Hotel Carmel

201 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401, Los Angeles, United States

3-star hotel

Guest rating: 3.5 / 5

Overview

Hotel Carmel is a 3-star, modest hotel in Santa Monica that dates to 1924 and retains elements of Spanish Revival style. It’s positioned as a laid-back base close to the beach and the Santa Monica Pier, with an overall public rating of 3.5/5 from 660 reviews.

Rooms & Suites

Rooms are air-conditioned and simply furnished with basic wood pieces and quilted bedspreads. Standard in-room features include flat-screen TVs, work desks, and Wi‑Fi (available for a surcharge). Suites add extra space with minifridges and pull-out sofas, which can be useful for longer stays or small groups.

Dining & Drinks

On-site options include free daily coffee plus a casual cafe serving breakfast and lunch. The hotel also has two intimate, trendy bars offering cocktails and small plates, giving guests an easy in-house option for an evening drink.

Location & What’s Nearby

The hotel sits at 201 Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica, about 238 m from the heart of the district. It’s roughly an 8-minute walk to Santa Monica State Beach (590 m) and the Santa Monica Pier (707 m), including Pacific Park on the pier (652 m). Other notable Los Angeles attractions are farther out, such as the Venice Boardwalk (3058 m), Venice Canal Historic District (4269 m), The Getty (7332 m), and Universal Studios Hollywood (18938 m).

Best for

Hotel Carmel suits travelers who want to stay in Downtown Santa Monica and walk to major coastal landmarks like Santa Monica State Beach and the Santa Monica Pier. It’s also a good fit for guests who value in-house food and drink options (cafe plus two cocktail bars) in a smaller, older property with historic character.

Travel tips

If your plans center on the beach and pier, the walk is short (about 590–707 m), so it can be convenient to go without a car for those outings. Many headline LA sights are several miles away (for example, The Getty and The Getty Villa are about 7.3 km), so plan extra travel time for museum days. Wi‑Fi is available for a surcharge, which is worth factoring into your trip budget if you need reliable connectivity.

What guests say

Guests frequently highlight the hotel’s location in Downtown Santa Monica, noting how convenient it is for the pier, beach, and nearby dining. Service is a recurring positive theme, with multiple mentions of friendly staff and quick help resolving issues, including late-night arrivals. Food and drink venues are part of the experience, though some guests feel the value can be uneven, citing small portions for the price. Overall impressions suggest a pleasant atmosphere backed by attentive front-desk support.

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