Southern California Santa Monica instead of San Diego..hotel advice please

[mom2aredhead]

We've been out to SoCal twice now, both times spending a few days in Coronado. So now that we've done that twice, I'm thinking we want to stay a little closer up but still visit the beaches, so we were considering Santa Monica. The hotels are pretty expensive, so I'm thinking 3 nights max. However my main concern is more about the family-friendliness. I don't need a kids club or any specific activities for my son, but I do want to stay somewhere where I'll be comfortable walking the grounds and swimming in the pool without other guests and staff being horrified at the sight of a 9 year old kid. I was looking at Casa del Mar (first choice) or the Loews, but I just don't know if we'd be comfortable at either one. Suggestions or thoughts from anyone who has stayed in Santa Monica would be much appreciated.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I don't know very much about kid friendly hotels in Santa Monica, but there is a Doubletree Suites that might work for you. I can't imagine anyone there being "horrified" at your son's being there.

 

[mom2aredhead]

Thanks. Maybe horrified was a little bit of a stretch. Once we inadvertently stayed at a hotel that was a "trendy hot spot" and spent our few days getting the death stare from the 20-something year olds that were drinking their afternoon cocktails by the pool. Not fun.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I can understand how the trendettes might not have appreciated your son's happy (and, like any normal kid, noisy) splashing while they were trying to drink cocktails and get tanned. But since the Doubletree is a suites hotel, that might encourage more families to stay there. I've driven by this hotel, but haven't stayed there. If you want to avoid the trendy set, I probably would steer cleer of the Sheraton Delphina in Santa Monica. We were there once, and even the lobby had a very non-kid friendly atmosphere. Also, if you will have a car, the parking rates in Santa Monica can be pretty steep.

 

[vnuzz]

We stayed at the Sheraton Delfina in 2010 with a 5 and 6 year old. We felt fine using the pool (probably because it was basically empty) but didn't feel comfortable entering the on site restaurant. Kids aside, we didn't really like this hotel as much as we had hoped.

We're returning in September this year and are looking at staying at the Doubletree Suites. It has great reviews on TripAdvisor

 

[mom2aredhead]

We actually decided on the Hyatt in Huntington Beach. Its a little further away, but also a little cheaper since we will be there on a holiday weekend. Of course "cheap" is relative since its definitely still pricey, but I think it'll be nice. I've always had good luck with Hyatt brands.

 

[ncc1701]

We actually decided on the Hyatt in Huntington Beach. Its a little further away, but also a little cheaper since we will be there on a holiday weekend. Of course "cheap" is relative since its definitely still pricey, but I think it'll be nice. I've always had good luck with Hyatt brands.

Great choice. We just got back from our 4th trip .There are plenty of families along with guests w/o children whose ages go from 20's to 50's+ .You can walk up to Main St.(about 20mins.) where there are a wide range of restaurants.They have chairs and umbrella if you want to go to the beach across the street.One of our favorite places to stay when we are in S. Cal.