I love trips to LA… especially during winter in the northeast. What’s not to love about sunshine and shorts in February?
As a Hyatt loyalist (I guess I mean as a Hyatt Globalist!), though, there’s been nothing by the beach. So, I’ve taken to staying a bit inland at The Shay in Culver City.
I’ve longed for something in Santa Monica (although I’m not going to lie – it’s not the oasis it was 10 years ago, sadly), but I was really hoping for a well located luxury Hyatt property.
Instead, we’re getting a re-flag of the Le Meridien Delfina (which I sort of covered in my LA Suite run a few years ago. It will be a Hyatt Centric. It’s expected to reopen as the Hyatt Centric in September.
They plan to upgrade the property and align with Hyatt Centric standards which basically means much nicer than a Hyatt Place or Hyatt House – but definitely not full service / luxury.
And the main downside to the property is one that can’t be fixed – the location.
For those unfamiliar with Santa Monica, it’s split into two parts. Most tourists want to be by the famous Santa Monica Pier and the 3rd Street Promenade. When you head south, you hit the I-10 freeway and then wind up in the more residential Main Street area (although still with lots of stores, etc – I like both sides).
But this hotel is not only several blocks from the beach (not “right there” like many tourists want) but it’s also in a bit of no-man’s land. It’s not in downtown Santa Monica by the promenade and it’s not in the Main Street area.
It’s just kind of – nowhere.
I marked up a Google Map so you understand.
Anyway, it’s nice to have the option, but I’ll be sticking to The Shay which, incidentally, is adjacent to the train that goes right to…. downtown Santa Monica.
Thoughts?
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