Fairmont Miramar Hotel - Santa Monica, California - Beachfront Hotel Mixes Privacy, Luxury and Tradition

Nestled amid tropical gardens atop the scenic bluffs of Santa Monica Beach, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows aims to offer guests just the right mix of "privacy, luxury and pampering.'' With a history stretching back more than a hundred years, it has been awarded the AAA Four Diamond Award and voted as "One of the Top 100 U.S. Hotels'' in Conde Nast Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards.

Built between 1920 and 1946, the hotel's bi-level bungalows were uniquely designed to match Southern California's relaxed beachside lifestyle. Surrounded by the beautiful Miramar Gardens, they each have a king bedroom on the lower level and a living room with a sofa bed upstairs.

Guestrooms and suites are located in either the original Palisades Wing or the contemporary ten-story Ocean Tower. The former rooms feature early-American-style dycor with dark woods and rich-colored fabrics, while the latter have lighter, more modern styling, plus private balconies offering views of the Santa Monica Pier or Malibu.

Deluxe Rooms and Deluxe Ocean View Rooms measure 250 square feet and are decorated in an elegant California beach style. With one king or two double beds, the Fairmont Rooms cover up to 425 square feet, while the Tower Suites are 485 square feet and the Palisades Suites range from 445 to 890 square feet. All units feature Frette linens, overstuffed comforters, marble baths, bathrobes, and slippers. Among other standard amenities are 42" LCD flat-screen televisions, high-speed Internet access, and a refreshment center.

The Zagat-rated FIG Restaurant inside the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows is a seasonal bistro headed up by Chef Ray Garcia. He uses fresh local produce and organically grown ingredients from the Santa Monica Farmer's Market in preparing his flavorful dishes. The restaurant features a charcuterie and a cheese bar, a communal table, and private dining area that seats up to ten guests. Dining hours are from 5pm to 10pm every Tuesday through Saturday.

Food is also served in the Lobby Lounge between 7am and midnight. It is the ideal place to relax by the koi pond while enjoying morning coffee, lunch, dinner or cocktails.

Exhale Santa Monica is the hotel's on-site mind and body spa. Its menu includes a full range of spa therapies, relaxation services and fitness programs, offered in five private treatment rooms. Open Monday through Sunday from 8:30am to 7:30pm, Exhale features acupuncture, nutrition coaching, cleanses, and fertility counseling in addition to massages, nail care, facials and grooming.

Other facilities available on the premises include a 40x50-foot heated pool, a private sun deck with lounge chairs, steam rooms, a dry sauna, fitness center with a dozen workout stations and the very latest equipment. The gym area is open 24 hours a day, while the pool closes at 8pm nightly.

As a meeting venue, the Fairmont Miramar offers more than 25,000 square feet of function space. It can accommodate groups of 12 to 900 persons. From all-day seminars to multiday conferences or sumptuous banquet, the hotel can provide all of the necessary equipment, catering and business support services required through the exclusive planning capabilities of its partner, Global Events & Meetings Solutions.

The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows is located at 101 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90401. From Los Angeles International Airport, take the I-405 San Diego Freeway North to the I-10 Santa Monica Freeway West. After exiting at Fourth Street, turn right (north) on Fourth and then make a left (west) onto Wilshire Boulevard. The hotel is on the right side of the street just past Second Street.

Parking is available for guests, restaurant patrons, and special events in the hotel's large outdoor parking lot. The cost ranges from $33 per night for valet service to $5.50 per hour for short-term users.