Armed with a set of chopsticks, I found myself face-to-face with veteran sushi chef Masasuke Shimakawa, who had delicately placed a spread of Ora King salmon and tuna nigiri, coupled with a pair of albacore-scallion and toro (fatty tuna) rolls, onto my plate.
As I sipped a chilled glass of sake and marveled at the way in which Chef Shimakawa had so artfully prepared my meal, we chatted about his hometown — Hakodate, Japan — his family, and our surroundings at Soko, a new eight-seat sushi bar located just off the lobby of Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, Calif.
Soko, a sushi bar, is a new on-site restaurant option located just off the hotel's lobby.
Credit: 2022 Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
What began as a temporary pop-up in a liquor storeroom for The Bungalow (a trendy beachside bar and restaurant located adjacent to the hotel), Soko is now a permanent fixture at the Fairmont. I wasn’t in Japan, but my experience felt just as exclusive and intimate as if I had saddled up to a seat at Sukiyabashi Jiro, the 10-seat sushi bar in a Tokyo subway station that skyrocketed to international fame after it was featured in the 2011 documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi.”
In fact, exclusivity is the name of the game at Fairmont Miramar. The hotel has long served as a playground for visiting celebrities seeking a high-end, resort-like retreat in the heart of Santa Monica (famous guests include past U.S. presidents and Hollywood icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo and, more recently, Angelina Jolie).
The hotel is just across the street from the Pacific Ocean.
Credit: 2022 Fairmont Miramar Hotel & BungalowsReflecting on the Past 100 Years and Looking Toward the Future
Much of the hotel’s appeal can be attributed to its history. More than a century ago, the founders of Santa Monica — John P. Jones and his wife, Georgina — moved to this now-coveted stretch of real estate along California’s Pacific Coast, and in 1921, their private mansion was converted into the Miramar Hotel. Over the past 100 years, the hotel has grown from a small, six-story building to a 300-room resort spanning 5 acres with three distinct lodging options: the Palisades building, the Ocean Tower and the Bungalows.
Georgina’s legacy is still firmly rooted at the Fairmont (and not just because she planted the property’s famous fig tree — still standing at the hotel’s entrance — back in the 1880s). This summer, the hotel will give a nod to its female founder with a new public enclave just off the lobby. Called “Georgina’s,” the space will honor her talents as a botanist with nature-forward design. New offerings include afternoon tea service and appetizers, as well as cocktails and Champagne in the evening.
Fig Restaurant features alfresco dining.
Credit: 2022 Fairmont Miramar Hotel & BungalowsThis year will also see the introduction of a new tableside cocktail program, new fitness classes at the on-site Exhale Spa and new seasonal menu items at Fig Restaurant featuring ingredients from the Santa Monica Farmers Market.
Accommodations: Palisades Wing, Ocean Tower and the Bungalows
The six-story Palisades building is the most historic accommodation option of the bunch, built as a part of the original Miramar Hotel. Clients staying here will walk the same halls as several of the hotel’s most famous guests, and have the opportunity to choose between a variety of rooms and suites (ranging from the 400-square-foot Fairmont Room to the 800-square-foot Signature Palisades Suite with views of the Los Angeles skyline). Even the hallways in the Palisades wing are wider than the average modern-day hotel, harking back to a time when additional square footage didn’t break a developer’s budget.
Next to the Palisades building is Ocean Tower, a 1950s 180-room high-rise that resembles a traditional hotel and draws corporate clients and guests planning shorter visits. Another draw? Its stunning vistas of the Santa Monica coast.
And last, but certainly not least, are 31 one- and two-story Bungalows, the only private residence-style accommodations west of Beverly Hills. These accommodations lure travelers looking for a longer stay, and all 31 Bungalows are slightly different. I stayed in Bungalow 15, a single-story hideaway that features a king-size bed, a private patio with a garden and pool view, a flat-screen television and Le Labo bath products.
My room was perfect for one or two people, but the property’s four bi-level bungalows are well-suited for groups (the most expansive option features three bedrooms and 3 ¾ baths). Bungalows are scattered throughout the hotel’s grounds, and some even have their own private entrances, making them especially appealing to high-profile guests.
31 bungalows provide larger groups with plenty of space.
Credit: 2022 Fairmont Miramar Hotel & BungalowsIn fact, I felt like I had joined the A-List during my stay.
After finishing at Soko and bidding adieu to Chef Shimakawa, I crossed the lobby and continued my culinary exploration at Fig. Named for the hotel’s legendary tree, the alfresco bistro serves a selection of salads, seasonal pizzas, homemade pastas and seafood with a side of pool views. And, according to my server, it has the best happy hour in town.
While at Fig, I sipped on “The Miramar Centennial” (a vodka, lemon, hibiscus, rosemary and Champagne cocktail created to honor the hotel’s 100th anniversary) and allowed my senses to take in my surroundings: the smell of the ocean breeze, the soft and gentle sway of the palm trees, and the refreshing taste of my after-dinner cocktail.
Yes, I felt like a celebrity, indeed.
