Best Pool Hotels in Santa Monica

This boutique hotel just across Ocean Avenue from the Santa Monica Pier and Beach began booking guests in its airy, modern, and eco-conscious guest rooms in October of 2011. Fifty percent of the building materials used for the hotel were salvaged from unused construction materials, and its 164 rooms feature low-flow water fixtures, teak furniture and balconies overlooking the ocean. Because parking in Santa Monica can be a horror, Shore Hotel provides an underground garage, though some recent guests call out the hotel for its exorbitant parking fees ($35 per night). Visitors rave about the hotel's modern decor, along with its solar-heated pool and its on-site Mexican restaurant, Blue Plate Taco. The Shore Hotel's sustainable amenities do not come cheap, but recent guests say the price is worth it.

According to recent guests, Casa del Mar meshes a little art deco flair with Mediterranean styling – a mélange that has a beautiful effect. And compared to its sister property, the Cape Cod-esque Shutters on the Beach, this hotel affords a more upscale aesthetic. Count the Italian marble featured in the lobby and guest room bathrooms as proof. And the cool blue decor, intricately carved furniture, in-suite iPads and complimentary in-room movies only add to the experience. One of the southernmost hotels along Santa Monica's pricey beachfront strip, the Casa del Mar has 129 rooms and suites to choose from, as well as the tasty restaurant, Catch, and the gorgeous Sea Wellness Spa.

The Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel earns major points with guests for its location – adjacent to the Santa Monica Pier and Beach. But that's not all this family-friendly property has going for it. Those visiting La La Land with kids appreciated the hotel's professional babysitting services, a kids closet with movies and games and spacious accommodations (which come equipped with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi access, Keurig coffee makers and 24-hour room service). And as a member of the pet-friendly Loews group, this property will also provide amenities for your four-legged family members. The hotel was also praised for its outdoor pool (which also boasts fire pits) and its four eateries. However, some guests note that the customer service here could use an improvement. On the upside, if you're a member of the Loews YouFirst rewards program, you can earn and use perks when staying here.

Hotel Shangri-La is one of the most recognizable buildings on Santa Monica's Ocean Avenue. In fact, this 70-room hotel's distinctive art deco look is one of the key reasons recent visitors suggested you stay here. Guest rooms boast excellent views of the Pacific and the Santa Monica Beach, as well as flat-panel TVs, complimentary internet access and iPod docking stations. Visitors were won over by the decor, which consists of parquet floors, soft purple fabrics and bold animal print accents. However, some travelers note that the area can get noisy at night, which can hinder a sound sleep. Guests at the Hotel Shangri-La will have access to the Dining Room, which serves fresh market-to-table fare. For lighter snacks and drinks, head to ONYX, the hotel's rooftop bar and lounge.

Little touches such as soy milk for your morning coffee or steel cut oats for your breakfast oatmeal go a long way with recent guests of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. Those travelers also praise the invested and attentive staff and the fresh produce served in the hotel's FIG restaurant. This hotel earns praise for its proximity to the Third Street Promenade of Santa Monica, not to mention its deluxe on-site amenities, which include the exhale Spa, a fitness center (which hosts Mind Body classes) and an outdoor pool. Visitors find that the guest rooms meet their needs, housing flat-screen TVs, internet access (for an additional fee) and Keurig coffee makers. However, previous guests recommend requesting a room facing the pool rather than the ocean, as late-night noise from the nearby Santa Monica Pier can make for a restless night. Members of the Le Club AccorHotels can earn points for choosing to stay here.

"Stylish," "intimate" and "swanky" are just some of the words recent guests used to describe this chic hotel, located just a few blocks northwest of Santa Monica Pier. Each of Viceroy Santa Monica's guest rooms and suites come equipped with Egyptian cotton linens, complimentary Wi-Fi access, a flat-screen TV, luxury bath products and a fully stocked private bar. Guests of this Viceroy property also have access to two on-site plunge pools and a 24-hour fitness center (access to which is covered in the $30.99 daily resort fee). Hoping to see more of L.A.'s beaches? Venture to Venice Beach or stroll the Third Street Promenade — both can be found within 2 miles of the hotel and are easy to reach thanks to the hotel's on-site bike rentals (also included in the resort fee). Meanwhile, business travelers can stay plugged in at the wireless business center before treating their taste buds to tasty bites at Cast.

The Oceana Beach Club Hotel's small stature allows it to be even more conscientious of its guests than the average boutique property. And because it sits just a mile north of the Santa Monica Pier and Beach, the Oceana is free of the congestion that plagues this touristy part of town. Guests particularly like the homey vibe here and find it markedly more quiet than some of Santa Monica's hipper hotels. Rooms are outfitted in brightly colored decor, balconies boasting ocean views, C.O. Bigelow toiletries and complimentary Wi-Fi access. For an extra dose of R & R, try your hand at complimentary yoga classes, indulge in a spa treatment or simply lounge by the outdoor pool before enjoying tasty SoCal cuisine at Tower 8. Just be warned: The added resort fee ($35 per night) surprises –and disappoints – some guests. The fee covers use of the hotel's bikes, guided hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains and a welcome glass of prosecco, among other amenities.

In Santa Monica, proximity to the beach and pier translates to more expensive lodging. So know that you'll pay a pretty penny to enjoy a stay at Shutters on the Beach. But you'll be rewarded with a shabby-chic, oh-so-irresistible hotel that travel experts fawn over and guests can't stop gushing about. Guest rooms here are reminiscent of those found in a beachside bed-and-breakfast, though they come stocked with flat-screen TVs, marble bathrooms and balconies overlooking Santa Monica. The lovely views are the big plus, but people also like this hotel's friendly staff and the fare served at the property's three restaurants. When you're not relaxing on the sand, indulge in a treatment at ONE the spa or borrow one of the hotel's bikes to ride the nearby bike paths. You can find this sprawling, Cape Cod-style hotel just west of the pier and directly on the Santa Monica waterfront.

JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot offers high-class accommodations with a side of the subtle luxury that has become paramount to the JW Marriott brand. This particular one, located along Santa Monica's picturesque Ocean Avenue, is also known for the romantic atmosphere of its in-house restaurant, Cézanne. Guest rooms here also appealed to visitors with warm neutral decor, balconies or patios, and high-tech amenities like iHome docking stations. But for the majority of visitors, it's the property's location that sets it apart from the competition. Guests loved that Le Merigot sits amid a variety of Santa Monica shops and restaurants. If you don't feel like hitting the town, sprawl out alongside the outdoor pool or indulge in a treatment at Spa Le Merigot. And because the property falls under the Marriott umbrella, members of the Marriott Bonvoy program can earn and use points while staying here.

Formerly The Sheraton Delfina, this rebranded Le Méridien has already made an impression on guests with its looks. The guest rooms here feel slightly retro with bold patterns and bright colors and feature Illy coffee makers, complimentary high-speed internet access and furnished balconies (in most rooms). This pet-friendly hotel also features a fitness center, a heated outdoor pool and an on-site restaurant. Despite its makeover, some guests had a few qualms with the Le Méridien. Many lament the hotel's distance from the hustle and bustle of Santa Monica, while others mention a few less-than-stellar encounters with hotel staff. On the upside, the hotel does offer a shuttle to anywhere with a 2-mile radius of the property as part of the $25 daily resort fee. Other amenities included in the resort fee range from bike rentals to wellness classes. And because of this hotel's Marriott hotel family ties, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and use points here.