Stayed here in the summer of July 2012 with two friends. We had a Premier Ocean View room with two queen beds which was very adequate for the three of us. Room was very clean.. Bathroom was clean and up to date.... View was okay nothing special, but you could see somewhat of a ocean view.. Location is very good.. A short walk to the beach which was a nice clean beach and not to crowded...Also a short walk to the 3rd Street promenade which is very nice full of restaurants and shops....The concierge at the hotel did help us out in booking a car rental..Didnt get her name , but she was very helpful and nice..,,We valet parked the car and its a 30 per day charge with in and out privileges.....Rooftop restuanrant/bar was very nice.. We did not eat there, but went up for a drink one night.. Don't get me wrong the ambiance it very nice, but it wasn't my crowd (its a lilttle bit of a older crowd up there)..Drinks were averagly priced for a bar well at least for me being from NYC where drinks can go up to 20$.. There are many restaurants and bars in walking distance and Santa Monica is very clean and safe place... I believe I left on a thursday and there was somewhat of a farmers market in the area.. Not exactly sure where , but def. close by.LA/Hollywood is about a 20min. drive from the hotel we did one afternoon...I recommend to anyone else looking for a nice place to stay in Santa Monica... I am a frequent traveler and loving staying in beautiful hotels so look out for more upcoming reviews

This must have been a groundbreaking hotel when it first opened and don't get me wrong it is still fabulous in many ways - the location is superb, just a short one block walk from the beach and what a gorgeous beach! Venice Beach is perhaps 10 minutes stroll from the front door and in the other direction a 10 minute stroll takes you to great chic shopping.

The hotel decor feels 80's (maybe 90's) so it isn't quite as sharp as it could be! Check in was fast and friendly, as it should; however arriving at 11am on a Saturday morning our rooms were not ready - but that's OK, we were a party of 3 arriving early!

So we went to the Penthouse Restaurant for lunch and that was chic (very 90210) and full of beautiful people trying hard to be noticed - the food was also posing on the plates but it was delicious - I had an authentic and tasty Eggs Benedict; the views out of the surround windows were gorgeous - looking far out to Malibu in the north and the sea to the west! The window tables (populated by the 90210 set) were like canopied cabanas and they were much sought after - we couldn't get one.

My room was superb (though dated in orange and beige!) with a bath in the room plus a separate ensuite shower room. Comfortable bed! Great sleep! Huge flat screen TV was positioned in the centre of the room and like an elegant demure pole dancer swiveled around to face either the bed or the couch!

However no complimentary coffee making facility! Some of us need coffee immediately we rise and don't want to wait for room service - and being a hotelier I know that its all those individual coffees that take up room service time and manpower! Something for the Huntley to learn!

Dinner that evening was booked (recommended) in the Penthouse Restaurant and it was perfect! Service was fast, friendly and efficient! The food was the star of the evening and isn't that what a restaurant is all about? I had lamb that was so delicious and tender that it was like an angels breath on my tongue and there was enough of it, I didn't have to search around my plate to find it. Is there a downside? Well for me (and its probably an age thing) but the restaurant becomes a trendy night club as the evening progresses and I was there for a great dinner so the loud obtrusive music chased me back to my room.

I would return - but only if I could have the same room - my friends didn't fare as well - their's were standard style bedrooms - bath behind a door and TV against the wall - and still no coffee!

The Huntley is a great choice for the combination of location, quality and price. If you are actually in a movie then perhaps stay in Hollywood. If not, you can't beat Santa Monica for a taste of LA life. Rooms are not huge but fine and quality facilities. Staff no problem. Recommend.

Stayed precruise ideal position near shops and near beach.rooms nice.very clean.....i would definately stay here again.not far from here is a paved street lots of restaurants.stores...and in the evening entertainment
..at the far end one of the best places for breakfast.....