Hilton has just added its first LXR property in the United States. For those visiting the Los Angeles area, this is a nice complement to Hilton’s existing luxury property, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. There’s also the Conrad in downtown Los Angeles opening in 2022.
In this post:
Oceana Santa Monica (Hilton LXR)
Hilton has announced that Oceana Santa Monica will be the latest hotel to join LXR Hotels & Resorts, which is Hilton’s independent luxury brand. The property is joining the Hilton portfolio effective immediately.
Oceana Santa Monica used to be independent. The hotel recently underwent a $25 million renovation and is now probably the best points hotel in Santa Monica.
The 70-room hotel is located on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, so it’s just across the street from the beach. The hotel has a few dining options, which interestingly are only available to hotel guests:
- Sandpiper is the hotel’s main restaurant, and it’s “reminiscent of a private beach home with a picturesque seaside backdrop”
- The Veranda is the all-day outdoor dining restaurant
- Sunset Terrace is the rooftop lounge, and it will even feature a Nobu pop-up
Here are some pictures of the property, which looks great, in my opinion:
Oceana Santa Monica exterior
Oceana Santa Monica lobby
Oceana Santa Monica pool
Oceana Santa Monica pool
Oceana Santa Monica restaurant
Oceana Santa Monica terrace bar
Oceana Santa Monica gym
Oceana Santa Monica guest room
Oceana Santa Monica suite
Redeeming points at Oceana Santa Monica
You can redeem Hilton Honors points and free weekend night certificates at Oceana Santa Monica. A standard room at the hotel seems to start at 95,000 Honors points per night, and you can get a fifth night free when redeeming points.
The hotel does have a $45 per night resort fee, which applies when paying cash, but not when redeeming points. As a point of comparison, paid rates seem to start at $500+. So this is a decent use of points, but the value isn’t necessarily that outsized (since it’s not like rates are typically $1,000+ per night).
The standard room here is a king studio suite, which is roughly 500 square feet. That’s huge for a standard room.
Hilton LXR locations
Oceana Beach House is Hilton’s sixth LXR property (and the first in the United States), as the group otherwise has the following properties:
- Habtoor Palace (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
- OCEANA (Santa Monica, United States)
- Susona (Bodrum, Turkey)
- The Biltmore, Mayfair (London, United Kingdom)
- Zemi Beach House (Anguilla)
- Mango House Seychelles (Mahe, Seychelles)
Zemi Beach House, LXR property in Anguilla
Why luxury Hilton additions excite me
I’m always thrilled to see Hilton add more luxury properties, especially independent ones like this. Historically one of Hilton’s biggest challenges has been that its luxury footprint was limited, though this is an area in which the program has been improving greatly.
There are so many great implications for this with Hilton Honors:
- Hilton Honors members will be able to earn and redeem points for stays here, and also redeem free night certificates
- Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members can take advantage of elite benefits, ranging from room upgrades, to free breakfast; status is easy to earn with Hilton credit cards
- I love Hilton Honors because of how easy it is to earn top tier status with the Hilton Aspire Card
In other words, I appreciate the valuable status that can be earned without actually being “loyal,” especially when I can use those benefits at luxury properties.
Hilton’s luxury footprint continues to grow, including properties like the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, Zemi Beach House, the Conrad Abu Dhabi, and more.
The Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos
Bottom line
Oceana Santa Monica is the newest Hilton LXR property, and also the first LXR property in the United States. The hotel looks beautiful and is probably the best points hotel in Santa Monica.
Personally, I’m not a huge Santa Monica fan. If I want a beach vacation I’ll go to a place where there are actual beachfront hotels (meaning you don’t have to cross a street). And personally, I don’t love the vibe of Santa Monica all that much either. If I’m going to redeem 95,000 Honors points in LA I’d much rather book the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, which is one of the best city hotels in the US.
Is anyone excited to see Oceana Santa Monica join Hilton Honors?
I just got back from a trip to Santa Monica - had three rooms for three nights here. Absolutely loved it! Incredibly well-done renovation. I definitely recommend this hotel
@DavidF, didn't know that was Stan Laurel's house. Cool trivia.
Have a stay booked there later this year, looking forward to it.
This was quite literally Stan Laurel’s house! As in, Laurel and Hardy.
He moved there in the 1950’s and eventually died there.
One of the best things about Santa Monica is its history. A quarter of a mile north, right on the beach, is the pool which was part of Marion Davies’ legendary beach mansion, the greatest beach house the world has ever seen.
Oceana is a gem, but the Stan Laurel connection makes it an historic monument!
We love Santa Monica and have stayed MANY times at Shutters and some few at Casa.
Coming from Europe and en route to Asia,it is a GREAT place for a few fun ,relaxing days.
If we want the glitzy club,we pop up to LAX for the nigth.
The proximity to LAX /Tom Bradley is also good.
We just long for being able to travel again
"Oceana Beach House is Hilton’s seventh LXR property (and the first in the United States), as the group otherwise has the following properties:"
And then you list six properties, including Oceana Santa Monica :)
I used to live right next door to the Oceana and it is indeed a great place. The "dining for hotel guests only" is a Santa Monica policy and not a hotel one. The hotel is in a neighborhood zoned as residential so one of the stipulations to keep traffic at minimum is that they can't accept outside guests at their dining facilities.
It's still walking distance from all the shops and restaurants in the promenade area so a great option for anyone visiting SM.
I'm sorry, I stand corrected when it comes to resort fees on award stays. I've updated the post to reflect that.
Curious on the resort fee if using all points bookings. My understanding is this is waived for points stays. Does this property get a reprieve from the usual standard?
While the property does look nice, Santa Monica is a hard pass.
Looks nice, great location but a bit out of price. BTW, when staying full in points there is no 45$ resort fees.
Totally agree about Santa Monica vibe. Not the best beach. I much prefer Florida beaches where the water is warm and clear. But happy to see Hilton focus on luxury properties. Ill give it a try!
Santa Monica is a great area. This hotel is on ocean Avenue . Yes a bluff does separate this property from being beachfront but the beach is still easily accessible. It’s just off the PCH. The only actual beachfront properties in Santa Monica you can actually step out onto the sand are Shutters on the Beach and their sister property Casa Del Mar. Great acquisition for Hilton if they got a good price.
Wow, it looks lovely!
Ben sayz, "Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members can take advantage of elite benefits, ranging from room upgrades, to free breakfast ..."
So, basically, you get the same benefits as you'd normally get at a regular Hilton property?