Santa Monica Luxury Hotels:
Le Meridien Delfina

There are many Santa Monica luxury hotels and while Le Meridien Delfina is not right by the beach it has a great bar, pool, restaurant.

Reception of Le Meridien Delfina, a luxury Santa Monica Hotel

The Reception Area

There’s certainly no shortage of Santa Monica luxury hotels, but Le Meridien Delfina appealed to us as soon as we walked through the doors.

It managed to be both stylish and intimate at the same time. At the far end of the chic-looking lobby, the bar stood out with its array of brightly-colored backlit bottles. Beyond that, doors led to the swimming pool, and all around the place there were sculptures and art-works that added to the interest of staying there.

The Bar

Bad News, Good News

The bad news was that our room wasn’t quite ready, which wasn’t the hotel’s fault as we’d got there early after a short drive from Dana Point, with the Los Angeles traffic for once not being too bad.

The receptionist couldn’t have been sweeter and more helpful, and suggested we might like a drink by the pool and she’d come and call us when the room was available.

Before we knew it she was back out again, and said that to save us waiting too long she'd put us into a better room. Now that’s service.

Enjoy our YouTube Slide Show of Le Meridien Delfina

Our Room at Le Meridien Delfina

The room was terrific, with acres of space and a relaxing cream and blue color-scheme. The best bit was out on the balcony. Well, the two best bits. One was the view down to the ocean, and the other was – a hot tub! Yes, a hot tub on the balcony, set back so it was private, and before you knew it we had the tub filled and were relaxing enjoying the view.

Not all rooms have ocean views, however. Some have mountain views, so if you want to see that ocean, be sure to ask when you reserve. Almost all the rooms do have large balconies, though.

Guest bedroom at Le Meridien Delfina, a luxury Santa Monica Hotel

Our Room

Dining Options

Most luxury hotels have two dining options. There’ll be a casual bistro/café kind of a place, and there’ll be a formal dining room. Le Meridien Delfina was refreshingly different. You could eat in the bar at the end of the lobby, which was almost always buzzing, while on the Mezzanine Level was the i.café and Surf Bar, where there were computer terminals, another bar, and a proper dining room where breakfast was also served.

Our Pick of the LA Guides

Both places were refreshingly casual, and served from more or less the same menu. And while the approach was relaxed, the food was superb. Choices ranged from sandwiches, soup and lots of Small Bites like crab cakes and calamari through to proper entrées. These included king salmon and cous cous, striped bass, eggplant roulade, and some of the best steak frites we’ve tasted in a long time.

Guest bedroom balcony at Le Meridien Delfina, a luxury Santa Monica Hotel

The View From Our Room

Le Meridien Delfina Location

Although the Delfina isn’t close to the beach, you do pay a premium on room rates in some other hotels for that convenient access. In practical terms, we didn’t find it a drawback at all. It was about an 8-minute walk down to the sea front, and a little further to the 3rd Street Promenade.

The swimming pool at Le Meridien Delfina, a luxury Santa Monica Hotel

The Swimming Pool Behind the Hotel

Additional Amenities

There is complimentary self-parking in a garage directly below the hotel, though you could enjoy Valet Parking too if you prefer. There’s a heated plunge pool, surrounded by private cabanas, and a Fitness Center too. The hotel is also 100% smoke-free.

Contact Details

Le Meridien Delfina
530 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, California 90405
Tel: 310/399-9344
Toll-free: 888/627-8532

Where to Stay in Santa Monica

Other Santa Monica Pages

MacCallum House Inn
The historic MacCallum House Inn and Restaurant is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Mendocino Village, which includes cottages and suites.
Napa Wine Country Inn
The Napa Wine Country Inn and Gardens in St Helena overlooks a vineyard and has free wine tastings every evening and offers guests help with booking wine tours.
Where to Stay in Carmel
Where to Stay in Carmel include reviews of the Mission Ranch, Sea View Inn, The Cypress Inn, Lamp Lighter Inn and Vagabond's House Inn.
Morro Bay
Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.
Los Angeles Airport Hotels
Los Angeles Airport hotels include Hilton, Radisson, Marriott, Embassy Suites, Crowne Plaza and other top names, all of them within a mile or so of LAX.
Santa Barbara Beachfront Hotel
The Oceana Santa Barbara beachfront hotel has a perfect seafront location, close to Stearns Wharf and State Street, and whale watching cruises.
Best Time to Visit Santa Monica
Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the best time to visit Santa Monica with a monthly summary of weather, hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.
Vagabond's House Inn
Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.
Where to Stay in San Diego
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's website recommendations on Where to Stay in San Diego include reviews of budget and luxury hotels in downtown San Diego.
Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo
The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.
Pictures of Santa Monica
Pictures of Santa Monica from Pacific Coast Highway Travel to help anyone thinking of staying in Santa Monica on their PCH drive.
California Coast Hotels and Inns
The California Coast's hotels, inns, guesthouses, b&bs and other places to stay include 5-star luxury hotels and resorts, motel chains, RV parks and camping.
Inn at Morro Bay
The Inn at Morro Bay offers accommodation in Morro Bay State Park, close to beach and wildlife, with outdoor pool, just off the Pacific Coast Highway.
Madonna Inn, California
The Madonna Inn is a historic landmark resort hotel in San Luis Obispo, California, with 109 uniquely decorated rooms, steak house, and fitness centre.
Dana Point Hotel
For a Dana Point hotel next to the beach and near the harbor for whale watching cruises, the Doubletree Suites by Hilton with its ocean views is hard to beat.
Franciscan Inn Santa Barbara
The historic Franciscan Inn in Santa Barbara, California, near the Pacific Coast Highway, is in a quiet location near the beach ideal for those driving PCH.
Hotel Shangri-La
The Hotel Shangri-La in Santa Monica overlooks the Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Monica Beach and is a short walk from Santa Monica Pier.
Monterey Inn
For a Monterey Inn just off the Pacific Coast Highway in California, the Mariposa Inn and Suites is hard to beat, providing good accommodation close to PCH.
Best Hotels in Santa Monica with Spas
The best hotels in Santa Monica combine spa luxury with easy access to the beach, among them Shutters on the Beach, Fairmont Miramar, Casa del Mar and Merigot
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach
The Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel is Ventura 's only beachside hotel with ocean front swimming pool and rooms with ocean views.
Cambria Lodging at the Cambria Pines Lodge
If you’re looking for a Cambria Lodging then the Cambria Pines Lodge in Cambria is a few miles from San Simeon and Hearst Castle.
Events in Santa Monica: Glow
Of all the events in Santa Monica, Glow must be the most amazing, an all-night celebration of art and culture and one of the USA's largest public art events.
Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on the Central Coast of California
The Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on California's Central Coast has oceanfront views, swimming pool, gardens, and is right on the beach near Hearst Castle.
Best Restaurants in Santa Monica
Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks ten of the best restaurants in Santa Monica, including Californian, Asian, vegetarian, Italian, and seafood choices.