Stay Open Venice Beach

11 Brooks Ave Apt B, Venice, CA 90291, Venice, United States

2-star hotel

Guest rating: 4.9 / 5

Overview

Stay Open Venice Beach is a 2-star, design-forward hostel located just steps from the Venice Beach Boardwalk, in a building associated with architect Frank Gehry. It caters to guests age 21 and older seeking a stylish, social, budget-friendly base near the beach. The property blends hostel-style shared accommodations with boutique design touches rather than a traditional hotel layout.

Rooms

Accommodations are mixed-gender dorm rooms featuring pod-like bunk beds with privacy curtains for a more personal sleeping space within a shared room. Each bed area includes Wi-Fi access, air conditioning, and a locker for storing belongings. Bathrooms are shared among guests rather than in-room.

Amenities & Common Areas

Communal spaces include chic lounges, a co-working office for guests who need to get online or get work done, a shared kitchen, and a rooftop terrace with views over the beach. Laundry facilities are also available on site. Note that minimum-stay requirements may apply depending on dates.

Location

The hostel sits just 75 meters from the Venice Beach Boardwalk, making it effectively beachfront. It is roughly 1.2 km from the Venice Canal Historic District, about 2.8-3.4 km from Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park, Santa Monica State Beach, and Downtown Santa Monica, and around 4 miles from Interstate 10 for those driving in or out. Farther afield, the Getty Villa, Getty Center, Hammer Museum, LACMA, Petersen Automotive Museum, La Brea Tar Pits, Academy Museum, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Universal Studios Hollywood are all within a roughly 8-20 km drive.

Best for

This hostel is best suited to solo travelers, backpackers, and young adults (21+) who want a social, design-conscious stay directly on Venice Beach at a budget price point. Its shared dorms, co-working office, and lounges also appeal to remote workers or digital nomads looking for a communal atmosphere, while the beachfront location and boardwalk proximity suit anyone prioritizing walkability to the sand over private-room comforts.

Travel tips

Book directly with the property when possible and confirm reservation details in advance, as some guests have reported booking mix-ups when reserving through third-party sites for another person. The hostel is about 4 miles from Interstate 10, so travelers with cars should factor in city driving time to reach the freeway, while those relying on the Boardwalk and nearby Venice Canals can walk easily. Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park, and Downtown Santa Monica are all within roughly 2-3.5 km, an easy bike or rideshare trip, while Hollywood-area and Getty-area attractions are best reached by car given the greater distance.

What guests say

Guest feedback is mixed. Many reviewers praise the easy check-in process, comfortable and cozy pod-style beds, and the attractive shared kitchen, bathroom, and lounge spaces, reflecting the property's design-focused common areas. However, at least one detailed account describes serious booking and customer service problems, including a reservation being cancelled without clear explanation, difficulty reaching the business by phone, a guest's belongings being put outside, and unresolved billing charges. This suggests that while the physical spaces and initial guest experience are often well-regarded, communication and reservation handling have been a significant pain point for some guests.

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