JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot - Hotel Review

On Cloud Nine in Santa Monica

The lobby living room of JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot

Santa Monica: sun worship, picturesque sunsets, celebrity spotting, rollerblading, fine dining and shopping for slinky summer dresses ... This beach community knows how to enjoy la dolce vita and thousands of sun hungry tourists flock here every year to prove it. The nice thing about Santa Monica, is that it doesn't feel overrun by visitors (unless your kids drag you to the Pier). On the beaches, sun worshippers from France and Germany quietly enjoy the sun and surf and on Third Street Promenade life mingles locals and out-of-towners in one happy shopping spree. Great people watching, too.

For lodging in style there's JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot. Located across the street from the beach, this luxury waterfront property treats guests to "Cloud Nine Beds," Frette Linens, down duvets and feather pillows with plush, oversized upholstered chairs, couches and marble baths. Insist on a room with ocean view and large patio. The only drawback is that you cannot open the windows to let the salty breeze in. But then again, who spends their vacation in their suite? Not that you wouldn't want to. Accommodations are spacious and equipped with 25-inch television with in-room movies, mini bar, three telephones with two lines, high speed internet access, data ports for computer modems, voice mail service, terrycloth robes and slippers, and evening turn-down service.

Superior King guest room	Cézanne dining room

Le Merigot is proud of its spa with a vast menu of services such as the Plantomer Facial, Anti-Stress Aromatherapy Wrap, Body Bronzing, and Fitness Facial For Men. Spa Packages are a great deal. We especially love their Kneipp bath products and we are not alone (a recent Vogue article listed several super models' preferences for the old-school herbal bath goodies).

After a day at the beach, pool or spa, we recommend cruising to the nearby Marina del Rey for a stroll and dinner or a shopping excursion to Third Street Promenade. It's too bad so little in Southern California happens out of doors (unlike Europe), but on Third Street you can enjoy the balmy weather and people watching while schlepping your bags and sipping your iced cappuccino.

Le Merigot also has its own outstanding restaurant, Cézanne, serving French inspired California Cuisine; and there's Le Troquet Terrace Bar for cognacs, cigars, wines and hors d'oeuvres.

(Updated: 01/26/12 CT)