This hotel was such a disappointment. Don't let the internet fool you. Honestly 300 thread count sheets are really not that exciting especially when they have weird stains on them. The jacuzzi in the room could have been nice until we moved the fawcet handle and the ants began pouring out. There was no hot water in the regular sink and the room was deifnitely not clean. $230 later, (after they charge you for parking and room tax, neither of which are mentioned when you check-in) we couldn't leave fast enough!

Sorry we didn't read the reviews before we went! It's amazing how you can disguise reality in an advertisement photo. All those "5 star" reviews seem suspisciously "self-appraised" to make the overall user rating seem high. Many mention "300 thread count sheets" and how quaint, if unconventional the rooms are. Here's how it really is... We were promised a beach side room and when we got there, were told "no, it's not a beach side room.", no apologies or attempt to explain this little misunderstanding. The room was small with two double beds on wheels that kept sliding around so that one of them kept getting in the way of the door. There was also a foot long metal peice that kept jutting out and had to be pushed back under the frame. It rained and there was some major leaking in the ceiling near the bathroom. Looking at the ceiling, it was obvious this was not a new problem. When we informed the front desk, they shrugged it off saying that they would look into it. No offer of a room change or any other compensation was made. Other people have mentioned parking as a major problem. We didn't have a car but there was another guest whose car had been hit in the cramped parking lot (unwitnessed) They weren't having much help from the staff (not their problem). On the plus side..good location and the matresses are pretty decent. Definitely not quaint though!

If you are thinking about staying here, then please do as one reviewer has insisted on you doing, read the comments carefully!!!There are 2 trains of thought throughout these comments....very bad and really good.Yet no 'middle of road' comments.I find the 'good' comments so strange, with their emphesis on 300+ thread counts,wonderful California etc as to be bizare and shallow and yet no comments on parking fees, room problems etc.

Our experiance would be an exact mirror of the 'bad' end of comments, and we can vouch for their (mostly) true and very honest reviews.We stayed here in November 2004 for 2 nights based on a 'friends' advice.While we are still friends we found out later that her recommendation was from another person -- to our detriment.

When we called to check in ,our first problem was indeed the parking.An incredibly tight parking area was already full -not surprising as it can only take 10 cars- and we had to park in Hotel next door-at $15 a night the term rip-off springs to mind.We had a very chatty check in but no offer to help haul our luggage upstairs as the'Hotel 'has no escalator.This "Hotel 'is in reality a "Motel" ,as under European meaning of term ,Hotel,you would be sued for false advertising.So think and receive Motel, if you decide to stay.

Room (no.20) is very disappointing considering rates were $129.00 per night with Tax to be added on to this ,+ parking fee and NO breakfast included !! (Rates quoted for busier periods are $179 + Tax etc !)

You have to go upstairs and then along veranda and you enter room from here.Room is very small, with 2 Queen beds (on wheel bases as stated by others).Oddly one of the Queen beds is set on a wheely base that is for a Kingsize bed.Be careful on going to window side of this bed as base protrudes about 20cm and could take shins off you!There is very very little space between beds and other window/walls.

Our TV could not pick up any watchable channels due to bad interferance/arieal problem but as we were only there to relax and chill, it was not a priority as indeed our purpose on staying here was the same.Bathroom was quite small and 2 of us would not have fitted in hand-basin area space and we are 2 average built people!

We also had a bug problem.A line of Ants were venturing in and out beside wash-hand basin at floor level but we must say it was not a big deal to us but may be an issue with others.This problem is commented on by others and is a true and verifiable comment.Floors are indeed laminated and while quite clean you would expect more plusher furnishings for rates.Room also is devoid of any seating or writing /make-up tables.

No tea/coffee tray is available but we did have a safe.Wardrobe is built-in and too small .We had Internet access available in Check-in Office but as only dial-up, can be very slow.Broadband etc seems to be very limited in US contrary to what we were led to believe ,and we had same dial-up service throughout other places we stayed, so be prepared.

We met Ryan as mentioned and had a funny and fun chat with him.God bless him, but he was the firm believer in Ireland being Lepracauns and other oddities and we had to burst these preconceptions very rapidly with him!But he took it very very well.Good sense of humour!

Overall, we have to agree absolutely with the negative comments which we can verify .The place is overpriced ,due to its location and extra add ons.It has size/space/little critter problems that might be acceptable for 1/2 the rates but not good enough for rates quoted.I am sure the sheets have a 300+ thread count but am not so sure my idea of holidaying would be counting them.Even if gold threaded it could not possibly take away the reality of staying here as re-confirmed by us.

On a more positive side,it is only approx 0.5 km from Pier and about same to down-town.Beach is about 4 min walk directly behind premises but these are only saving graces.Noise was not a problem for us either even though room was facing towards main road .But then again we had brought ear-plugs!

There are a lot of other real "Hotels" nearer along this road stretch which we priced later on-line and found to be a far better road to explore.

The Eagles must have written that ominous song about the Hotel California in Santa Monica. Perched right next to the Santa Monica pier and beach, my Santa Monica-born wife thought it would be perfect. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

It's a small boutique hotel and we were given the best room in the hotel. The best room had a front door that was swollen with moisture and difficult to get open or shut, a heater frame that literally fell off the wall, a window with a broken crank so you couldn't shut it, wireless internet that didn't work (a must for us) and a nice but clueless desk person who tried to help with the wireless connection. On top of that, we were quoted a variable rate for our room (depending upon the day) then were told on arrival that they don't really do day-variable rates, it's one set rate for the room - of course more than we were quoted.

While the rate might be attractive ($189) compared to the world famous Shutters next door (starting at about $400 a nite) and the fact that for $15 more you could enjoy the ammenities of Shutters (pool, etc.) , we would recommend you don't check in. because the Eagles may have been right...