Introduction

Oceana Santa Monica is an intimate, boutique luxury hotel occupying a prime corner of Santa Monica’s Ocean Avenue. Opened in 1998, the property was conceived to offer a residential, art-filled alternative to larger beachfront resorts—blending contemporary design, locally sourced materials, and a strong emphasis on personalized service. Over the years Oceana has been known for its tasteful guest rooms and suites, many with ocean or canyon views, a tranquil rooftop pool, and a focus on culinary and wellness programming that reflects Southern California sensibilities.

In 2023, Oceana Santa Monica joined LXR Hotels & Resorts, a collection-brand within the luxury segment that positions independently distinctive hotels under a curated, high-end umbrella. The LXR affiliation preserves Oceana’s boutique character and design-forward identity while providing access to enhanced global distribution, loyalty program visibility, and brand-level service standards. The partnership situates Oceana as a small-scale, locally rooted property benefiting from the operational resources and marketing reach of a luxury collection—allowing it to maintain its original charm while appealing to a broader international clientele.

Location | Oceana Santa Monica

Oceana Santa Monica sits a short, flat stroll from the sand — roughly three blocks east of Santa Monica Beach — placing it within easy walking distance of the iconic Santa Monica Pier and its Ferris wheel. The hotel’s central location also puts Montana Avenue’s boutique shops and Main Street’s cafés a few minutes away by foot, while the Third Street Promenade’s dining and shopping hub is a comfortable 10–15 minute walk. Excellent access to beachfront bike paths, Pacific Coast Highway, and nearby public transit makes it convenient for exploring Venice, Malibu, and greater Los Angeles, and a dense cluster of quality restaurants and casual eateries surrounds the property for dining options without needing to drive.

Check-In | Oceana Santa Monica

There is no grand driveway - simply put, vehicles pull up to the curb directly in front of the main entrance where a stand is positioned. A parking attendant was on duty at the stand when we arrived; if none is immediately visible, they are likely inside the main doors. The valet/bellman welcomed us, assisted with unloading, and explained the parking arrangements. Valet parking is the hotel’s only on-site option and is charged at $65 USD per day. For a lower-cost alternative, metered parking is available along Ocean Avenue, the street directly in front of the hotel.

We were immediately welcomed by the check-in manager, who probably was the superstar of this entire stay. She thanked me for being a Diamond member, and gave me a breakdown about what my benefits entailed, along with the $50 daily dining credit. During their wifi fix, she had apologized profusely and provided us updates on the changes. Furthermore, she was professional and very proactive in ensuring our stay was great. She was incredibly proactive and even comped two of our drinks at La Monique, which was such a great gesture from her.

A quick reminder what the daily resort charge includes: Guest internet access; daily yoga classes; beach cruiser bike rental; special access to Peloton treadmills; beach activity concierge and beach towels; in-lobby premium coffee/tea and non-alcoholic refreshment; two food and two beverage tasters at poolside.

Lanai Suite | Oceana Santa Monica

The Lanai Suite at the Oceana Santa Monica unfolds with generous, airy proportions that immediately evoke a coastal retreat. The living room is the suite’s centerpiece: an expansive seating arrangement anchored by a low-profile sofa and armchairs facing a sleek media console, while floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with Pacific light. Coastal hues and natural textures—driftwood finishes, woven fabrics, and soft sea-glass greens—are balanced by clean modern lines, creating an atmosphere that’s both relaxed and refined. A dining table sits adjacent to the seating area, sized for four and ideal for intimate meals or work, its polished surface and comfortable chairs reinforcing the suite’s dual role as social space and private sanctuary.

The bedroom continues the pacific-inspired narrative with a calm, luxurious simplicity. A plush king bed utilizing Frette Linens and Loro Piana bedding with an upholstered headboard and crisp linens faces a secondary set of windows, ensuring morning light and ocean breezes play across the room. Thoughtful details—textured throws, sculptural bedside lamps, and muted artwork—accentuate the serene palette without feeling decorative, while ample circulation space and discreet storage keep the room uncluttered. Together, the living room and bedroom showcase the Lanai Suite’s strength: spacious, well-considered design that channels Santa Monica’s coastal elegance.

Sadly, there was a major negative. During our stay, there was a change to their wifi system that impacted their smart tablet that houses and controls all the electronics in the room. Given we stayed there for three days, we were a bit confused as to why the tablet was never fixed or adjusted. Housekeeping would have communicated this to their engineering department, and even with us indirectly telling the front desk, there was no changes to it, which was a bit of a disappointment for a 5-star hotel.

Bathroom | Lanai Suite

The Lanai Suite bathroom at the Oceana Santa Monica continues the hotel's seaside narrative with a restrained, ocean-inspired palette: pale driftwood cabinetry, soft sea-glass tiles, and frosted glass accents that diffuse natural light for a calm, coastal feel. A deep soaking tub and a large walk-in shower with rainfall and handheld heads are finished in honed stone and nickel fixtures, marrying spa-like comfort with subtle nautical references.

Bamford amenities elevate the experience — hand and body washes, shampoo and conditioner in the brand’s signature botanical scents, plus plush cotton towels and a thick bathrobe that feel both natural and luxurious. Counter space is generous and practical, with quality toiletries set neatly to one side and ample lighting for grooming.

One practical caveat: retrieving the hairdryer was awkward. The hairdryer is tucked behind a cabinet-door compartment whose hinge was stiff during my stay; the door required a firm pull and felt likely to stick. It’s a small operational quirk but notable if you expect seamless bathroom access.

Other useful details: the vanity has a well-placed magnifying mirror and good task lighting, there are plentiful electrical outlets for charging and appliances, and the bathroom’s layout affords privacy while still feeling integrated with the suite’s breezy design language.

Hotel Grounds | Oceana Santa Monica

The hotel grounds of the Oceana Santa Monica showcases mid-century modern lines that meet contemporary coastal minimalism. Native drought-tolerant plantings—succulents, ornamental grasses and sculpted olive trees—are arranged around pale travertine pathways and low-profile seating nooks, creating a restrained, sunlit courtyard that feels both private and open to the Pacific breeze. Architectural gestures echo the building’s restrained façade: overscaled glass doors, warm wood accents, and brass fixtures that catch the light, while discrete outdoor fireplaces and shaded pergolas provide comfortable transition spaces for morning coffee or evening cocktails.

The property’s major centerpiece, the beautiful pool, is designed as a serene social magnet rather than a flashy resort spectacle. Set within a shallow reflecting deck, the pool’s pale blue mosaic tiling and submerged ledges invite languid soaking, while broad loungers and cabanas frame the water with unobstructed sightlines to the ocean beyond. Subtle water features and integrated lighting turn the pool into a calm, reflective focal point at dusk, and attentive but unobtrusive service ensures it remains an elegant extension of the hotel’s living room—quiet, stylish, and decidedly Californian.

Amenities | Oceana Santa Monica

The fitness studio is well-appointed for a boutique hotel: compact but highly efficient, with modern cardio machines, free weights, a functional training area, and a selection of resistance bands and mats. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring in natural light and a calming seaside outlook, making it easy to maintain a routine while traveling. Peloton bikes and treadmills elevate cardio sessions into focused, results-driven workouts—ideal for anyone pursuing performance gains or a renewed fitness routine. The studio complements cardio with a full TechnoGym strength area and a set of calibrated dumbbells for targeted resistance training. On-request services include one-on-one personal training and tailored nutrition and wellness consultations to support individual goals.

Wellness at Oceana takes an intimate approach: spa treatments are delivered in each guest room rather than in a separate spa facility. Therapists bring a curated menu of massages and body treatments directly to your suite, turning your private space into a personalized spa experience. The in-room format favors privacy and convenience, though it lacks a standalone steam or sauna area some guests might expect from larger luxury properties.

Breakfast | Oceana Santa Monica

Petit La Monique, the intimate veranda at Oceana Santa Monica reserved exclusively for hotel guests, serves a bright, unfussy morning experience framed by ocean breezes and pale-wood tables. As Hilton Diamond members we used the $25-per-person breakfast credit each morning; it covered a good portion of the bill and made ordering a la carte comfortable rather than constrained. Service was attentive and efficient, with staff rotating through tables to refill coffee and offer seasonal fruit, maintaining the calm, private feel of the space.

Over our three-night stay the menu stayed grounded in classic California sensibilities: freshly mixed fruit bowls, thick Greek yogurt with house oatmeal, scrambled eggs and market-fresh vegetables, and a reliably buttery croissant that arrived warm. One morning featured a breakfast burrito that was quite delicious - the price unsurprisingly not. Portions were generous enough to start the day without heaviness, and the quality matched the hotel’s refined beachfront positioning. Complimentary coffee is served near poolside from 7-9am PST, so save yourself a couple of dollars and get the same coffee for free.

Curated for Class?

The Oceana Santa Monica impresses with its Lanai Suite and its modern touches — a beautifully curated retreat that balances airy, coastal elegance with thoughtful luxuries and a private terrace that genuinely enhances the stay — and staff like La Monique who deliver warm, attentive service that elevates the guest experience. Nonetheless, the property stops short of true five-star consistency: housekeeping and engineering lack the polished, anticipatory presence expected at the highest tier, and overall service levels fall noticeably behind benchmarks set by the Conrad Los Angeles and the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. The lack of even trying to fix the tablet, along with the lack of support for a bellman during checkout, made for shortfalls at this hotel.

For travelers seeking a stylish, comfortable Santa Monica base with standout rooms and personable team members, Oceana Santa Monica is a compelling choice; for those demanding flawless, top-tier service in every department, the alternatives remain the safer bet. When compared to the other LXR resorts that we’ve stayed and reviewed, this one felt a bit lacking compared to its siblings.

Curated for Class Final Score | 39.5/50

While the Oceana Santa Monica delights with its elegant design and warm individual hospitality, it ultimately misses the mark on five-star consistency due to notable lapses in maintenance and service support that lag behind top-tier competitors.

Ambiance: 8.5/10

Room: 8./10

Food & Beverage: 8/10

Service: 7.5/10

Does it Feel Special: 7.5/10

Hotel Review: Oceana Santa Monica, LXR Hotels & Resorts