Review: The Georgian

Why book?

Steps from the beach, this striking Art Deco building turns up the whimsy and feels not entirely out of place in a Wes Anderson film

The backstory

When it first opened in 1933, The Georgian was the place luminaries like Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and Charlie Chaplin came to see and be seen. During Prohibition, it was also home to a speakeasy that attracted folks like Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel. In the decades that followed, the hotel changed ownership often, fell into disrepair, and was even a retirement home for a brief period. Finally in 2020, it was purchased by BLVD Hospitality (the folks behind Ace Hotel Broadway, Hoxton Hotel DTLA, and Soho Warehouse) who took two years to bring it back to its former glory.

Set the scene

Since reopening in January 2023, The Georgian has quickly reclaimed its place as Santa Monica’s First Lady, a nickname it acquired in the ‘30s when it debuted as one of the first skyscrapers on Ocean Boulevard. You can feel the energy and spirit of the place the minute you step inside the lobby, with its arched ceilings, bespoke Art Deco-inspired furniture, and vibrant color scheme that feels very Cuba. Black-and-white archival photos and art by actor Sharon Stone hang on the walls; guests and locals alike sip cocktails at the bar; friends dine in the terrace, soaking in the glow of the California light. Not just a place to sleep, The Georgian goes out of its way to create spaces and experiences, like a well-stocked library meant to entice guests to sit and stay a while.

The rooms

The hotel’s flair for the theatrical continues in its 56 rooms and 28 suites, many of which look over the Pacific Ocean. Beyond the doors, which still feature the original Art Deco peepholes, are light filled and spacious rooms furnished with curvy bedframes upholstered in punchy orange velvet, Bellino-dressed beds, plush rugs, Georgian-inspired wallpapers in geometric patterns, and marble bathrooms. Suites feature curated art, books, and even vinyl to spin on the Victrola record player.

Food and drink

With the help of Santa Monica Conservancy to reference vintage photos of the interior, the new owners have created a sultry but convivial bar and dining room, The Georgian Room, featuring new floors, wood paneling, and booths laid out in the original L-shape of what was once a hangout for Old Hollywood. Expect intriguing cocktails (try the Bye Bye Birdie, a whiskey sour made with whole duck egg, pistachio, and bitters), and classic Italian dishes like Rigatoni alla Vodka from chef David Almany (a Nancy Silverton alumna). There’s also the Restaurant, which stretches from the Sunset Bar and Dining Room inside to the Sunset Terrace, where you can sit under the hotel’s fanciful playful awnings on curvy yellow banquettes that face the ocean, and dine on SoCal-meets-Med fare, such as Baja Ceviche, Calamari Fritti, and Blackened Salmon.

The neighborhood/area

Santa Monica is having a moment, and not just because The Georgian has reopened its doors. Sure, the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade are a short walk away. But more interestingly, SM is drawing creatives not just from nearby enclaves but from as far away as Echo Park and DTLA. They’re coming to eat and drink at adventures new restaurants on Main Street; to check out the Frieze Art Fair that has relocated from Beverly Hills to the Santa Monica Airport; and to shop at some of the edgy boutiques that have cropped up. Watch out, Venice!

The service

The service is immaculate and delivered with a touch of whimsy. Guests are welcomed with a glass of champagne or wine upon arrival. And, for a bit of fun, they’re invited to pick up the rotary phone next to the check in area to listen to a curated selection of vintage voice mails (imagine if Marilyn could have left a VM!) that allude to the property’s colorful history. Meanwhile, suite guests can press the champagne button (no, really, an antique looking button marked “champagne”!) to summon a fully stocked bar cart brought in by a bellhop dressed in his best Grand Budapest Hotel getup — in this case, a baby blue uniform.

For families

Let’s be honest, this hotel is much too cool for couples to spoil it for the rest of us with their screaming tots. However, kids are welcomed and, indeed, a few double rooms and suites are big enough to accommodate children.

Anything left to mention?

There are beach cruiser bikes available to borrow and Peloton bikes in the gym. The hotel staff can set you up with comfy sand chairs, fringed umbrellas, and hefty towels to enjoy the beach. Looking to make a real splash? They can also arrange a custom picnic or lounge area for up to 40 of your BFFs. If you really want to splurge, book a day aboard a 65’ Riva yacht featuring three bedrooms and three bathrooms. It comes stocked with bubbly, of course, a captain and crew to take care of all the details while you set out to explore Malibu or perhaps Catalina Island for the day.