Down By the Sea

After a long, colorful history and a $16 million renovation, The Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica remains a captivating retreat for celebrities and vacationers alike. Santa Monica's founder, John P. Jones, built the Miramar as his residence in 1889 and since then the purpose and the building have changed, but the Miramar continues to exist. Many prestigious guests have enjoyed the luxury of its rooms and its proximity to the beach. The list of names includes Greta Garbo, Susan Hayward, the Kennedys, Eleanor Roosevelt, Earl Warren, Charles Lindbergh, Anthony Quinn, Fleetwood Mac, Anjelica Houston, Debra Winger, Bill Clinton, Barbara Streisand, Denzel Washington, Mel Gibson and Sir Anthony Hopkins, to name just a handful. Betty Grable was signed by MGM talent scouts who saw her singing in the hotel bar, and Cary Grant and Doris Day appear in the pool in the movie "That Touch of Mink."

Part of the Fairmont Miramar's charm is its location. Where Interstate Highway 10 meets the Pacific Coast Highway, the hotel can be found atop scenic bluffs overlooking Santa Monica Beach. The hotel boasts its own "beach butler," who is trained to meet the needs of guests relaxing or playing on the beach or engaging in water activity. If the ocean and Santa Monica's shopping and dining scene aren't enough to keep you entertained, the hotel offers a health and fitness center, outdoor pool and whirlpool spa.

The Fairmont Miramar boasts 302 rooms with 32 bungalows, many with commanding views of the ocean. All rooms are soundproof and come with amenities such as a morning newspaper, CD players, three telephones with private voice mail, computer modem, goose-down duvets, and triple sheeting. Bungalow accommodations feature marble bathrooms, entertainment centers, some private balconies and terraces, hardwood floors, French windows, original artwork, and bi-level suites with a separate entertainment area, two bathrooms and a wet/dry sauna.

Though Santa Monica offers much in the way of fine dining, the hotel itself houses the Grille restaurant, serving California cuisine seven days a week. The wood-appointed restaurant features a bar topped with emerald pearl granite. The restaurant has a custom-made wine cellar and an outdoor patio and terrace. If you're looking for a smaller place to have drinks with friends, consider the Koi Pond Lounge, which overlooks the Koi fishpond and waterfall at the hotel. There you will find mixed cocktails, premium pours, imported and domestic beers and wines by the glass. Of course, the hotel also offers in-room dining.

There's no need to feel intimidated by the long list of famous names associated with the Fairmont Miramar. Embrace its unique charm and enjoy the miramar—Spanish for "view of the sea."

(Updated: 06/24/08 HC)