From my guest suite at Oceana Santa Monica, I can see the Pacific stretching wide, the palms along Palisades Park swaying in a breeze that smells faintly of salt and eucalyptus. Cars hum quietly along Ocean Avenue below, and with my curtains drawn open, I can survey the entire scene: the winding bike path, the afternoon light dancing on the water. It feels both cinematic and personal.
There are only a handful of hotels in Los Angeles that offer this level of ocean proximity. Oceana doesn’t just overlook the beach; it faces it head-on, positioned directly across from the park-lined bluff that defines this part of the city. This vantage point—north of the pier, west of the bustle—is what sets the hotel apart. From here, Santa Monica is calm, residential, and grounded.
A Storied Past & Subtly Luxurious Present
The building has history. Once a long-stay residence for Hollywood insiders, it now operates as a refined, all-suite hotel and part of Hilton’s LXR luxury portfolio. But the luxe quotient is subtle. There’s no awning or marquee to speak of. Entry is up a few steps to a minimalist ground-floor reception area anchored by the glow of a central fireplace. But the heart of the experience begins upstairs, in the breezy open-air Sunset Terrace, a third-floor retreat with plush seating and uninterrupted views across the treetops to the sea.
This is where morning yoga takes place, facing west. Later in the day, guests use the space to catch up on emails, sip coffee, or take calls with the kind of view that doesn’t require a Zoom background. The ocean steals the scene.
The suites themselves are uniformly spacious, starting at 500 square feet and organized around a central, heart-shaped courtyard pool. Oceanview rooms are worth requesting. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame postcard-perfect sunsets, and most come with private balconies, ideal for a quiet breakfast or a cocktail during golden hour. My room included a separate sitting area, a king bed fitted with fine linens, a small, furnished terrace, and a minibar stocked with artisanal snacks and luxe-sized spirits. The color palette—sands, creams, navy—matches the landscape. Interior-facing suites look onto the pool and garden courtyard.
A New Culinary Chapter
The hotel is also home to a stunning new restaurant, La Monique, which makes its splashy debut on October 17 and is sure to draw locals as well as Oceana guests. Conceived by famed designer Martin Brudnizki, the space channels Hollywood Regency glamour with velvet banquettes, hand-crafted marquetry, and polished surfaces. Feminine in spirit and refined in detail, it is as much an aesthetic statement as a culinary one.
The kitchen is led by Top Chef France alum David Fricaud, who presents a bold, contemporary interpretation of the French brasserie. Fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables, and classic sauces anchor the menu, alongside a dedicated steak program featuring dry-aged and wagyu cuts with traditional accompaniments. Signature dishes include Le Poulet with truffle demi-glace, abundant seafood towers, and handmade pastas that nod to Southern Europe. A robust wine list and carefully composed cocktails round out the experience. For a property that previously kept its restaurant guest-only, La Monique represents an exciting opening outward—an invitation to locals to share in Oceana’s perspective on Pacific living.
Living Like a Local
The Oceana pace is set by the guests, many of whom spend full days by the central pool. Complimentary bikes are available for rides along the Marvin Braude trail, and the hotel can arrange surf lessons or paddleboard sessions upon request.
Still, the draw here is less about doing and more about being. Oceana offers a way to experience Santa Monica that feels connected to the setting rather than the scene. The city’s best boutiques, galleries, and restaurants are within walking distance—Montana Avenue to the north, the Third Street Promenade to the south—but the real appeal is what happens when you return. A hot shower. A salted margarita. The last light of the day filtered through your balcony’s linen drapes.
Santa Monica has always occupied a unique position in Los Angeles: equal parts beach town, wellness destination, and urban village. Oceana leans into that identity with elegant hospitality, a front-row seat to the Pacific, and now, a new culinary landmark in La Monique.
Images courtesy of Oceanan Santa Monica
