The Georgian Hotel

The Georgian Hotel is one of the best-rated places to stay in Santa Monica. It offers a successful mix of traditional and modern design in a very convenient location.

Since it was built in 1933 as a seaside getaway for the exclusive Hollywood set, the Georgian has been a stylish place to stay on the Santa Monica waterfront. Its exterior design is a fine example of art deco motifs and it's close to the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade. The brainchild of Mrs. Rosamond Borde, a hotel industry pioneer who hired a classically trained architect to create a mix of Romanesque Revival and Art Deco styles, the Georgian was one of the first multi-story buildings in Santa Monica. Hollywood stars used Santa Monica as a place to escape San Fernando Valley heat, and many of the era's most famous individuals stayed at the Georgian. After stints housing businessmen building the burgeoning aerospace industry and as an apartment building whose occupants included Rose Kennedy, the Georgian returns to its roots.

By any standard, the Georgian's rooms are immaculate. Turquoise and black bathroom tiles glisten, the front windows look like they could be in a cleaning product advertisement and there's not a speck of dust to be found.

When Clark Gable and Carole Lombard escaped to the Georgian to avoid prying eyes, the rooms were state of the art. However, they seem a little small by today's standards. Nevertheless, the stylish decor gives a modern feel and charming touches are retained, such as the cleverly designed door peepholes and the original, wood-paneled elevator cars.

Almost everyone who stays at the Georgian loves it, especially its mix of old and new, its charming veranda and excellent location.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with a complimentary accommodation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.