The teal-blue facade of the Georgian Hotel has been part of the Santa Monica skyline since 1931, when it opened its doors in the waning days of Prohibition (there's even a basement that once served as a speakeasy). Though the style is Art Deco/Romanesque Revival, there's something about sipping a gin and tonic on the veranda, underneath the striped canvas awning, that takes you back even further to the days when railroad magnates and mining kings ruled the Southland, and the sun still hadn't set on the British Empire.

Back in the '60s, the hotel began a 30-year stint as a plush retirement home; it reemerged in the new century as a boutique luxury hotel. A floor-by-floor remodel started in the early 2000s, the decor, enhanced with Art Deco/Art Nouveau touches, harmonizes with the architecture. The romantic setting draws couples as well as business travelers, and the location caters to tourists —two blocks away from the Third Street Promenade and right across the street from Palisades Park, overlooking Santa Monica Pier and Santa Monica's wide, sandy beaches.

Amenities

• Complimentary wireless Internet access
• 24-hour room service
• LCD flat-screen TV with cable, Nintendo and pay-per-view movies
• Clock radios with MP3 capability
• Mini-bar, in-room coffee and tea maker
• Bathrobes
• Evening turndown service
• Complimentary weekday newspaper
• 24-hour concierge services
• 24-hour business center
• 24-hour fitness room
• Same-day laundry/dry cleaning services
• Overnight shoe shine
• Dining area open for breakfast and lunch
• Evening bar service on the veranda
• Meeting facilities available
• Valet parking available (additional fees apply)
• Pets allows (fees apply)