Just steps from the beach and a short walk or bike ride from the iconic Santa Monica Pier, Hotel Casa del Mar is the ultimate coastal getaway on Los Angeles’ bustling Westside. From locals seeking a staycation to out-of-town visitors that want to experience the best that LA has to offer, the elegant oceanfront property offers guests a place to relax and retreat while being in the midst of all the excitement of Silicon Beach.

The hotel is within close proximity to some of the area’s best restaurants, shopping, the beach and pier, and other hotels including next-door neighbor and sister property Shutters on the Beach, which is inspired by the cottages of Cape Cod. Dating back to the 1920s, Hotel Casa del Mar is one of the last historic resorts to feature a listing on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

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Hotel Casa del Mar features a stunning facade and interior that is inspired by the grand villas of the Mediterranean, yet the property maintains the relaxed beachy vibe of Santa Monica. In addition to its exquisite guest rooms and suites—many of which offer stunning ocean views—the hotel also has several world-class dining options including Catch restaurant.

I had the pleasure of visiting Hotel Casa del Mar’s Sea Wellness Spa, a luxurious and intimate sanctuary that offers guests a place to relax and rejuvenate between their adventures. After pulling into the hotel’s valet at the entrance, I headed to the spa—eager for my wellness journey to begin.

Here’s what you’ll love about Hotel Casa del Mar and Sea Wellness Spa: 

• Located in the vibrant coastal city of Santa Monica, it’s steps away from the beach and a short distance from the Santa Monica Pier.

• The hotel’s architecture and interior design are inspired by the grand villas of the Mediterranean combined with the beachy and laidback vibes of Santa Monica.

• The elegant property offers guests a place to relax in the midst of the excitement of Silicon Beach including nearby restaurants, hotels and attractions.

• Hotel Casa del Mar is located directly next door to its sister property, Shutters on the Beach, a Cape Cod cottage-inspired hotel that also has world-class dining options and is home to ONE Spa.

• Sea Wellness Spa is a cozy sanctuary that offers hotel guests and non-guests an intimate and relaxing haven for self-care.

• The spa specializes in anti-aging, hydrating aesthetic treatments and tension-soothing massages such as Hydrafacials, microcurrent facials, Ocean Mineral manicures and pedicures, hot stone massages, and more.

• Before or after their spa services, guests can opt to dine at one of Hotel Casa del Mar’s top-tier dining establishments including Catch restaurant, Terraza, and the beachfront Patio del Mar.

• Various exclusive seaside experiences are available for overnight guests to enjoy including a private pool with ocean views, surf lessons, beachside picnics and workouts.

Sea Wellness Spa is tucked away in a private area of the hotel that allows for total peace and calmness. I walked past a set of open drapes into the warm and welcoming entrance to the spa, which is lit with lanterns on both sides to create a relaxing ambiance.

Next to the check-in desk are rows of shelves stocked with products from some of the best luxury skincare brands including OSEA Malibu, a line of skincare that draws inspiration from the ocean, sun, earth and atmosphere; and MBR Skincare, which is incorporated into some of the spa’s facial services and is a collection of innovative products that were developed by leading dermatologists, plastic surgeons and skincare experts using the most advanced science and the most potent and precious ingredients.

#BeautyBoss: Jenefer Palmer, Founder of OSEA

After checking in I was led to the women’s changing room, where I was given a private locker with a soft, comfortable robe and slippers. The spa featured various elements of coastal design throughout, from the soothing sea-inspired color palette and artwork on the walls to a starfish and seashell in my locker—it’s all about the details!

Once I had changed into my robe, I headed over to the spa’s relaxation lounge, which is located behind a set of wood sliding doors. In addition to softly lit lanterns designed to enhance the relaxing setting, there were several soft armchairs, fresh infused water, warm tea, mixed nuts to nibble on, and a coffee table book for leisurely reading.

My massage therapist came to the relaxation lounge to escort me to my private treatment room. As we walked down a long hallway that led to the individual treatment rooms, the tranquil sea-inspired decor and sea foam colored walls had an instant calming effect on me.

After I had undressed and slipped under the covers of the treatment bed, my therapist returned into the room to start the service. I received the 60-minute Swedish Massage, which incorporates lavender essential oils for a deeper relaxing effect. The massage can be customized to each guest’s specific needs, so my therapist focused on areas of tightness in my upper back and shoulders caused by sitting at a desk in the same position for hours hunched in front of my computer (ah, the life of a writer!)

She was firm yet gentle throughout the service, targeting my muscle tension with long kneading strokes and gentler, softer strokes around my joints and bonier parts of my body. She paid extra attention to knots and made sure to go over them multiple times in order to help loosen and soften the tight spots that were troubling me. The best part about it was that she was able to effectively get rid of my knots without going too hard or causing me any discomfort during the service.

Afterwards I felt much looser and more mobile, especially in my upper back area—mission accomplished! For those with more extensive knots and muscle pain, especially from working out or overuse, the Swedish Massage is also offered in a 90-minute version, and CBD Cream can be added onto your service for an additional $30 charge.

In addition to the Swedish Massage, Sea Wellness Spa also offers Deep Tissue and Hot Stone Massages, as well as a luxurious Couples Massage (perfect to enjoy with a spa buddy or loved one). Aside from tension-soothing massages, they also specialize in anti-aging, hydrating aesthetic treatments ranging from Hydrafacials and Oxygen Facials to a Microcurrent Facial, which improves skin tone, firmness and elasticity, and stimulates cell renewal.

If you’re looking to get your nails done, the spa offers an Ocean Mineral Manicure and Pedicure, as well as the Deep Sea—your choice of a manicure or pedicure (or both) that includes a mineral-rich foot soak, seaweed scrub and organic cuticle care. View the entire spa menu here.

After my spa service, I was given a tour of the hotel’s private pool terrace and swimming pool that offers incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Pier. Note: the pool is only open to overnight hotel guests, which is one of many good reasons to book an overnight stay there.

Hotel Casa del Mar’s luxurious accommodations include Palm Terrace Rooms, which are located around the pool terrace and include private al fresco patios with partial ocean views. They’re especially great if you want to spend a lot of time at the pool or bring your pet on vacation and want some outdoor space for them (the hotel is pet-friendly, they just charge a one-time $125 pet fee per stay).

For those looking to enjoy a bite after their spa visit, Hotel Casa del Mar’s most recent F&B addition is Patio del Mar, a cute and casual beachfront bistro that is right next to the boardwalk. Open Thursday to Monday from noon to 5 p.m., it’s a great spot for enjoying a late brunch, summer lunch, dinner or sunset drinks while people watching!

I came back on another visit to enjoy lunch at Patio del Mar with my husband and we enjoyed dining al fresco while trying an assortment of their offerings. Some of our favorites included the Heirloom Tomato Burrata Salad, Wagyu Burger, Shrimp Ceviche Baja Style with veggie chips, and the Maine Lobster Roll on a Brioche bun with lemon aioli. They also serve a variety of bubbly drinks, white and red wine, rosé, bottled beer and cocktails so guests are spoiled for choice.

Biking at the beach is also one of my favorite activities, especially on a beautiful summer day, and another great thing about Hotel Casa del Mar and Shutters on the Beach is that you can rent a beach cruiser from their bike stand and pay by the hour—and you don’t have to be an overnight guest.

Upon request they provide maps, directions and water, and a variety of bike options are available for men, women and kids, in addition to child-safe tow pods and cycle arms. Rental rates for beach cruisers begin at $10 for one hour, $17 for two hours, and $25 for the day.

This past summer my husband and I met up with another couple for a double biking date. We rented bikes from the hotel and enjoyed a nice multi-mile biking adventure along the coastline before having brunch at Shutters’ Coast Beach Cafe and Bar, which is directly across from the bike rental stand. Another great place to enjoy brunch is at Hotel Casa del Mar’s Terraza, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Another special offering from Hotel Casa del Mar is their Beachside Bliss Picnic package, which includes a variety of food such as a charcuterie board with cheese, mini lobster rolls and other bites served on the sand. I had the opportunity to experience the Beachside Bliss Picnic during a Media Beach Day with Hotel Casa del Mar and Shutters on the Beach, and it was the most picturesque picnic experience I could have ever imagined with fringe umbrellas, stylish pillows and cute table settings—made for Instagram!

Whether you’re looking for a special way to celebrate a birthday/special occasion, enjoy a fun gathering with friends/family during vacation, or are planning a proposal, the Beachside Bliss picnic will help you make memories that will last for the years to come.

During the Media Beach Day, we were also given a tour of one of Hotel Casa del Mar’s finest accommodations, the Pacific View Suite. The 1,800-square-foot suite feels more like a home with two bedrooms, two-and-a-half Italian marble bathrooms with luxurious tubs, living and dining room with fireplaces, and incredible views of the Pacific Ocean, coastline and the Pier.

Whether you’re looking for more spacious accommodations to stay in with family during vacation, are planning a bachelorette/girls’ weekend, hosting a smaller private event, or you simply want to take your experience to the next level, the Pacific Suite has everything you need to enjoy a relaxing stay at the beach.

I feel very fortunate to live within driving distance of Hotel Casa del Mar, and I enjoy visiting whenever I can. Even if I’m not spending the night, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the property and its offerings including dinner at Catch, a beachfront bike ride followed by lunch at Patio del Mar, and of course, a relaxing spa day at Sea Wellness Spa. For more information and to book your next spa experience, click here.

Cost: Swedish Massage ($210/60 min; $240/60 min with CBD cream; $310/90 min; $340/90 min with CBD)

Insider Tip: Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to give yourself enough time to check in at the spa and relax in the lounge before your treatment. The hotel offers valet parking and limited street meter parking is available.

Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Wednesday-Sunday)

Address: 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Phone: 310-581-5533

For more information and to book a service, visit the website. Follow on Instagram: @hotelcasadelmar

[Photos by Kamala Kirk]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk