Belamar Hotel

By Hidden Vacations User from Texas • Mixed Emotions

Overall Rating: 6   Location [6] • Room [10] • Service [4] • Value [2]

We had a two night stay this past weekend. Upon arrival, I was shocked to find an $18 overnight valet fee (you are not able to park your own car) that my husband was not prewarned about as he made the reservations. There was no reference to this on the travel site as well. The decor was retro chic...cool, but a little unnerving with the collection of '50's/'60's Barbie Doll head prints lining the hallways on ALL FLOORS. Could we not do a different theme on each floor or mix a little? The lounge techno music in the hallways was cool as we arrived in the evening, but lost it's flair as we left for an early breakfast the next morning. The bed linens were great - layered, soft and "squishy", but our bottled water was not complimentary. Hey, what's up with having to request an iron, ironing board and no coffee maker in the rooms? Even Motel 6 provides these complimentary!!!! One of the young, hip patrons of the Vibe Lounge's skirt didn't even cover her derriere fully! The idea they were going for in the concept was a good idea, but it really gets kinda lost in the translation. Would I stay there again? If they'd lose the mandatory valet parking...yeah sure!!!!
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By Hidden Vacations User from Los Angeles • The Coolest Hotel in Town

Overall Rating: 10   Location [8] • Room [8] • Service [10] • Value [8]

The Belamar Hotel is a gem of a hotel, located in Manhattan Beach...a little beach town in the South Bay area of Los Angeles.

This hotel was closed for two years while the owners conducted a very thorough $9 million renovation (according to the local newspapers). It reopened in March of 2005.

Although, like most new hotels, this property had a few service issues in its first two months, it is now the greatest little boutique hotel in Los Angeles. As cool as the Standard, the Viceroy and the Mondrian, this hotel is more refined and elegant than any of these. Also it is located in a great little beach town suburb of Los Angeles.

If you visit, ask for a balcony room, which overlooks the courtyard. They are a little more expensive, but well worth it. This place has some cool, quirky traits...like offering free classic movies in its garden courtyards in the Summer (Wednesday nights at sunset). Also, the hotel has a live music venue on site which offers live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The very accommodating staff of this hotel offers complimentary shuttles all over town. Ask them to take you to The Spectrum Club (an amazing health club nearby where guests of The Belamar get in for half price) for a great workout. You can also expect free Internet access, nightly turndown service with complimentary water and bath slippers, incredible robes and bed linens...the list goes on and on.

A couple warnings, though...they charge for overnight valet parking, NO vending and ice machines down the hall (everything is delivered to your room), No irons in the rooms (try the complimentary overnight shoeshine, though), and no coffee makers in the rooms (also delivered to your door).

Try this hotel on your next visit to LA. It's just a few miles from LAX (no traffic hassles) but it feels like you are a million miles away!
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By • great for business travel

Overall Rating: 10   Location [10] • Room [10] • Service [10] • Value [8]

Newly renovated and opened, so its clean and the service is great. Best of all its a $15 cab ride from LAX, but in a really qiet area


Still, being only 2 miles from downtown Manhatten Beach, this is a great weekend venue as well.

Restaurant is pricey and I'm not sure I like the techno music piped in throughout the halls so early in the am.
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By Hidden Vacations User from New York • Watch this hotel!

Overall Rating: 10   Location [8] • Room [10] • Service [10] • Value [10]

	This hotel combines location, service, and vibe expertly,
	I wish it were closer to the beach, but hey, there are cabs.

This was one of my best experiences in the South Bay, and I travel here for business a lot. The hotel is lovely -- from hip, beautiful art on the lobby walls to luxurious treatments on the beds in the rooms. The staff were impeccable. There is no reason that this hotel should not be in the top three for LA in the next year. It's an enclave with HUGE potential.
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By Michelle from Albuquerque • My dream place

Overall Rating: 10   Location [6] • Room [8] • Service [8] • Value [8]

	old world charm
	unusual location

This is my all time favorite surprise hotel. We accidentally found this hotel a few years back and it is magical. It really is like stepping into a different place and time. Old world charm, with a quiet, cozy feel to it. The indoor pool is like a green house -- so very peaceful, one could spend hours there. The beds were comfortable with cozy feather bed covers -- also could spend several hours in bed with a good book, etc. Complimentary ride to the beach down the road. This place says romance from beginning to end. The interesting part is that it is a bit out of place with it surroundings. But somehow this adds to its charm because one doesn't expect to find such a nice place in this modern, city area.
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