Housed in a pink-and-turquoise building with a facade that’s reminiscent of the 1950s, the Days Inn Santa Monica is a budget chain hotel that mainly attracts couples seeking a value deal. Animal statues are dotted around the exterior, like owls perched on balconies and elephants flanking the entrance to the lobby, lending a whimsical and humorous touch. Inside, the lobby is dated, but functional, with marbled black-and-cream tiled floors and a shiny black front desk. Black leather couches and chairs provide seating around glass tables that spill over into the lobby from the adjoining breakfast room, which is furnished with pink and gray cabinets that display the buffet. Overall, decor is dated and rather uninspiring, and the hotel could use a revamp, but it's a value deal for those who don't mind being a bit removed from the beach.

Days Inn Santa Monica Hotel is located on Santa Monica Boulevard, about a 10-minute drive to Santa Monica Beach and 15 minutes by car to Venice Beach. Surrounding the hotel is a random selection of stores and there are a few restaurants -- mostly fast food -- within walking distance. There’s a bus stop that’s a minutes' walk away, which gives access to the Santa Monica Pier in about 20 minutes. The Third Street Promenade, an outdoor mall with restaurants and stores, is under a 10-minute drive from here. Los Angeles International Airport is about a 20- to 30-minute drive, depending on traffic.

Rooms are homey and pleasant, though basic, with warm color schemes of browns, tans, and creams. White linens, wooden furniture, and nature or abstract paintings are common items of decor, as is wall-to-wall olive-colored carpet, which appears quite dated. Each room includes a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, coffee/tea makers, and a mini-fridge, and some rooms have a microwave and a terrace or a balcony furnished with a couple of chairs and a small table. Bathrooms are quite spacious and include large granite counter tops, shower/tub combos, and either gray- or white-tiled walls and floors. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided. Guests should note that there have been complaints concerning maintenance issues and dated aspects of the rooms.

The Day Inn's on-site features cover the basics -- breakfast, parking -- and a few extra perks, but not without some drawbacks. A free breakfast buffet with cereals, fruit, waffles, and yogurt is served at the Days Inn Santa Monica in the mornings, though it’s a limited breakfast that many note runs out quickly. There’s a fairly large rooftop sundeck with tables, chairs, and lounge chairs. Guests can also make use of a sauna as well as fitness machines, though these are not in a dedicated fitness room, but can be found in the hallways on each floor. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, though many complaints have been made concerning connectivity issues. Free parking is also available, a nice perk for Santa Monica where there is little free parking to be had.