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90405 Travel Guide

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'Catch' The Ocean Views at Casa Del Mar and Maybe Even Pull in a Celeb Sighting

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 1910 Ocean Way [map], Santa Monica, CA, United States, 90405
July 31, 2009 at 5:16 PM | by juliana | 0 Comments

We often forget about Casa Del Mar, located on the beach in Santa Monica. That's probably because we're too busy focusing on the celebrity sightings at the valet at Shutters on the Beach or the tequila tasting that goes on at the party-centric Viceroy Hotel.

However last Saturday, we remembered just how much we loved the views from Casa Del Mar's lobby bar which has full-frontal views of the Pacific Ocean. And since we hadn't tried dinner at the hotel's restaurant, Catch, we thought that would be the best way to enjoy a low-key Saturday night with friends.

We picked a good day too as the waves in Southern California were hitting record heights, giving us a little more action with our ocean view. The restaurant, just to the left of the lobby bar, is actually quite small and most of the tables are situated near the windows, of course.

We were seated in a small booth which had comfy, neutral-colored cushions with cute little back pillows. We actually sank into the booth which we much prefer over of one of those hard wood booths or one with squeaky leather seating (ladies who wear short dresses you know what we mean.) However, we probably sank a little too low as we felt like a small child sitting at the grown-ups table. Want more rigid seating? Ask for a table directly next to the window.

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Sheraton Delfina Sends Us To The Circus

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 530 Pico Blvd [map], Santa Monica, CA, United States, 90405
July 28, 2009 at 9:12 AM | by amandak | 0 Comments

So we didn't like it when the Sheraton Delfina wanted to charge us for using their iPod and we didn't much like the view, but it's amazing how fast we can forget these indiscretions now that they've put together a package with our favorite lil' circus of all, the Cirque du Soleil.

With Cirque's incredible Kooza show soon to start running in a big top on Santa Monica Pier, the Sheraton Delfina has put together a combo package so we can enjoy the circus and have a decent place to sleep nearby. Despite the corny name - Kooza for Twooza - the deal seems good: you can get overnight accommodation for two, tickets for two to Cirque du Soleil, a bottle of wine and free transportation to and from the show.

Packages start from $359 plus tax which isn't too bad for a room and tickets, but you have to buy them at least a week ahead of time. The deal is good for nearly all of Cirque du Soleil's season from August 16 to December 20 but there's a blackout on November 3 to 11 – and the performers get Monday off so make sure you time your stay right or you'll have to entertain yourselves with your own circus antics.

[Photo: spcbrass]

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Spend a Fortune to Sleep with John Mayer at Casa Del Mar

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 1910 Ocean Front Walk [map], Santa Monica, CA, United States, 90405
December 10, 2008 at 2:57 PM | by Jenna | 1 Comment

This is for a good cause — 100% of the proceeds from this package are going to Musicians On Call ("a nonprofit organization that brings the healing power of music to patients in healthcare facilities") — so we're not going to hate on this despite the way some of us may or may not feel about John Mayer. We just want to tell you about it in case, you know, you're a big enough John Mayer fan that the idea of being pushed out to sea on a boat with him might seem awesome.

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One Pico at Shutters Gets a Facelift

April 16, 2008 at 4:41 PM | by juliana | 1 Comment

One of our personal favorite beachside Santa Monica hotels has got a new look inside. Eater LA has the scoop on the renovations completed at the One Pico fine dining restaurant inside Shutters on the Beach.

The room will have a breezier look, lots of ocean blues (in this case teal tufted leather chairs), dark wood accents; the lovely beachside views remain.

Michael Reardon, who's now executive chef of all the ETC Hotel properties (Casa del Mar next door and Canary Hotel in Santa Barbara included), created a seasonal, Italian-inspired menu. Think: grilled octopus with potatoes and capers, homemade pastas, steak Fiorentina, John Dory with langoustines and farmer's market vegetables.

The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner and should open officially sometime this week. For a more casual setting, hit up Coast on the bottom floor which also got a renovation fairly recently. The terrace and pool deck is still under construction and will reopen on April 25th.

Fun fact: the hotel will chauffeur you around in a Mercedes-Benz with the license plates 1PICO. That's so California!

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Brady's Baby Momma Secretly Rejoicing at Shutters Hotel?

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: One Pico Boulevard [map], Santa Monica, CA, United States, 90405
February 4, 2008 at 11:00 AM | by juliana | 0 Comments

While Tom Brady was having the worst game of the season in the biggest game of the year yesterday, Bridget Moynahan (his ex-girlfriend and baby momma) was cool as a cucumber while brunching at Shutters on the Beach Hotel in Santa Monica.

Gossip Girls report:

The "Recruit" actress was caught by the paparazzi over at the Shutters Hotel yesterday afternoon for a little pre-game grub. And the new mommy was looking comfy and casual in a striped sweater, overcoat, and a simple pulled-back hairdo. If she was feeling a little jealous of her ex, Tom Brady, it didn't last long.

Ok so technically if she was there before the game started she couldn't be rejoicing (yet) but maybe she was confident that her game jinxing tricks would work?

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A Hotel's Pay-For-iPod Policy

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 530 West Pico Boulevard [map], Santa Monica, CA, United States, 90405
April 20, 2007 at 9:31 AM | by juliana | 1 Comment

The other day when we were taking our tour of the Sheraton Delfina we came across this little sign on the desk in the guestroom.

Chill out to our signature sounds with the complimentary use of an iPod Nano for two hours, then $15 each additional hours

$15 for each additional two hours? It just seems outrageous, mostly because many other hotels offer you an iPod to use while you're a guest...for free. Like at Gramercy Park Hotel which comes fully loaded with original playlists. But if you happen to walk away with it after your stay,  you will promptly be charged something like $800.

Related Stories:
· Guess the Hotel: Hotel Revealed! [HotelChatter]

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Room with a Killer View: Sheraton Delfina

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 530 West Pico Boulevard [map], Santa Monica, CA, United States, 90405
April 19, 2007 at 9:15 AM | by juliana | 0 Comments

We are suckers for a room with a killer view. We find that we are even more likely to forgive some minor hotel inconveniences if we can stare out the window at something pretty--yeah we are that shallow. Let's help out our fellow hotel mavens by uploading rooms with killer views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. We will feature our favorites in this space from time to time. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number of the hot view.

Here's a somewhat killer view from the Sheraton Delfina in Santa Monica. It's actually a good view when the coastal haze and fog burns off in the afternoons because you can see straight to the ocean. But we'll admit, this view from Room 434 can also be an anti-view.

See the not so pretty view after the jump.

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Guess The Hotel: Hotel Revealed!

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 530 West Pico Boulevard [map], Santa Monica, CA, United States, 90405
April 18, 2007 at 12:52 PM | by juliana | 0 Comments

Yesterday, we posted this picture of a hotel somewhere in California with the following hints:

· It's somewhere in California.
· It's a big brand hotel, one you find pretty much everywhere, especially near airports.
· This hotel is not next to an airport.

The mystery hotel is revealed, along with more photos and a video tour after the jump.

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Angelina Jolie Has Disappointed Us in More Ways Than One

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 1 Pico Boulevard [map], Santa Monica, CA, United States, 90405
January 24, 2007 at 10:42 AM | by juliana | 0 Comments

Angelina Jolie in addition to being a Brad-lover, a Third World-children lover, an airplane-lover and a tattoo-lover, is without a doubt, a hotel-lover. Her latest act of devotion to hotels? Paying $700 for two hours at Shutters on the Beach, so Maddox and her could freshen up after a day at the beach. Star Magazine reports::

"Angelina said they only wanted the room for two hours -- time enough for them both to take a shower," says a source. "She was very sweet and seemed like a concerned mom. It was just very bizarre, when she and Brad own two houses here in Los Angeles, that she would need to spend that kind of money on a hotel room just so she and Maddox could shower."

Remember the good ole days when she used to stash sex toys in hotel rooms? Now she's probably stashing diapers and Wiggles videos.

Related Stories:
· Angelina and Maddox's $700 Shower [Star Magazine]

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Pam Anderson Picks Shutters on the Beach as Her Divorce Hotel

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: One Pico [map], Santa Monica, CA, United States, 90405
November 28, 2006 at 12:15 PM | by juliana | 0 Comments

Pam Anderson and Kid Rock had approximately four wedding celebrations for each of the four months they were married, before Anderson abruptly filed for divorce yesterday.

Page Six reports that it was Pammy's appearance in the Borat movie that set Kid Rock off.

Her friend tells Page Six, "Bob started screaming at Pam, saying she had humiliated herself and telling her, 'You're nothing but a whore! You're a slut! How could you do that movie?' - in front of everyone. It was very embarrassing.

Um, Kid? Have you seen the Pam and Tommy Lee sex tape?

Nevertheless, Anderson and her two sons left the couple's Malibu mansion, and fled to Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica for a few days while Kid Rock cleaned his stuff out. Which is what most celebs seem to do when in the midst of a divorce.

We're sure she'll make some good use of the hotel spa and who knows? Maybe she'll take a nostalgic run on the nearby beach a la Baywatch style.

Related Stories:
· Pam splits over Kid blowup [Page Six]
· Chris Robinson and 'Butterscotch Stallion' Share Love of Kate Hudson and the Sunset Marquis [HotelChatter]

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Hot Hotel Eats: One Pico

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: One Pico Boulevard [map], Santa Monica, CA, United States, 90405
June 12, 2006 at 9:45 AM | by juliana | 0 Comments

Hotels aim to pamper their guests and the ones that do it best are the ones where you never have to step outside the hotel to get what you need or want.

One way of doing that is by offering great restaurants. This week, which is also Restaurant Week at select hotels, we are looking at some of the notable hotel restaurants that we've heard about. Of course, we welcome suggestions for new restaurants to try so let us know which hotel restaurants you've tried and loved or hated.

One Pico inside Santa Monica's Shutters on the Beach offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica pier. Bearing the same name as the hotel's address, the restaurant's menu is described as "modern American" and is updated seasonally by chef Andri Tscharner "to keep the flavor fresh." Naturally, the seafood dishes like seared ahi are not to be passed on. Although it's a pricey fare ($41-$80 is listed on CitySearch) the food, friendly service and beach views won't disappoint. Valet on the other hand is always a pain.

While watching the sunset during a dinner is a romantic scene, the hotel wins better raves for its Sunday brunches. And like everything in California don't let the formal dining room dictate what you should wear. Jeans and a nice shirt will always do.

Related Stories:
· Shutters on the Beach reviews [TripAdvisor]

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Ballroom Dancing is Hot

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 1910 Ocean Way [map], Santa Monica, CA, United States, 90405
May 16, 2006 at 11:30 AM | by juliana | 0 Comments

Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica just got a whole lot swankier.

The luxury beach hotel is now offering Ballroom Dancing by the Sea every third Sunday of the month, starting June 4. Best of all, it's free.

From 6pm to 10pm, dancers can twirl about the 1920's era ballroom and take in views of the ocean while a band plays on. Brush up on your dancing skills because you will be expected to know the waltz and the foxtrot.

As for staying at the hotel, the place weekend rates starting at $349. Request an ocean or Santa Monica pier view if you can.

Image via Kaitlilley/Flickr

Related Stories:
· Hotel Casa del Mar Announces Ballroom Dancing By the Sea [Hotels]
· Casa Del Mar reviews [TripAdvisor]