DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Santa Monica, Santa Monica

After reading the many reviews of this hotel on this and another travel site, wasn't sure what to make of it. While this hotel was not one of the best I've stayed at, it certainly was better than I expected from some of the reviews. Visited for two nights with extended family. Check-in was fairly easy, but we did have to "request" those famous cookies, which was odd. No big deal though. We had requested two rooms together, and since my grandmother is a Hilton gold member (VIP or whatever they call it for the highest Hilton Rewards group) I expected they'd accomodate her reservation request. The rooms were on the same floor, but on opposite ends of the hotel. Disappointing. We visited on a weekend and the front desk staff was very young - not polished and did not even say anything to me as I approached the desk to check in. The two girls seemed very aloof, as though I was wasting their time! Never a thank you heard from them the entire weekend. The room(s) were very different. One room was large and spacious, with a view of the ocean just beyond the parking garage across the street. (This hotel is not on the beach, but rather BLOCKS from the beach - FYI). This room had a large sitting area with two Q beds in the bedroom. Very large bathroom. A lot of light in the suite and it was truly a great room, with lots of space for the kids. The furniture was in very good condition. The second room was strange. Terrible room layout. The room was not on a corner, but it was positioned as though it was. The sitting room was triangular and it was very, very tight when you had more than two people sitting together. The bathroom was smaller and overall this suite was very dark, as it only had one window to the outside (the other window in the sitting area opened to the interior corridor). This room was so bad that I almost felt guilty for staying in the "better" room! Had one dinner and two breakfasts in the hotel restaurant. Breakfast was very, very good both days. Upgraded continental buffet, which I was told includes one hot dish a day (one day they had "Huevos Rancheros" while I was there). Kids did upgrade to full, hot breakfast which they enjoyed, esp. the bacon. Fresh fruit display was great, with fresh pineapple and berries. Breakfast staff for both dinner and breakfast were First-Class. They were so professional and accomodating (unlike the front desk staff) that I filled out a comments card at each meal! Valet was very polite, even when I didn't have any cash to tip him! Brought the bags to both rooms and was quite friendly. Lobby was quite beautiful. An atrium that went to the top floor and two glass elevators. Swam in the pool one morning. Not heated and a little cool, but enjoyable. Pool area was clean and well-stocked with towels. Gym was clean and the equipment was in good shape. Never paid for parking, as the exit gate was up the entire weekend and we were told by the valet "not to worry about it". This hotel exceeded my expectations, with the exception of the front desk staff. Might try looking at other hotels closer to the beach if we're on "vacation" (we were here this time for a family event in Brentwood/L.A.) and looking for a resort, but otherwise a nice stay.

My husband & I booked this room the night before our trip. We booked a kingbed room, but found ourselves upgraded to a kingbed suite which was nice (I'd recommend booking that since it's only $10 more and a ton more room). I also requested it far from the elevator which it was, so it was very quiet. Very clean, nice folks working there, and garage parking (though it does cost $18 which is the only negative thing). We'll probably stay there again if anything because we can use "hilton honors points" and stay free - though we paid this time and it was worth every every penny. This was our first trip to Santa Monica and it's such a great town! I would not recommend this hotel if you don't have a car. It's quite a walk to the Promenade (great food/shopping). I think it's walking distance to the pier/beach, but we drove since were having so much fun in our convertable rental-car (highly recommend getting a convertable when in southern california!) BTW - eat breakfast at BARNEY BEAN in the Promenade --- amazing menu! Now that I've been to Santa Monica and read all these hotel reviews online, I'd also consider staying at the Shangra-la. We saw that hotel and it's in an excellent location, across from the beach and close to the promenade plus even has free parking. But I can't complain about the double tree. It was nice.

The staff was very courteous and the rooms were quite nice. The beds are very comfortable and I thought the hotel was very quiet. Cookies with check-in are a very nice touch! I would definitely stay here again.

Great location. Easy access to / from the Santa Monica Freeway. Beautifully designed suite hotel with 10-story atrium, glass-walled elevators, eccentrically shaped rooms. Our 8th-floor room faced the ocean and the pier; both are within easy walking distance, as is Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade. A bit pricy but worth it.

The service @ the doubletree was fantastic each and every day we were there. The hotel was located perfectly and made for a wonderful vacation in southern cali. Highly reccomended!