We could have stayed at this hotel with friends that were already staying there. One had a back bedroom, one an ocean view. After spending sometime with them before check in, we left and decided to spend the night in our rental car!

The location is directly across the street from the public park that eventually takes you to the sand of the beach. You're not on the water. Homeless is an issue in Santa Monica and they are in the vicinity. Every evening the police come by and sweep the park to move the homeless to other areas. From this hotel, you get a bird's eye view of that process.

The hotel is an old 1960's style California motel who's structure has not been updated. It's cute to look at, but once inside you realize with no dead bolts on the room doors, huge 1960's picture windows with ocean view rooms, there isn't any sound security being so open to the street. Decor is tired but clean.

The free parking is somewhat comical. Once you're in your parking spot, it could be a long time before you can get the car out .Guests double park in this narrow little lot due to the fact the entire cities parking system is based on meters.

I'm quite mixed on this hotel. The location is excellent, but the area is full of homeless and police presence. On the flip side the police presence made me feel quite safe. The hotel is old and in need of some updating but it was clean and comfortable. The doors need deadbolts and the windows need darkening shades. There is no AC and the room has ceiling high window vents. If you don't close them, the outside road noise will be quite loud. Close them and you can sleep ok. The location is excellent to the beach and bike path and about a half mile south of Santa Monica Pier. The Tide Bus stop is right there for only 25 cents. Parking is very tight but free considering other hotels charge $12-$20 a night. My room was ocean view #202. A second garden view room was $210 and could be seen from my back window. Ice was 50 cents a bucket full and there is no continental breakfast included. We sat on the balcony in the evening and early morning, relaxed and people watched. My room was $159 plus tax and did have a kitchen (which was spotless). The garden side room was $119 plus tax. The final issue becomes would I stay here again? The answer is "Maybe". Other area hotels are more pricey and trip advisor ratings were not good. If you want an excellent hotel expect to pay $250 and up a night. So if you are traveling on a budget, this is a good hotel as long as you don't expect all the bells and whistles.

Stayed at the bayside end of Sept and its about a 15 min walk to 3rd street but walked it at all times day and night and always felt safe.Its a stones throw from the beach and the free parking is great ! . I loved this hotel its very casual and informal and very california !. It is basic and abit youth hostel decor but very clean, very quiet at night and shower etc: all worked well. It has to be the best deal for Santa Monica by far for location and price. There is alot of homeless people in the whole Santa Monica area but they were never a problem. Would def book this again and worth paying for a sea view so relaxing.

On the good side, we used this as a place to lay our heads for a couple nights. It's so close to the beach and the pier with very nice hotels all around. We used the money we saved and drove up to Disneyland and Malibu very easily.

Bottom line though, do not more out of this (m)hotel than what it is. Instead of a lobby and check in counter, there is a front office and exterior walkways. Picture a smallish room with king size bed and a bathroom with a tub-shower. That's it. I was surprised there was cable. Parking out back was a bit tight. Oddly enough, the parking lot was well lit and I felt safe there but I didn't want to leave anything expensive in the room.