HOTEL REPORT: BEACH HOUSE HOTEL, HERMOSA BEACH CALIFORNIA

In each installment of Hotel Report, I profile a hotel that I’ve personally stayed at and love — and provide the need-to-know info, insider tips and photos that’ll help you have a perfect stay. Enjoy!

WHY I STAYED

The other weekend, on a Friday morning, I decided it was time for mini escape from Los Angeles. And whenever I think of a super easy escape from LA, an escape that involves almost no planning and little drive time, I think of Hermosa Beach (and neighboring Manhattan Beach).

I’ve been to Hermosa Beach countless times (it’s one of my favorite places to bring friends from out of town and just hang out with local friends) but I’d never spent the night. So when the idea came to spend Friday night, and wake up refreshed and ready to spend Saturday at the beach, I immediately thought of the Beach House — a hotel located right on the beach, and one I’ve cruised by on a beach cruiser plenty of times.

So, I got a room, texted my girlfriend about our new weekend plans (she, after a long week at work, was very happy) and we made it to the Beach House just in time for sunset. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know to have an awesome stay at the Beach House too.

WHY YOU SHOULD STAY

Planning a trip to SoCal or a California road trip with your significant other? Book two nights at the Beach House and use it as base camp to live the Southern California lifestyle for a weekend.

-OR-

Live in LA? The Beach House makes a perfect (and incredibly easy) surprise staycation. Send your girlfriend or boyfriend a text in the morning and tell them to pack an overnight bag, you’ll be leaving for Hermosa Beach in an hour. One night will do the trick, but two nights never hurt.

HOTEL DETAILS

The Hotel: Beach House

Location: Hermosa Beach, California. 45 minutes south of Los Angeles and 25 minutes south of LAX (see map below).

The Basics: Located in the heart of downtown Hermosa Beach, just two blocks from the Hermosa Beach Pier and tons of lively bars and restaurants, the Beach House provides spacious, well-appointed accommodations with front row seats to classic SoCal scenes.

The hotel has 96 rooms, 27 of which are Ocean Front rooms perched directly above The Strand (a paved path the runs for miles along the beach). In addition to the walkers and bikers on The Strand below, Ocean Front rooms feature views of the beach (with seemingly around the clock games of beach volleyball)l, the Hermosa Beach Pier, and the Pacific Ocean (with Catalina Island visible on clear days).

Every room category has exactly the same layout, and all have a gas fireplace and kitchenette — the only thing that differs between rooms, and accounts for the difference in their prices, is the view. If your budget allows, splurging on an Ocean Front room is well worth it. But no matter what room you stay in, you’ll be just a few steps from the beach.

Insider Tips: Have a bucket of beers (from local brewery, The Strand Brewing Co.) sent up to your room — you’ll want to enjoy a few on your balcony. Speaking of your balcony, spend a lazy morning in bed, then order a room service breakfast. There’s a small table on the balcony, but if you need more room, don’t be afraid to scoot the coffee table from the living room outside — this is your home for the weekend, after all.

The Best Room: 318. And it’s not just because it’s the room I stayed in. 318 is an Ocean Front, corner room on the top floor with incredible views of the beach, ocean and pier. Its position on the building’s northwest corner also provides it with a view directly up The Strand to Manhattan Beach. 318′s balcony is also set back a few feet from the other Ocean Front room balconies (which are all in line with one and other), making it more private than the rest.

Price: Generally, rooms range in price from $299 to $399 per night (depending on type of room and day of the week)

HOW TO SPEND YOUR TIME

First and foremost, make sure to spend some time in your room and on your balcony — both are really enjoyable. But chances are, after seeing what awaits you outside, won’t be able to stay inside for long. Beyond the beach and getting in on a game of volleyball, you need to rent a bike — it’s an unspoken rule of visiting Hermosa Beach. For that, head to Hermosa Cyclery which is located directly behind to the hotel.

Bikes rented, hop on The Strand. Four blocks south and one block inland, grab a burrito from Brothers Burritos — then head north. Just over a mile and a half up the coast, along the smooth path with the ocean on your left and a mix of mini mansions on old beach houses on your right, you’ll reach Manhattan Beach and the Manhattan Beach Pier. Lock up your bike and head into town for an ice cream sandwich from Manhattan Beach Creamery or gillato from Bonaventura Gelato Lounge.

Bike returned, check out local brew pub, Abigail — or for an endless selection of bars and bar food, any of the establishments on the pier promenade will do the trick. At night, once your showered and sand free, grab an Uber and head back to Manhattan Beach and dine at Love & Salt or Little Sister. This is the beach so there’s no need to dress up too much, but if you want to keep it real casual and stay close to home (i.e. the Beach House), check out Greenbelt near the Hermosa Beach Pier.

MY PHOTOS

THE HOTEL’S PHOTOS

MAP

BOOK A ROOM HERE

I was a guest of the Beach House hotel. All opinions are my own. I never recommend a hotel here that I wouldn’t personally recommend to my closest friends.

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Trevor Morrow

Trevor is a traveler, writer and video maker on a mission to help you craft the best travel experiences possible. From adventurous trips with friends, to romantic trips with someone special, to splurge-worthy trips of a lifetime, he's got you covered.