Fairmont Hotel Santa Monica, Los Angeles (Hotel Review and Video)

I was at this hotel for 5 nights, over the weekend before a business meeting held at the hotel and then for 3 nights for the meeting.

I would rate this as a very good hotel to stay at for business, but glad to have been there on a trip as we had been considering it for a short vacation hotel when we visit Santa Monica later in the year. I would not recommend it as a vacation hotel.

The hotel is roomy, on very nice lush grounds and is very well maintained. The rooms are a good size with very big comfortable beds and small but good bathrooms. There is a good sized desk to work at. The hotel is quiet - and even though I was on the 2nd floor facing the road heard no street noise.

The restaurant is not that good and the food is pretty dull hotel fare with slow and not very efficient waiters (who struggle to remember your order ... I was tempted to buy them a pad and pen so they could write the orders down).

They have a good sized and well equipped gym that is open 24 hours for guests. (handy for jet lagged travellers!).

The meeting rooms are pretty good and in the gardens, and the food etc fine. One tip on the internet access - if you join their Fairmont Frequent Guest club you can get free internet acess at the next stay at any Fairmont... but ask when you check in if you can join and get the access free on this stay... they did!