Is there anything more classically Southern Californian than an Ocean Avenue address? If clients are staying at Viceroy Hotels & Resorts’ iconic Viceroy Santa Monica, the answer is decidedly “no.”
The 169-room hotel delivers on the promise of its location, especially in its Los Angeles-infused public spaces, the result of a 2020 renovation that added super-local vibes to its pool deck, dining space, lobby and lounge area.
On a recent visit to the Viceroy, Cynthia Gonzales, the property’s area director or business and leisure travel, shared with me that the pre-renovation design evoked a dark, “mysterious” atmosphere — now, however, the goal is to bring the outdoors in. By cutting back the hedges that previously hid the hotel’s entrance and creating a more open-air design that blurs the lines between indoor and outside, the Viceroy now fully embraces its location, letting the Santa Monica sunshine and sea breeze play a vital role in its experience.
Here's a bit more of what guests can expect at the hotel.
Viceroy Santa Monica’s 2020 Renovation
In January of 2020, as the property neared its 20th anniversary, Viceroy Santa Monica — which opened in 2000 as Viceroy’s first hotel — announced a $21 million renovation plan. Making good use of pandemic downtime that year, the hotel embarked on the first phase of the project, completely revamping its public common areas.
Guests will feel a true sense of place from the moment they enter the airy lobby, anchored by a two-ton driftwood bench that immediately evokes the beachside setting. New wood-decked ceilings further the effect, designed to make guests feel as though they are walking beneath the nearby Santa Monica pier.
The renovated lobby is anchored by a two-ton driftwood bench to channel the hotel’s beachy location.
Credit: 2022 Viceroy Santa MonicaOther artful touches around the lobby and adjacent lounge area include contributions from local artists, such as “The Lost Warhols,” two playful, digitally augmented paintings that change as you watch them (created for Viceroy by photographer and mixed-media artist Karen Bystedt); a wall of antique cameras found at local flea markets; and a fun collage made entirely of colorful skateboard wheels.
The renovation also included the property’s outdoor patio and indoor-outdoor wraparound bar, both of which seamlessly connect to the lobby, the lounge and the Sugar Palm Ocean Avenue restaurant. As guests breeze out onto the patio, they’ll find plenty of seating around a contemporary firepit, spacious cabanas that can be booked for work or pleasure, and two pools for taking in the Southern California sun — all anchored by a colorful Evelyn Leigh mural.
Guestrooms and Suites
The Viceroy’s guestrooms have not yet been renovated, though there are plans to do so. And though their design doesn’t currently match the property’s new style, they certainly still have some standout features.
My Ocean View King room, for instance, featured stunning views of the Santa Monica coastline — I happily watched waves crashing on the beach through my floor-to-ceiling windows. All the property’s guestrooms offer a sliding-glass door that opens to a Juliet-style balcony (bordered by a railing, but not large enough to step out onto) to welcome in ocean breezes and immerse guests in their prime location.
Full marble bathrooms are also spacious and quite stunning, outfitted with bath products from Natura Bisse and Roil by Amanda George (I especially appreciated that they were dispensed from reusable containers, instead of single-use plastic bottles).
Suites feature ocean views and separate living and sleeping spaces.
Credit: 2022 Viceroy Santa MonicaFor added perks, book clients in one of the Viceroy’s suites: The Empire Suite option offers 640 square feet of space, divided into separate living and sleeping areas, while the Monarch Suite (a presidential penthouse) includes a marble entry, a spacious living room and a lavish bathroom complete with a whirlpool bath and a steam shower.
Sugar Palm Ocean Avenue, Viceroy Santa Monica’s Restaurant
On-site dining at Viceroy Santa Monica is provided by Sugar Palm Ocean Avenue, a concept that spans an open-air dining room, an outdoor dining terrace, a wraparound indoor/outdoor bar and poolside cabanas.
Sugar Palm serves daily brunch from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 3 to 10 p.m. The two menus vary but feature some overlapping dishes — at any time of day, a few of the worthwhile treats include the artisanal cheese board, served on a giant slab of wood that spans the table; beets and burrata, a vibrantly colored salad with roasted beets, citrus, pistachios and balsamic glaze; and smoked watermelon sashimi, a simultaneously sweet, salty, spicy surprise.
Additional Sunrise Brunch offerings range from various avocado toasts (topped with anything from lobster to mushrooms or smoked salmon) to duck confit chilaquiles, chicken and waffles, a vegan hash, a burger, various sandwiches, salads and plenty more.
A brunch spread at Sugar Palm
Credit: 2022 Kim Fox PhotographyThe Sunset Dinner menu is designed almost entirely for sharing, with a diverse range of both smaller and larger items. Diners can take their pick of raw bar options such as oysters and ceviche; plant-based dishes including grilled artichokes and falafel; and a range of other plates spanning everything from charred octopus to lobster bucatini, seafood paella, hanger steak and much more.
Advise clients to sample the cocktail menu, as well. My favorite libation was the Poblano, a mix of Casa Dragones tequila, Licor 43, lime, agave and Aztec bitters, garnished with a sliver of chili pepper. It’s a little taste of California sunshine — just like the hotel itself.
