Nestled along the buzzy Ocean Boulevard in L.A.’s Santa Monica neighborhood, it’s impossible to miss the newly refreshed turquoise facade of The Georgian Hotel. The 90-year-old property recently reopened under BLVD Hospitality with a completely new Havana-meets-Art-Deco design. There are 84 rooms, two restaurants, a library, an art gallery, a lobby bar, and a hospitality experience, unlike anything in the city.
The Georgian first opened in 1933 under female hotelier Rosamond Borde, and it soon became the place where the who’s who of Hollywood, like Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and Charlie Chaplin, congregated over martinis and jazz. After many lives—like a three-star hotel, short-term apartments, and a senior living community—BLVD Hospitality founder and CEO Jon Blanchard and co-founder and president Nicolo Rusconi breathed new life into the building. They enlisted design firm Fettle to create the colorful interiors inspired by the building and L.A.’s Art Deco history.
The hotel is infused with color and character, and Fettle’s goal was to restore the existing elements—like the lion medallions, ornate ceiling moldings, exterior relief motifs, and arched doorways—back to their original glory while reviving the spirit of the building. Custom furnishings, bright wall colors, extravagant flower arrangements, and burnished brass fixtures drive home a modern Art Deco feel. There are also many partners the hotel has incorporated into the stay experience, like R+Co bathroom amenities; Victrola record players with a curated selection of records from Ubiquity; Polaroid cameras; a curated selection of books from ARCANA; and so much more.
There’s a distinct sense of playfulness, from the baby-blue suits the bellmen wear to the rotary phone in the lobby pre-loaded with voice messages of a bygone era, and vintage-looking buttons in the suite’s bar areas that say “Champagne” and “Dessert.” A press of the button summons a cart of champagne or desserts to your door.
The Georgian will also open a basement jazz bar, called The Georgian, early this summer. The red-walled room was once a jazz bar and restaurant called The Red Griffin that Golden Age Hollywood stars would frequent. As if you’re stepping back in time, it has a 1918 Steinway piano, art that depicts L.A. throughout the 1900s, and even an original menu from The Red Griffin framed above a booth. It will be open just for guests and will have an elevated wine and spirits list. Next year, the hotel will also open a pool.
Top Takeaways
Location: Santa Monica, California
Rating: Five-star
The Vibe: A playful and upscale modern Art Deco-style boutique hotel with hands-on service and unexpected detail.
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The service is so phenomenal and anticipatory here. We also love how detailed the hotel gets with the experience. There is a fresh custom scent from candles and diffusers throughout the hotel—but not too overpowering. Each room also has the candles (to purchase) with a custom matchbox. There are also record players in the suites, including a curated selection of records. Put on a record and pour a glass of rosé as you watch the sunset.
Food + Drink: There is the Sunset Terrace and the Dining Room, as well as the Sunset Bar in the lobby. The kitchen has breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is helmed by Chef David Almany. The dinner menu features coastal Italian cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. Meanwhile, bar director Jerom Morris has created a cocktail menu of delicious 1930s-inspired cocktails. The Georgian Room will open this summer for hotel guests.
Amenities: There’s an in-hotel gallery, Gallery 33, where the hotel will host local and international artists. Before the hotel’s opening, actress Sharon Stone debuted her first show, “Shedding, a Prelude,” in the space. There’s also a library with a curated selection of books; The Writer’s Room, a private meeting and event space; and a gym. The hotel is also constructing a pool, which will open at a later date.
What’s Nearby?: The hotel is situated directly in front of the beach and the Santa Monica Pier. There are many restaurants and shops on the nearby Third Street Promenade. Santa Monica can get a bit touristy, but there’s plenty within walking distance to enjoy. We recommend a long walk (or a 10-minute drive) to the Brentwood Country Mart, brimming with boutiques and outdoor dining in an open-air setting.
Rooms: 84
Pricing: From $695
Closest Airport: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
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