The Viceroy is a trendy hipster boutique hotel. The decor is very graphic and groovy (giant cameo portraits hanging on the walls, stark black and white with bright yellow chairs. it's like you're walking around in a spread of Domino or Blueprint magazine). I personally think the decor is very fun and the rooms were clean and well appointed and the beds totally comfy. I somehow was upgraded to a junior suite and the bathroom was GIGANTIC with an awesome shower.

The pool area is really cool and a great place to grab a drink (especially at night, where people flock to the cozy cabana/tented lounges). If you are here during the week it is fairly quiet but come weekend the place is jam-packed. I have to admit that I never saw anyone swimming during the day and there was never direct sunlight on the pool. My least favorite thing is the way they keep the hallways and elevator EXTREMELY dark at all times. I understand wanting to create a mood at night, but when you can't even see in the elevator at 9am, its a little ridiculous. Other than that, an enjoyable experience.

I have been on the road traveling for a couple of weeks and was looking forward to my stay at the Viceroy. I usually stay at Casa del Mar or Shutters but have heard some good reviews about the Viceroy. This is definetly a bar/club that happens to have rooms attached to it! The issues began at the door, when the front door was so busy I had a hard time going in. The service throughout the hotel is lackluster, the front desk agents were too preocuppied with servicing bar patrons, calls to the front desk went unanswered, the list goes on and on. Needless to say I left and checked into Shutters.

I stayed at the Viceroy for five days while on business. I was disappointed. One night I couldnt get in my room because the "doorman"/"bouncer" wouldnt let me past the throngs of bar goers to get in. The rooms are okay, the location is across the street from the more desireable hotels Shutters and Casa Del Mar. Noise is an issue.

What disappointed me most was the lack of detail--from endless rings before the operator picked up the phone to "too hip" front desk people more interested in the scene than in four or five star service.

If youre going to spend $300-$400 a night in Santa Monica, go across the street, get a better view, better service and better food without the attitude.

We stayed at the Viceroy for one night and got an excellent impression. It is located close to but not on the beach which is probably why it is a little cheaper than other good hotels in the area. The service was perfect, the rooms are decorated stylishly and the pool scene was very cool. good value.