The Bayside Hotel is a two-story 1950s motel-style property, with a fresh, beachy feel. The small reception area has a plain white color scheme with soft gray accents, plus cute aquatic touches like ceramic fish covering the back wall (this maritime motif reappears in the guest rooms as well). Many guests take advantage of the hotel’s sunny courtyard and gather there to read or have a drink, but there aren't many places to hang out on the whole. Overall, the property has a quiet, quaint, and relaxed vibe. It offers a decent value for its location and will suit guests looking to sleep just steps from the beach, without all the glitz and glam of Santa Monica’s Ocean Avenue.

The hotel has a central Santa Monica address that makes it easy to get around town on foot. The beach is a three-minute walk from the hotel, and it’s around 10 minutes on foot to the ferris wheel, the aquarium, and other attractions at the famous Santa Monica Pier. Main Street is just one block behind the hotel -- it's Santa Monica’s hotspot for cafes, restaurants, and shops. The area also hosts a Farmers’ Market every Sunday where there are stalls of local produce for sale, from fruits and vegetables to artwork and crafts. There are some pretty parks within a few minutes' walk as well, including Dorothy Green Park, Tongva Park, and Crescent Bay Park. Los Angeles International Airport is 20-minute drive from the hotel depending on traffic.

The 45 guest rooms at the Bayside Hotel have a fresh, bright look with a charmingly restrained amount of seaside decor. Guests can expect white bedding, furniture, and walls, with walnut wood laminate flooring. A colorful beach scene hangs on a steel gray accent wall behind the bed, which acts as the focal point of the room, and a few rooms have additional vibrant modern art scattered throughout. Some guests will wake up to ocean views -- rooms are available in Ocean View, Courtyard View, Garden View, and Economy categories. Every room has free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, a minibar, coffeemaker, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, iPod dock, safe, ironing board and iron, and a hairdryer. Each room also has a beach bag and beach towels, and rooms with full kitchens are also available. Bathrooms are bright as well, with white vintage floor tiling and walk-in showers or shower/tub combos. We spotted a bit of grime in some tub basins and on showerheads. 

As the Bayside Hotel is essentially a classic SoCal motel, there's not much on offer in the way of features. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, although some guests have commented that the signal is spotty in the guest rooms and stronger in the reception area. There’s a peaceful palm-filled courtyard and a small garden area with comfortable lounge chairs; tables and chairs front the property as well. Bikes can be rented from the hotel, and reception sells drinks and beach accessories, like balls and boogie boards. Guests can use the computer station, and parking is available on-site, though it's subject to hefty fees.