Santa Monica’s Sexy Shangri-La

Built 1939, Santa Monica’s Hotel Shangri-La offers a unique elegant streamlined art deco design that resembles a luxury ocean liner, especially when you stand outside in the renovated multi-level courtyard deck.

This property is known to locals as the hottest outdoor rooftop bar in Santa Monica. ONYX is a modern ’70s theme space-age lounge, decorated in sexy black, white, purple and gold colors. During sunset, this area is filled with people enjoying views of Malibu to Palos Verdes. In the evening, the changing colors on the giant ferris wheel at the nearby Santa Monica pier are an exciting backdrop. A private glass-enclosed lounge area is available for parties on a first come basis. The atmosphere is even more lively on Friday and Saturday evenings, as a DJ spins music and guests dance outdoors. 

Up at the top across from ONYX is the 2,300-square-foot indoor and outdoor Penthouse Suite event space. The large roof deck has LED columns that light up in different colors at night, two bathrooms and a bar. This is another perfect sunset view destination for up to 100 guests for parties, weddings and corporate celebrations. 

The L shape design enables all of the 70 guest rooms to have Pacific Ocean views. The interiors are decorated in black and white with a pop of color. Hotel guests receive a flute of bubbly at registration before getting their room key. Each room has L’Occitane bath products and Frette bathrobes and slippers, a mini-bar, flat-screen TV with satellite channels. 24-hour room service, iPhone bedside docking station, high-speed internet, and complimentary WiFi. The windows open to allow the ocean air inside.

On the ground floor is the handsome club-like dining room with leather barrel chairs and window louvers shaped like boat propellers. This restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. At the classic bar is a portrait of the owner who purchased Hotel Shangri-La in 1983, and on the ceiling is a colorful mural of his family and friends. On Wednesdays, this area is popular with guests during the hosted wine and cheese meet- and-greet from 5 to 7 p.m. 

Other amenities include a ping pong table and corn hole in the center courtyard. Twinkle lights hang above comfortable seating areas and a fire pit. Black and white lounge chairs adorned with a bright pink Shangri-La plush towel frame the solar powered heated pool and whirlpool. Cabanas with black and white striped curtains offer a more intimate pool experience. Each one comfortably seats up to six guests and can be rented for $100 a day, plus $500 for food and beverage.

Day pool passes are available for purchase from the hotel for the public to enjoy a full day of relaxation on the hotel deck. Pass holders can spend the day swimming for $25, with a $25 food and beverage minimum. Savory and sweet bites by the sea include Filet Mignon Tacos, Fresh Oysters, Pork Belly Flatbread and the hotel’s signature Tamietini featuring Ketel One Vodka, Passionfruit Juice, Le Courtâge Brut and Fresh Basil.  It’s an ideal spot for lunch by the pool.

Reservations can be booked online at Shangrila-Hotel.com.