While it's not beachfront, IMO the LXR location is great - Santa Monica is one of the best parts of LA and I find being right on Palisades Park very appealing. The Marriott beachfront option (LM) is mediocre, and Shutters is very expensive. I might also consider the new Design Hotel, Santa Monica Proper, which is a similar concept to LXR, and gets very good reviews (but is not on the palisades).
I find the Hilton certs difficult to use, which is why I burned one here (W/A had no availability). There's just a dearth of high end Hilton properties, particularly in the U.S.