Santa Monica, California’s long stretch of pristine beach and the 8.3 square miles of downtown makes us so excited to explore every inch. This destination is ideal for beachcombing, swimming, surfing, SUP and volleyball. We also invite you to run, hike, bike, swim or stroll with this us as we check out one of California’s best.
Shutters on the Beach
Shutters on the Beach offers the ultimate in laidback coastal luxury. This 186 room and 12 suite hotel is luxurious and welcoming, boasting panoramic views of the Pacific coastline while evoking a Cape Cod cottage feel. Fitting to its namesake, each of the room’s sliding shutter doors opens to a balcony for the ultimate in cool ocean breezes. This Cali-chic style is found throughout the hotel with original artwork from contemporary artists like David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Motherwell, quite reflective of Santa Monica’s diverse art scene. Jump on the The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, also known as The South Bay Bicycle Trail or The Strand, a 22-mile long, paved trail that starts in Santa Monica and finishes at the Torrance County Beach, passing through Venice, Hermosa and Redondo Beach. Let WIT create the perfect pedal power adventure with bike rentals and supplies for your trek. Stop in Venice Beach for some fun people watching, pedal thru Hermosa to check out different types of beach houses along the strand and finish in Redondo for a lovely après-cycle happy hour at Hudson House for the best chili-lime fried shrimp and a deep beer list. Then, head back to the hotel in time to take a dip in the ocean before dinner.
Viceroy Santa Monica
Now, we continue on to the Viceroy Santa Monica. Touted as “an icon of the LA beach scene” the recently revamped Viceroy is synonymous with calming coastal vibes. After you are greeted at check-in with a glass of sparkling wine, you will swoon over the 162 spacious guestrooms and suites, designed with roomy living areas and stunning views of the ocean, pool or city. To get you moving, the Viceroy Santa Monica has partnered with Beach Yoga SoCal to provide guests with yoga classes on the beach. Start your day will sun salutations while you center and balance before trying your hand at some surfing. There’s no better place than SoCal to learn how to “shred” from the local pros. WIT will get you all the best gear and instructors so you can “take the drop” like you grew up here. For the paddleboarder lovers we will take you to Marina del Rey, located about 20 minutes by car, where there are a number of SUP beach front launch options. With eight smaller channels (or basins) and one main channel that leads to the Santa Monica Bay, Marina del Rey has plenty of waterfront to explore on a SUP. In fact, paddlers of all levels come here year-round to learn technique, get a paddle workout or just leisurely head out with friends.
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
Location is key at the stylish Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the iconic Santa Monica Pier. Each of their 347 freshly renovated rooms and suites reflect the SoCal lifestyle and coastal location. Enjoy natural sunlight and glimpses of palm trees. The Lowes’s location invites you to stroll the Santa Monica Pier or kick back at the oceanview, heated pool and stunning two-level pool deck. Sit back and let the Pool Concierge bring you chilled towels or cool you down with Evian mist. For an elevated perspective on Santa Monica State Beach, Palisades Park on Ocean Avenue is the place to take a run on the Santa Monica Pier loop. This 3-mile loop is filled with dirt trail and steep stairs so you can work those glutes while taking in killer views of the Pier and the Pacific Ocean. The park’s dirt path runs roughly 1.5 miles from end to end. Runners can behold towering palms, sunsets, and tai chi enthusiasts. Fun fact- did you know that the Original Muscle Beach was established at the Santa Monica Pier in the early 1930s and quickly morphed from a few tumbling mats and gymnastic bars to the epicenter of the 20th century’s growing fitness movement, with crowds gathering to watch acrobatic feats. Today, the open-air collection of rings and bars, and other properly retro equipment, are as popular as ever.
Santa Monica Proper Hotel
We now move inland to sun-drenched Wilshire Boulevard where we find Santa Monica Proper Hotel, where they promote “a looser kind of luxury”. Within walking distance of the beach, each of the 271 rooms and suites successfully optimize the city’s abundant ocean breezes and natural light. Proper Hotels are all about uncommon luxury and immersion within the local culture. They successfully fulfill this philosophy at The Proper’s rooftop pool deck that includes a restaurant, bar, and private cabanas, so you can be front-row for all the stunning sunsets . While staying here, for an uncommon workout, try the Trapeze School New York at Santa Monica Pier. This oceanfront workout is an adrenaline rush unlike any other. Regardless of fitness level or background, these exhilarating classes offer an exciting aerial workout in a safe environment, enabling you to fly through the sky with the greatest of ease! Back at The Proper to rejuvenate, check out the hotel’s Surya Spa. It is presided over by internationally renowned Ayurvedic guru Martha Soffer, who seamlessly fuses age-old Indian wellness principles with inspired offerings to include therapeutic massages, steam and oil treatments, cooking, yoga, meditation, and a 3 to 28-day Panchakarma program designed to cleanse and restore balance to the body and mind. For a unique post workout treatment, try the Abhyanga + Chakra Light Balancing. This rejuvenating and nourishing four-handed herbal oil massage is followed by traditional Ayurvedic Color Therapy, using the famous light tables of João de Deus from Brazil. Combined with a soothing guided meditation focused on your preferences, issues such as your health, karmic situation, relationships, or even your spirituality. It is sure to be a profound and transforming experience.
WIT has very close relationships with these properties, so we can extend exclusive perks and special amenities to our clients. Typically, you will receive complimentary breakfast for two daily, $100 or more resort credit to be utilized during your stay, room upgrade, either at the time of booking or arrival, and early check-in/late checkout, both subject to availability.
At Well Inspired Travels, we love being luxury travel consultants and creating the ultimate experiences for you. So, pack your digital bags and follow us as we uncover exceptional luxury and wellness focused vacations. Check-in regularly for our top five-star travel ideas and tips, and as always, we continue to stay strong WIT you!
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