Last year we stayed at the Casa Del Mar across the street (great property!) and this year I wanted something different so we stayed at the Viceroy. While the exterior looks dated, the interior is a designer's dream with its funky black and white decor. It's only too bad it rained the entire time we were here.

We arrived at 11:30 a.m. on a weekday morning and the front desk did whatever they could to be able to check us in -- including upgrading us to a suite which was very unexpected. The room had a nice water view and was well appointed. They even gave us free Internet with the suite.

We had breakfast in the restaurant each morning and it was wonderful with a very nice staff. They had a great choice of breakfast items including even quinoa and poached eggs with spinach and squash that was amazing!

My only complaint is that on the Saturday we stayed, we left our room at 8:30 a.m. and returned at about 4 p.m. only to find the room had not been serviced. When we called down we were told that we should not have left our "Privacy Please" sign on the door (which we didn't but everyone we talked to automatically assumed we did which was very annoying) and then we were given an excuse that the hotel was sold out the night before so they were backed up which is not a good excuse to give -- I work in the hotel industry and you don't tell people that. We had then wanted to relax a bit and shower before going to dinner so we asked them to please make up the room between 6 and 9 which they did, but I don't think we should have had to ask twice for them to do that (after I called down I also stopped at the front desk to make sure they would do it while we were out to dinner as I didn't want to have to be complaining again and asking for my room to be made up at 10 at night -- particularly since a wedding was taking place and there were people everywhere).

Due to the wedding, it got pretty noisy at 2 a.m. in the hallways with drunken celebrants, but that was really the only negative. Unfortunately when you are in a hotel on a Saturday night, weddings are pretty commonplace and is where the hotel makes their money.

The valet parking guys were great. You called down and your car was waiting before you got down in the elevator. Since it was raining we couldn't enjoy the pool or the outside seating, but it looked really nice. Would highly recommend the hotel -- but the area surrounding it in Santa Monica is a little dicey if you go walking after dark. Take your car.

Only other complaint was that the a/c unit in the room went on and off literally every 2 minutes so it kept waking me up all night long. Not sure why it didn't keep the room cooler longer than that as I had never seen anything like that.

Took advantage of a referral and stayed here rather than my usual! Super fantastic everything. Location! Service! Accommodation! Definitely recommend staying here and I will be back soon. The staff were so amazing! Glass of bubbly waiting with chocolates at reception for my arrival, need I say more???????

The Viceroy is everything you hope it will be: classy and sophisticated, but still friendly. They upgraded us to an ocean view room and we were able to see the sunset directly from our (small) balcony. I would absolutely stay at the Viceroy again!

Having just finished 2 nights at The JW Marriott across the street my husband was reluctant to leave and try the Viceroy for our 3rd night. I had a special rate via email and insisted.
From the moment we arrived we were both blown away! Decor was superb & energizing. Staff was personal and welcoming - made us feel like we just arrived home. Complimentary glass of champagne awaited us.
Viceroy has an upscale boutique feeling. Entire hotel was spotless.
Stayed on the top floor overlooking pool. Room made good use of space, quiet, luxurious and what a comfortable bed!
Enjoyed cocktails/ appetizers in the bar, ate breakfast in Whist. Fantastic menu, well prepared food. Fairly priced for Santa Monica - pricey town overall.
Guests during our stay were mostly mid 30's to 60's (probably due to no DJ that night?).
Hard to find the hotel because there is no large sign posted, just small parking entrance signs. Not next to the promenade but a short 3 minute cab ride.
When visiting family in town this will become our new "home-away-from-home"