approximately $305 to $384, excluding taxes and fees, as of early 2026. Rates can start from around $300 a night.

• Resort Fee: There is a daily Guest Amenities Fee of $40 plus taxes, which covers amenities such as high-speed internet, priority bicycle rental, welcome drink, fitness center access, and in-room bottled water.
• Comparison: While it's a luxury hotel, some reviews note that it is generally notably cheaper than its direct luxury competitors in the immediate area, such as Shutters on the Beach and Casa del Mar. However, its value for money rating on Booking.com is 7.4 out of 10.

8. Common Complaints

While generally positive, some recurring issues or criticisms include:

• Resort and Valet Fees: The additional resort fee and the costly valet parking are noted by some guests.
• Bathroom Size: Some guests have found the bathrooms to be on the smaller side, though they are clean and well-maintained with marble.
• Elevator Noise: A few guests have mentioned that the elevator can be quite loud, especially for rooms on higher floors.
• Kid-Friendliness: Some reviews suggest the hotel's vibe, with its "sexy lounge" and "sceney pool," might be less kid-friendly compared to other nearby hotels.
• Bed Firmness: One guest mentioned the bed being firmer than preferred.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. michelin.com
3. hotels.com
4. lifeisoutside.com
5. santamonica.com
6. expedia.com
7. michelin.com
8. oyster.com
9. kayak.com
10. viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
11. boardingarea.com
12. godsavethepoints.com
13. forbestravelguide.com
14. travelocity.com
15. tablethotels.com
16. mrandmrssmith.com
17. qantas.com
18. planetofhotels.com
19. ahotellife.com
20. viceroyhotelsandresorts.com