Originally Posted by
Wonderboynyc
It was years ago, so the comment might not be current, but I stayed at what was billed as a luxury hotel, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bugalows in Santa Monica, CA.
I had an ocean view room, and the room was very basic and somewhat dinged up. And the balcony planter had a few dead plants and a bunch of dug up earth. It would have been more inviting if they would have paved it over with cement and stuffed a few fake flowers in it.
I have found that most Fairmont hotels have traditionally suffered from lack of upkeep to the point of being embarrassed for them that they consider themselves a luxury brand. But, this property was worse than most.
For Santa Monica I would recommend Shutters (more traditional) or Casa Del Mar (trendier).
Which reminds me of a miserable stay not far away at the Ritz in Marina del Rey. It was in the middle of the summer and they had a West Hollywood disco thing going at the pool! Absolutely couldn't believe it -- must have been at least a hundred guests that day who swore they'd never return!