Palihouse Santa Monica

We just left Palihouse where we used the top floor (both penthouses) over the week as a place for our daughter’s temporary residence whilst the wedding unfolded at a different venue. As her parents it was so lovely to walk across the Mexican tiled floors to knock on her door — being on the same floor in different penthouse units was amazing. Imagine units with a shared roof garden. Penthouse 1 is larger and had the space needed for hair and makeup. Don’t chose this hotel unless you can appreciate the way they have kept the old beauty of LA in tact. Yes, the stair carpeting has taken its beatings and the lighting might be a bit moody for most but we loved it. You will feel like you’re living in the 1800s. You took the train with your family and walked to this beach lodge where you will have your own kitchen and two blocks to the sand. A roaring fire and velvet couches are waiting for you inside the front door. Now if only they’d paint the walls white those dark beams and tile floor would sing and be a bit lighter. If you can get a king studio you’ll have a kitchen. Brides should all rent both penthouses to keep parents with their daughters during this special time! We used the carendolet house for the wedding and shore hotel as an extra choice for those guests wanting to be right at the beach.

Oh boy, this place is a... DUMP! Having stayed at their newer property in WeHo (and loved it!), I was excited to stay at the Santa Monica hotel. Um, that was short lived. In short, its dark, it's old, its filthy, there are ZERO services - that includes any food and drink after 1pm (even the cookies were gone, cleared away, by 8pm - and the staff are nonchalant to say the least. It's pretty amazing to charge around $400 a night, and to return after a long day to find that my room was not made up. I called front desk to ask why, and, surprise surprise, buried in the check-in materials is the detail that you have to request housekeeping. Don't be fooled that this is a hotel and its a given. NOTHING is a given in this place. Palihouse Santa Monica is a gloried hostel, if indeed novelty wallpaper and a bit of taxidermy elevates it so... the bathrooms are also rank. Old and rank. If you like sticky shower curtains, this place will be your jam. Pro-tip: don't bother. Stay at the Hampton Inn up the street. What it lacks in wallpaper and taxidermy, it'll make-up for in actual hotel offerings.

What a dump! I don’t get the good reviews this place is a dump. Truly a dump. Old building is beautiful used to be apartments but they didn’t change a thing. Carpets are horrendous old smelly haven’t been changed since the 1950’s. Windows (single pane of course) don’t close or open. Sink drain was plugged. Room carpet same horrible condition as hallway. Bathtub peeling. Other than a wallpaper on one of the bedroom walls and some paint this place hasn’t seen any updates for 70 years. If you showed me this place and I didn’t know it was Palihouse I would think it was a homeless shelter. No joke, that bad. We’ve stayed at Palihouse Santa Barbara and in Carmel. How this is possible to be part of the same brand is beyond. Shameful to be peddling such a property as boutique accommodation. Truly disgusting I can’t wait to leave!

Sorry but not a 4 star hotel. No services and a bathroom in a very Bad shape and so small .. although no housekeeping everyday unless you ask for it but no body told us …. Really a shame for the price…. But a Nice building and a Nice location… won’t come back…

Amazing hotel! This is my third stay at the Palihouse Santa Monica. The service is wonderful especially, Gavin and I highly recommend a visit for anyone who loves a beautifully appointed hotel by the sea.