Cal Mar Hotel Suites

My first stay here, and I absolutely loved it. The rooms were large and nice, and the staff were very friendly. Five stars, highly recommend.

The staff were what stood out most. They brought a medicine delivery right to my door, gave detailed directions about the area, and helped me find the promenade. Everything in my room looked and felt clean, with fresh sheets. At first, the air had a bit of a “grandma’s house” smell, but to me, that just felt like a clean home. In a word, hospitable. The place feels straight out of the 60s or 70s, which suits me. Some people may find the amenities dated, but I liked them because they last and everything works. The kitchenette was full, and I had a bathroom, living room with a desk, dining area, and bedroom. It stayed cool during the day and warm when the evening got chilly. I couldn’t ask for more. There can be some daytime noise, as anywhere around here, but I still got work done and met with clients without interruptions. It’s unquestionably one of Santa Monica’s best-kept secrets.

Being close to the beach, shops, food, and stores was great, and the place felt like a roomy little apartment with one or two beds. It had a fridge, stove, and dishes, though I brought my own dishes and cleaning supplies. The deposit came back quickly, which was a nice surprise since hotels usually take forever. The room was okay for one night, but the heat smelled like something was burning, the blinds were dirty, and there was still hair on the floor. I used my own Lysol and wipes.

The room was very clean and the service was friendly, but we barely slept. With no A/C, the windows had to stay open, and the fans kept tripping the breakers. All night we heard homeless people rummaging through the trash and breaking glass, traffic in the alley, bins rolling to the dumpsters from nearby hotels, and inconsiderate guests outside. It was a miserable experience for my one year old granddaughter. We might have rested better on the sidewalk benches.