Greeted by grumpy staff at the reception, our room was not ready when we arrived, so we left our luggage and were promised that everything would be taken care of. When we returned at 4pm, we got our room. No luggage. And nobody knew where it was. Then half of it arrived. The rest came much later.

The experience of the restaurant was a mixed blessing as well. Again greeted by a "Do not disturb me" attitude, we found the menu "interesting". The wine we ordered was out of stock. Our food was served to the next table, then came back, and we finally got it - food was good, though.

Staff around the swimming pool was very attentive and friendly. The pool itself was overcrowded with kids. The hotel never got the pool cleaned properly overnight, the water was a bit milky all the way, and lots of sand in the hot tub.

If you and your spouse have different names, make sure you register both names on check-in - should you forget the key and should the room be in the name of the spouse whose name is different, you can otherwise count on spending your time somewhere else than in your room - "all for your safety", of course, will the reception staff tell you. They are always "correct" - never friendly or helpful.

Speaking about your room - WiFi is only available in the lounge, although the system allows you to register, and pay, for WiFi use in your room, but then it disconnects ... but the hotel credited us for this, and we used broadband access in the room instead.

The hotel itself is really beautiful, very nicely situated. Rooms are large, and housekeeping is good at cleaning and changing towels, but better bring your torch in case the lamps don't work. Also, don't count on the TV set - you may think it is patriotic with many stars, and stripes, flashing over the screen.

On the day of check-out, be sure to try to settle your bill early. Reception staff works on an anti-cyclical basis. There are lots of people in the morning, when no guests are checking out, and there were only two people for plenty of guests around 11:30am when everybody wants to check out.

Overall, this hotel could be the most wonderful experience, if its staff in all department were as friendly and attentive as the guys who serve the pool area. There are places with much better service for the same price in Santa Monica - the Merigot, next door to the Loews, is one.

My boyfriend and I wanted a romantic getaway for the weekend and booked our stay at the Loews Santa Monica. We loved the location and friendly knowledgeable staff. The concierge had tons of great suggestions on things to do and places to eat.
We enjoyed one dinner at the restaurant in the hotel and the food was amazing! Our room had a gorgeous view and even the gym was great. What a great trip -- we'll definitely be back!

The hotel itself is beautiful- and for this price it should be. In all, we couldn't have done without the pool and its view-but for 429.00 a night? (widowed mom, 2 kids). Any meals eaten there ran at least 50 to 60 when a block away at the peir--there is a taco bell, burger king, and pizza hut! Gratuities will kill you!!
We purchased a full ocean veiw with balcony--expecting an unobstructed scenic overlook with a deck i could stand on--instead it was a 2nd floor, trees in the way, 1 ft out deck which you can lean on --if the door is open, not step out on.
There is no coffee maker--but 3.00 coffee downstairs (and they expect a tip) and a non-requested full mini bar with 7.00 water and 28.00 champagne and other alcohol, but no place to cool your own drinks, forcing you to buy their items--I just emptied it and put my stuff in it.
Not liking people in my room while not there, I posted the "do not disturb" sign which provoked message after message of housekeeping reminders. On the 3rd day, they just removed the tag and entered anyways!
My itinerary listed inter net--but this means its only available! It cost $10 a day to use!
When my son requested a pair of pant dryed he was informed that the service was only for swim suits--so not all is as it seems.
I requested service to a Universal Studio -BEWARE- tour which departed at 9am and drove you to a downtown building a few blocks away where you then were herded into a building for payments and then waited while they parted you out to the correct buses for the tour--Universal arrival time was 11am. But.....the driver (except for the notice of 15% gratuity on a 411.00 package--ya right!) was exceptionally polite and humorous and picked us up prompty at departure time.
All in all I had a great time and really liked the location--but is anywhere in Santa Monica bad? (I'm from Minnesota) Perhaps I just had champagne taste on a beer budget--but then somethings are just plain rip offs! It is a tourist trap, after all. HAVE LOTS OF MONEY READY!!!

After travelling round, we decided to end our vacation with a week on the beach in LA. This was a mistake. if you have kids who want to see Disney and Universal or things to do in LA then if you dont mind the $400 a day plus (if you have a car to park) this will do but if you don't need to be in LA, find somewhere else.

The hotel is not quite on the beach but close enough. The road you cross is nothing. The beach is very wide, seema a long way to the ocean. You are very close to the pier which looked fun and around 1.5 miles from Venice Beach which is great, specially on Sunday when the Americans go out to play.

You are also a short walk for the 3rd Street promenade where there is a "no traffic" zone, cinemas, restaurants and shops.

The rooms are good, the staff are eager to please, you do feel important when you stay here. The LA traffic is terrible. There are down and outs on the street near the hotel (well we have them in London too but somehow in the USA you dont see so many) The pool is not great, small, no deeper than 4 feet and, in season, full of kids.

Like many hotels of this quality, the facilities can be expensive $10 for 10 minutes on the internet ( the concierge will tell you the local internet cafe). It is very close to Shutters and a few other similarly priced hotels. We did not get to see them to compare. We had booked in for week but had not prepaid so after three days we checked out and drove to Palm Springs where we spent 4 days in luxury ( off season in August) for the price of one night in Loews.

Its not their fault. Its a good hotel in an expensive city, probably no more than a similar hotel might be in London. The staff are excellent. Its clean,and on the beach.

The question you need to ask is...do you really need to be in LA