The Loews in Santa Monica was great. Upon driving up my friend remarked "it looks like a giant California Pizza Kitchen restaurant!" The yellow and blue awnings are a bit cheap looking but the inside is very luxe and modern. The lobby bar and waiting area were very lively-though that could have been due soley to World Cup watchers. Our room faced the ocean. It was spacious clean and modern. I loved the bathroom! it had a great steam shower and a whirlpool tub. There was a bit of construction going and so it was a bit noisy during the day but at night the sound of the ocean rolling in could not be beat. The Santa Monica pier area is home to many homeless folks so if you are up early to walk on the beach or go for a run you will see them. The staff at the hotel was very courteous and helpful. The price was reasonable given that you can just walk across the street to the beach. The pool area was also nice but a bit smaller than it looks in the pictures. The gym facility was very good with an excellent assorment of free weights, weight machines and cardio machines and ample room to use it all.

I would have rated this hotel terrible, but at check out when I went throught my list of, mold on ceiling of the shower, only one bath robe, suppose to be an ocean front room but could not see the water for the bushes, and if I jumped up and down on the bed I could see the ferris wheel on Santa Monica pier, out of pinot noir at the bar, out of sauvignon blanc at the bar, tons of kids running all over the place, they discounted us half the room rate. For over $400 per night they should be ashamed of their selves, Never again

I found the accomodations and staff at Loews Santa Monica to be top drawer people. The room view was awesome (we were upgraded to a full ocean view); the pool staff demonstrated great service; the hotel breakfast outperforms most hotel restaurants and the meal wasn't pricey - right down to the security staff who helped us with suggestions for our morning ocean run. At first we were going to stay at nearby SHUTTERS and spend both arms and legs - thank goodness they were sold out and Loews only cost one leg and half an arm. I highly recommend Loews - if you seek a location by the beach, near the action and still chill.

I just completed a four night stay at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. I agree that it's a 4 Star hotel, but it's time for some room upgrades. There should be a real desk chair, not an upholstered living room chair. Toilet was an inconvenience having to be flushed by pushing a large button in the center of the tank and flushing sounded like an explosion. Wall coverings were patched rather than replaced. Very loud noise when turning off the shower.

As others have mentioned, everything is overpriced.

Both times I called for service, it took much too long for the phone to be answered.

My stay ended on a very sour note. I was charged for parking for all four nights. I didn't have a car and when I said I didn't, the clerk had the nerve to question me. Since the car parkers would have to initiate the charge and I never gave anyone my room number, I really don't understand how this could happen.

Most employees who I encountered were friendly and accommodating.