Le Merigot Santa Monica

This property is part of Marriott's luxury brand, so it'd be reasonable to expect at least a few elements that are incredibly memorable. Unfortunately, the French theme -- Impressionist-style prints in the hallways, an on-site restaurant called Cezanne -- do little to distinguish the place. The lobby is pleasant, with soft music and self-serve coffee or fruit-infused water, but a generic style. It does lead out to a cheerful patio area, and then down to the outdoor swimming pool. This is also a pleasant place, but slightly bland with gray sun loungers and minimal landscaping apart from some greenery and a neat row of palm trees. Guests are a mix of families, couples, and business travelers attending conferences in the event facilities. Noise isn't an issue.

Santa Monica is a beach town filled with shops, restaurants, and a tourist-attracting pier with games, rides, and an iconic Ferris wheel. Le Merigot is closer to the beach than many hotels in Santa Monica. Guests can walk out a back door by the pool, cross an alley, and through a parking lot to the beach.

• Five- to 10-minute walk to the beach, Santa Monica Pier, or Venice Beach
• 40-minute drive to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, with high-end shopping and swanky mansions
• 40-minute drive to Universal Studios theme park
• 45-minute drive to Hollywood Boulevard and Grauman's Chinese Theatre
• 30- to 45-minute drive to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

The rooms at Le Merigot Santa Monica are clean and contemporary, but not overly exciting or memorable. They feature a a neutral color palette, soft carpet, and light-wood furniture. Armchairs and leather ottomans add a sophisticated accent, as does artwork and a fishscale pattern behind the beds (either a singular king bed or two queen-size beds). All rooms come standard with a flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, coffeemaker, for fee bottled water, and Wi-Fi. Some rooms upgrade to furnished balconies with ocean or city views. Bathrooms feature either glass showers or shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and Aromatherapy Associated toiletries.

Features are nice and varied here. The highlight is beach access from the outdoor swimming pool, which has sun loungers and umbrellas on the deck. For dining, buffet breakfast with a French twist is served at Cezanne (extra charge). Lunch and dinner are available indoors or outdoors at Le Troquet Patio Lounge and there's a full lobby bar. Room service is available 24 hours.

Le Merigot Spa offers a full menu of treatments, along with hydrotherapy facilities such as a eucalyptus sauna. The fitness center is open 24/7 and offers Cybex equipment and personal trainers. Le Boutique Gift Shop sells resort wear and gifts. Event space with natural light and a 24-hour business center are also on offer.

There's a daily Destination fee that covers Wi-Fi, bikes, boogie boards, lobby coffee, and beach umbrellas. Valet parking costs extra, as it does almost everywhere in Santa Monica.