What used to be the site of a Travelodge and Pacific Sands Hotel, is now the LEED GOLD certified oceanfront Shore Hotel. Located just blocks from the historic Santa Monica pleasure pier and west of downtown Los Angeles, over 50% of the construction waste materials, including metals, concrete, stucco, terrazzo, wood & carpet were recycled or salvaged from the two hotels to build this luxury eco-friendly boutique hotel.

Opening in 2011, the hotel offers an open-air, U-shaped design allowing guests rooms to receive natural light, as well as taking full advantage of the Pacific Ocean views. The Shore Hotel is one of the only sustainable hotels in California to implement a “demand response unit” which reduces the use of energy in the main areas of the hotel during peak hours in the summer.

Each floor displays a colorful plaque featuring the Shore Hotel’s sustainable features. The elevator has a pulley system designed to lift one up, while the other travels down. This saves up to 75% more energy than conventional elevators. The beautiful drought-resistant plants save 20% more water than other greenery.  More than 75% of the hotel’s roof surface is covered in solar-reflecting panels. These naturally heat a large center courtyard swimming pool warmed to the temperature of 86 degrees. The solar panels also warm the bubbling whirlpool.

Sustainable amenities include a recycled rubber floor fitness center, with a refillable water fountain that calculates the number of plastic water bottles saved by using your own reusable water bottle.

Guest rooms are decorated in bright orange and a pretty aqua blue colors. The see-through glass enclosed rain shower has a low flow shower head. Complimentary body and hair care products are by the local company Lather. The hotel has partnered with Clean the World foundation to recycle soap and other partially-used yet salvageable bath products. They are paraben free with packaging made with EcoPure, an organic additive that causes plastics to biodegrade in a landfill disposal environment.

Beds have a pillow top mattress, hypoallergenic pillows and duvet covers. Opening the closet are two plush white bathrobes and slippers upon request.

The eco-friendly lighting and room climate controls reduces energy costs by 35%-45% by turning down when the sliding door to the balcony or patio opens. Two outdoor chairs and a table overlook the center courtyard pool and Pacific Ocean beyond. Guests can place a wooden surfboard door hanger outside their door to alert housekeeping to participate in the Green Clean Program, to not change sheets and towels.

Each room offers a fully stocked private mini bar, and organic and fair trade tea and Wolfgang Puck coffee in biodegradable packaging. Empty coffee and tea capsules are sent back to Nespresso to be recycled, giving the pods a second life.

The Shore Hotel is pet-friendly and offers secured garden rooms with enlarged patios and a communal garden with pathways for socializing with other pet loving guests.

The onsite restaurant prepares food with organic local produce and free trade foods whenever possible, including free-range poultry, eggs, and meat, wild-caught salmon, organic coffee, and organic locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Guests staying during the month of June can enjoy a ‘Stand Up For Sustainability” package that includes an Oceanview room for two, a gift pack of reef-safe sunscreen from Raw Elements, and surf lessons for two from Santa Monica-based AquaSurf.

Gerry Peck, Shore Hotel General Manager helped design this package to raise travelers’ awareness about the fragility of our surrounding eco-systems, and engage them to take action. “We encourage guests to make the switch to reef-safe sunscreen,” said Peck. The hotel’s goal is to gather 1,000 petition signatures encouraging the California legislature to introduce a bill banning reef-harming sunscreens in the state, similar to the legislation that has been passed in Hawaii, Key West, Florida, and other jurisdictions around the world.

Make a reservation at Shore Hotel 1515 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310)458-1515.