February 2008: The luxurious Viceroy Santa Monica is one of Los Angeles’ favourite urban retreats. Located at the crossroads of Ocean Avenue and Pico Boulevard, in one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in LA, the hotel overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is minutes away from a wide array of upscale shopping, dining, entertainment and the historic Santa Monica Pier. A popular haunt for celebrities, the Viceroy is just steps from the beach and is a great base from which to explore Santa Monica.
About the hotel
Originally built in 1969 as the Pacific Shore Hotel, the property was reborn as Viceroy Santa Monica after extensive renovation and interior redesign. Featuring a crisp, modern exterior with a British Regency-inspired interior designed by Kelly Wearstler, the Viceroy creates a sophisticated and chic style unique to the Santa Monica hotel landscape.
Coastal hues of parrot green, driftwood grey and wavecrest white gleam within the hotel’s dramatic lobby, hinting at classic and mid-twentieth century English influences, with updated uses of trellis and caning patterns, cameos and decorative china. Driftwood-like hardwood flooring throughout common areas serves as a gentle reminder of the shimmering beaches and pulsing Pacific just across the avenue.
The rooms
Exuding a cosmopolitan spirit and coastal atmosphere, each of Viceroy Santa Monica’s 162 guestrooms and executive suites are meticulously appointed with applied moldings, custom armoires, Lucite and glass tables and clean-lined bed frames, custom made for the hotel. Guests bathrooms feature immaculate marble-tiled floors, walls and shower and tub stalls, as well as seated vanities in many. Most guestrooms have coastal views.
The Monarch Suite is the jewel of the hotel. Its regal marble entryway, living room with wet bar and lavish bathroom with whirlpool tub and steam shower are one-of-a-kind design features unique to the suite. Similarly, furnishings were custom-designed exclusively for this sumptuous penthouse. The Suite also features a balcony with ocean view, marble entry, living room with wet bar, convertible sleeper sofa and a lavish bathroom with whirlpool tub and steam shower. The Monarch can be expended into a two-bedroom suite via an adjacent Viceroy room.
Dining and entertaining
With a selection of seafood, steak and unique specialty dishes crafted from the freshest local ingredients by renowned Executive Chef Warren Schwartz, Whist offers gourmet New American cuisine. Inside the restaurant, guests are seated in alcove booths, freestanding tables or banquettes. Sparkling glass chandeliers refashioned into pentagonal sculptures dangle from the ceiling, while urn-print wallpaper glows with a metallic glint. Floor to ceiling glass doors extend the restaurant’s space into the garden, where dining under the stars or in private cabanas is also available. Fans of Whist include Dustin Hoffman and Cindy Crawford.
The Cameo Bar, chic and spirited, serves a range of imported and Californian wines and signature favourites such as Blood Orange, Key Lime and Raspberry Lemon Drop martinis. With its inviting lounge atmosphere, the bar includes a combination of vintage and custom furniture, modern paintings and translucent tables. The boldly designed bar offers private outdoor dining cabanas surrounding two outdoor pools and is a prime location for celebrity watching. Stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sting, Alyssa Milano, Kelly Osbourne, Christian Slater and Jennifer Love Hewitt are often seen dining, while Demi Moore, Nicky Hilton, Mira Sorvino and Rebecca Romjin have enjoyed private poolside parties.
About the rates
Room rates range from US$359 per night for a city view room, through to US$1,500 per night for the Monarch Suite. Please note rates are subject to change. Tax and service are not included.
For reservations visit www.viceroysantamonica.com or call +1 866 891 0947 or +1 310 260 7500. Visit www.santamonica.com for information on the destination, restaurants and activities.
About Santa Monica
Perched on the Pacific Ocean with expansive vistas and promenades, this cutting-edge city by the sea defines the essence of the California lifestyle. Tucked into the northeast corner of beautiful Santa Monica Bay, with Venice and Malibu at its shoulders, Santa Monica’s energy and eclecticism mark it as one of the world’s great cities. With palm-lined bluffs, cool sea breezes, critically acclaimed cuisine and eye-catching people, Santa Monica evokes the charm of a seaside community steeped in European sophistication.
This beach destination, eight miles north of Los Angeles International Airport, offers a respite from the big city bustle. Its accessibility to major cities within the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area distinguishes Santa Monica as an ideal hub for leisure and business travellers. Always evolving, Santa Monica intrigues travellers with its offbeat treasures and ideal climate. Pedestrian-friendly, Santa Monica’s many attractions, hotels, restaurants and shops are within easy walking distance of one another and the beach.
About Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)
Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is a non-profit organisation designed to increase visitor expenditures, tourism revenues and local employment opportunities through the promotion of Santa Monica as a travel destination. For travel and accommodation information or a free copy of the Official Visitors Guide, the public can write to the Santa Monica Visitor Centre, 1920 Main Street Suite B, Santa Monica, CA 90405; call +1 310 393 7593; visit www.santamonica.com; or email info@santamonica.com
For more information contact:
Magellan PR on Tel: 020 8875 2850
Email: info@magellan-pr.com