So my husband and I decided to treat ourselves to a May weekend in Santa Monica because honestly, after a long winter we desperately needed some California sunshine and ocean vibes.
After tons of searching, I found The Pierside Hotel on Instagram and it looked like the perfect mix of boho style with modern touches, plus that location – literally a 5-minute walk to Santa Monica Pier!
After three nights there, I’ve got the completely honest scoop for you – the good and the not-so-good, because you know I don’t sugarcoat things.
Spoiler alert: this place has some serious charm, but it’s definitely not for everyone!
Location: Total Winner
Close to Santa Monica Pier and Main Attractions
If you’re looking for a Santa Monica hotel with an amazing location, The Pierside absolutely nails it! You’re literally a 5-minute walk to Santa Monica Pier with that iconic Ferris wheel.
But that’s not all – there are tons of shops, restaurants, and cafes right around the hotel. You can walk out the front door and immediately dive into that whole California lifestyle.
Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place, the beach – everything’s within walking distance.
Foodie Gold Mine Nearby
And if you’re a foodie like me, you absolutely have to check out Colapasta Restaurant – it’s a Michelin Guide spot just 15 minutes on foot from the hotel! They have incredible pasta, ravioli, and amazing wine.
But heads up – expect lines. We learned to show up about 30 minutes before they open to have a shot at a table without the crazy wait.
Early Morning Walks Without the Crowds
We basically walked around the area every evening – one day we hit up the pier, another day we strolled along the beach all the way to Venice. But the real highlight was our morning walks to the Pier!
We’d get up early, around 7am, and walk to the pier when there weren’t tons of tourists yet. It was magical – practically empty pier, calm ocean, fresh air, and basically just us. I got all those Instagram shots without crowds in the background!
Everything at Your Fingertips
We could totally forget about Ubers or rental cars – everything was walkable.
The only downside is that with such a central location, it can get pretty busy, but honestly, that’s just part of Santa Monica’s charm.
Design & Atmosphere: Boho Meets Modern Perfection
When we walked into the hotel, I immediately knew this was going to be a hit! The design is such a thoughtful blend of boho style with modern accents.
They didn’t go overboard with either direction – it’s not too hippie-ish but also not sterile and modern.
Lobby and Common Areas
The lobby with the fireplace was amazing! In the evenings when we’d come back from beach time, you could sit by the fireplace with a book or laptop.
Everything’s beautifully designed with warm colors and natural materials – you just feel so comfortable there.
But the pool really blew me away! It’s heated (which was super important in May), and there’s this gorgeous mural on the wall that looks incredible in photos.
The vibe around the pool in the evenings was so chill, perfect after a full day of exploring.
Our Room: Comfort and Thoughtful Details
We had a superior room with a couch, which turned out to be perfect.
After being on our feet all day, we could spread out in the evenings – me on the couch with a book, my husband on the bed with his laptop.
Room Amenities
I have to give them props here – the room was really well–equipped! Mini fridge (lifesaver for snacks and drinks), coffee maker (heaven for coffee lovers like me), robes (such a luxury!), safe, and most importantly – tons of outlets!
You know how it is with phones, cameras, chargers – here there was no problem finding a place to plug stuff in.
Bed and Sleep
The bed was firm, exactly how my husband and I like it. I know not everyone’s into that, but it was perfect for us.
The blackout curtains worked really well -morning sun wasn’t an issue, but we still got up early for those morning pier walks anyway.
Window View
From our window we could see palm trees and the street.
Not gonna lie – it wasn’t an ocean view, but honestly, in downtown Santa Monica that kind of view is hard to come by, and the street noise didn’t bother our sleep. Maybe because we were so tired after full days at the beach!
Amenities: Some Surprises, Some Disappointments
Pool and Relaxation Area
That heated pool with the mural was such a nice surprise. In May when evenings can get chilly, we could take a dip without freezing. The pool area is beautifully designed with comfortable lounge chairs.
Beach Gear Rental
This was really awesome! You can rent a surfboard for free for 2 hours. We totally took advantage and it was great!
Plus beach chairs, bags, blankets, umbrellas, beach balls – everything’s available. It’s so thoughtful because you don’t have to buy or hunt around for rentals.
They also have board games, which was a nice surprise for evenings when we didn’t feel like going anywhere.
E-bikes – Great Start, Painful Finish
The first hour of e-bike rental is free, which sounds amazing! We rode along the boardwalk in May and it was beautiful.
BUT – and this is a big but – every additional hour costs $30! That was honestly shocking. They should communicate that more clearly.
Staff: Genuine Friendliness
Every single person we interacted with at the hotel was genuinely nice and helpful. And I’m not talking about that fake hotel politeness – this was authentic warmth.
The front desk helped with planning, pool staff was sweet, everywhere you could feel that they actually cared about the guests.
That really makes a difference, especially when you’re paying serious money.
Restaurant: Pricey but Tasty
There’s a restaurant downstairs where you can grab breakfast or drinks. Prices are high – let’s be real, this is Santa Monica – but it’s worth it.
Must-Try Dishes
You absolutely have to try the fish tacos and chilaquiles! The fish tacos were seriously delicious – fresh fish, perfect seasoning. The chilaquiles were my favorite brunch – authentic, filling, amazing.
Evening Atmosphere
We caught a night with live music, which was such a nice touch. We sat at the bar, listened to music, sipped cocktails – perfect way to end a beach day.
Pet-Friendly: Bonus for Dog Owners
The hotel is dog–friendly, which is huge if you’re traveling with your furry friend. I saw several couples with dogs and everything looked very natural and comfortable.
Practical Stuff: A Few Surprises
Housekeeping Every Other Day
This might be surprising – rooms are only cleaned every other day. It wasn’t a big deal for us (you can swap out robes at the front desk), but good to know ahead of time.
No Breakfast Included
Breakfast isn’t included in the room rate. You have to order from the menu and pay extra. That’s kind of disappointing, especially at these prices.
Resort Fee and Other Hidden Costs
Here’s where it gets painful – there’s a $45 daily resort fee. That’s a lot, especially when you’re not totally sure what you’re paying for.
Parking costs about $70 (we didn’t use it, but that’s sticker shock). Good thing you can walk everywhere because those costs really add up.
What Was Missing: A Few Minus Points
No Ocean View Rooms
This might disappoint people expecting classic “ocean view” vibes. The hotel doesn’t have rooms with direct ocean views, which could be expected at this location.
E-bikes After the First Hour
Like I mentioned, $30 for each additional hour is really steep. You can enjoy that first free hour and that’s about it.
Resort Fee vs Actual Amenities
$45 daily resort fee when you’re missing some standard amenities (like daily housekeeping or included breakfast) can be frustrating.
Cost Analysis: Is It Worth It?
Total for 3 nights with taxes and resort fee came to $1,237.63. That’s a lot – over $400 per night average.
For Santa Monica, that’s not outrageous pricing, but expectations are high at that price point. The hotel met most of them, but a few things could be better thought out.
Who Is The Pierside Hotel For?
Definitely recommend for:
- Couples looking for a stylish place in downtown Santa Monica
- People who appreciate thoughtful design details
- Beach activity lovers (that gear rental!)
- Dog travelers
- People who don’t mind higher costs
Skip it if you’re:
- Looking for ocean view rooms
- Budget-conscious (costs add up fast)
- Expecting breakfast included
- Wanting daily housekeeping
- Families needing more space
Would I Go Back?
That’s a tough question! On one hand, the location was perfect, staff was great, room was comfortable and well–designed.
On the other hand, at these prices I’d expect a bit more – especially included breakfast and daily housekeeping.
I think if I had a bigger budget and this specific location was important to me, then yes. But I’d also consider other options in the area.
Final Verdict
The Pierside Hotel is a solid choice for people looking for a stylish place in downtown Santa Monica. It has its strengths – amazing location, thoughtful design, nice staff, and practical amenities.
But it also has downsides – high costs, missing some standard amenities, and those surprise extra fees.
My rating: 7.5/10
Points for location, design, and staff. Points off for high costs, resort fee, and a few service gaps.
Summary: Pros and Cons
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Pros:
- Perfect location – 5-minute walk to Santa Monica Pier
- Early morning pier walks without tourist crowds
- Amazing design mixing boho with modern touches
- Really well–equipped rooms (mini fridge, coffee maker, robes, tons of outlets)
- Comfortable firm bed and effective blackout curtains
- Heated pool with beautiful mural
- Free 2-hour surfboard rental
- Great selection of beach gear and board games
- Friendly and helpful staff
- Good restaurant with delicious fish tacos and chilaquiles
- Live music nights
- Dog–friendly hotel
- First hour of e–bikes free
Cons:
- No ocean view rooms
- High resort fee – $45 daily
- Very expensive parking – around $70
- E–bikes after first hour cost $30/hour
- Room cleaning only every other day
- No breakfast included in room rate
- High restaurant prices
- Sometimes busy area due to central location
- Total cost over $400 per night with fees
It’s a good hotel, but not perfect. For this money you can have higher expectations, but if this specific location and style matter to you, you’ll probably be happy.
What do you think? Does this sound like your kind of place, or are you looking for something different in Santa Monica? If you have questions about the hotel or area, just ask!
And as always – if you love honest reviews without the fluff, check out more on my blog. I always write like I’m giving advice to my best friend!
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