From the moment we got to the hotel it exceeded all expectations. The hotel itself is beautiful and the room was spacious and stylish. The pool area is luxurious as is the reception. We came back to our room on the first day to find a bottle of champagne (not the cheap stuff) and some chocolate dipped strawberries - they had been put there as we were on our honeymoon. I have been to many excellent hotels on holiday and with work, and this is by far the best. It was luxurious, well situated and the staff was excellent. It was a perfect start to our honeymoon.

We were really pleased to have selected The Viceroy. We had two nights here straight after flying into LA from London and it was a great place to arrive to.

The staff were very friendly on arrival - when the Doorman knows your name before you've stepped out of your car you know they have done their homework. The rooms were excellent and the decor very classy and chic. The pool is small but the pool area itself with cabanas around is "mighty fine" and when you sit and have your cocktail you feel like you have quickly immersed yourself into the LA scene.

We wandered along for a late night drink down the street at Chez Jay's. This is an aesthetically challenged bar from the outside but had a really good atmosphere inside. Worth catching.

As regards location for seeing the LA sites we found it fine. It is not on the sea front in Santa Monica - it's a block back - but this doesn't spoil your enjoyment. We did have one odd moment when we discovered that the maid had left our door ajar - but nothing was missing and it just seemed a lapse. It wouldn't stop us giving the hotel an excellent recommendation though.

Another hotel were staff think they are the next Tom Hanks and forget they actually work at a hotel. Not a well designed hotel and specifically not thought through - seems there is a lack of experience of what a hotel should provide anyway. It doesn't feel like a hotel, it feels like a bad copy of a real design hotel.

loved the viceroy, looks like a travel lodge from outside but inside its amazing, great small pool area and bar, food and drink are expensive, but i would totally recommend staying, we loved this place, service was amazing.