Poolside at Viceroy Santa Monica

July 13, 2017

Poolside at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica, a luxury boutique hotel by the ocean.

In a city with electric sunsets and wide beaches bordered with palm trees, you’d be crazy not to spend at least a couple of nights on the West Side of Los Angeles when you’re in town. Since I live in Hancock Park, it can be quite a drive for me—and also a rare treat—to spend a day poolside at the luxurious Viceroy Santa Monica. Though it’s not located on the beach, there are ocean-view rooms and plunge pools nestled between the famous Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach.

While it would make a beachy-glam weekend getaway for visitors and locals alike, my friend Christi from Wanderpants and I checked in for a day spent poolside in one of their gorgeous cabañas.

Hold out your glass and let me pour you some bubbly—the Viceroy Santa Monica is my next Stylish Stay.

What I Love: Obviously the incredible retro glam Kelly Wearstler interiors, with my favorite black-and-white color scheme and pops of green throughout. It also has the most glamorous lobby bathroom I have ever seen.

Something to Know: The pool is only open to hotel guests unless you rent a cabaña in advance. They do have a social club called E11Eventh HOUR, with a DJ inside the Lounge area spinning on Friday and Saturday nights from 10 p.m. – 1 a.m that welcomes outside guests.

Suite Dreams: Because I didn’t actually spend the night, I cannot give you first-hand feedback on the rooms, but because this hotel is a Smith Hotel property, I trust that they are up to my (and your) standards. I would, however, request an ocean-view room to take advantage of the location.

Stylish Sips: The Cast Lounge is a hot spot for locals, offering craft cocktails and bar bites from 2p.m.-midnight. Order the Whiskey Sunshine Sour or swing by for a glass of prosecco at happy hour from 5.pm-7 p.m. every day.

Cool Factor: The Viceroy brand has become synonymous with “cool,” and unlike the other Santa Monica hotels that give you a beach house vibe, the Viceroy is sophisticated, sleek and seductive.

Hero Shot: In one of the black and white cabanas holding a glass of bubbly.