HotelChatter

We toured a model room earlier this week and the vibe is very much as Brosh intended--Palihouse at the beach--featuring custom artwork, custom furniture and carefully curated decor (we spied an old IBM clock on the wall in the kitchen of a one-bedroom suite, a Julia Child cookbook on the shelf and crazy cool wallpaper throughout.)

The hotel itself is a thing of beauty, originally built in 1927 with "Moorish-influenced Mediterranean revival architecture" and was later declared a city landmark in 2001. There are al fresco ceilings throughout, old-fashioned carpeted stairs (don't worry, there's a working elevator) and a glorious lobby space with Malibu tile floors, a wood-burning fireplace and blown glass doors that open out to a private patio. It is here in the lobby where Palihouse will house their cafe concept by day and their cocktail lounge by night.

Palihouse also sits in a fairly quiet residential neighborhood, enhancing that relaxed beachy vibe. But if you need action, it's close to both the shops of the Promenade and Montana Avenue (mere blocks away) as well as the beach. There are very few alternatives to the big hotel chains along the beach in Santa Monica (The Oceana and The Huntley are among them) so for that reason alone Palihouse will be a very welcome addition. But we especially think that visitors to Silicon Beach from NYC, SF, Chicago and etc. will seek out Palihouse Santa Monica first.

Opening rates will range from $350 to $1,500 per night. The hotel is currently open as the Embassy but will close for good on April 15th. It will reopen as the Palihouse Santa Monica in June.

[Photos courtesy of Paligroup]