The Grande Dame Fairmont Miramar Hotel review: a taste of 1920s glamour
Beloved by classic Hollywood stars, this historic Santa Monica resort retains its Golden Age chic

Fourteen years after co-founding the Californian city of Santa Monica in 1875, US Senator John Percival Jones built himself a Victorian-style mansion, Miramar (Spanish for ‘seaview’), as his family residence.
In 1921, the building became the Miramar Hotel, beloved by some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Greta Garbo (she liked it so much she moved in for four years), Jean Harlow and Betty Grable (who used to perform in the lounge), and later by presidents John F Kennedy and Bill Clinton.
Although the original wing of the hotel was demolished in 1939, the real joy is that the historic bungalows remain, scattered throughout the bougainvillea-scented gardens. Despite having been renovated many times over the years, the bungalows’ original design perseveres, as does a 1920s feel.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Today, after driving through the iron gates and up the sweeping driveway, guests are met by the gleaming Ocean Tower, standing 10 floors tall; an army of staff, and a vast fig tree. This 24m Moreton Bay Fig tree, planted in the 1880s, is a Santa Monica landmark, being the second largest of its kind in California and possibly the US.
It has a nice story, too: it’s said that an Aussie sailor didn’t have enough money to pay his tab in a nearby bar, so he settled it with a fig sapling, which the bartender then gave to the wife of Senator Jones.
The hotel’s fabulous bistro is named after the tree. Here, you’ll find a strong emphasis on sustainability and local ingredients, with an ever-changing seasonal menu, impressive wine list and the best American breakfasts.
There’s also an outdoor heated pool surrounded by palms, tropical flowers and ponds; a decadent spa, and a blow- dry bar.
And don’t miss The Bungalow, a sprawling, retro-style, surf-themed bar set in the grounds. A night here feels like a house party – if your house serves potent mezcal concoctions and has an outdoor bar and fire pit. One reason the Miramar has always been special is because of its location: one of California’s best beaches is only a pedestrian crossing away.
Since the hotel has bikes for guests, one of the best trips is to cycle down the boardwalk, taking in Santa Monica Pier, Muscle Beach and Venice Skatepark. With its high-end, slightly-retro resort vibe, you could almost be in a David Hockney pool painting. This hotel is just what a stay in LA should be: an endless summer where the Old-Fashioneds are always flowing and the ocean is steps away.
A Palisades King room starts from $540 per night. British Airways Holidays offers a seven-day fly-drive to Los Angeles,from £399 per person including return flights from Heathrow and car hire with Avis. Visit ba.com/avis*
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - March 30, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - strawberry fields forever, secret files, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 hilariously sparse cartoons about further DOGE cuts
Cartoons Artists take on free audits, report cards, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Following the Tea Horse Road in China
The Week Recommends This network of roads and trails served as vital trading routes
By The Week UK Published
-
Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh: a family-friendly haven in Egypt
The Week Recommends From face painting to snorkelling, there are plenty of activities to keep kids entertained at this luxury resort
By Fergus Scholes Published
-
Rome: historic haunts – and one new hotel – to explore
The Blend From the Garden of Ninfa to the Hendrik Christian Andersen Museum, here are some top places to visit in and around Italy's Eternal City
By Flora Vesterberg Published
-
Chiva-Som Hua Hin: Thailand's wellness pioneer is second to none
The Blend Resort celebrates 30 years as the least 'institutionalised' institution in the wellness world
By Bill Prince Published
-
The Nare Hotel: a charming hideaway on the Cornish coast
The Week Recommends Upgrade your classic seaside holiday at this five-star country house hotel
By Theo Tait Published
-
The Suffolk: a cosy restaurant-with-rooms by the sea
The Week Recommends Stay at an Aldeburgh bolthole that feels like an old friend's house
By Xandie Nutting Published
-
The UK's most romantic retreats
The Week Recommends From Scottish castles to cosy windmills, these scenic hotels are perfect for a last-minute getaway
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Hotel-hopping in Shanghai
The Week Recommends From Michelin-starred restaurants to tranquil spas, these are the swankiest spots in the city
By Crystal Bennes Published
-
Eden Roc Cap Cana: a picture-perfect paradise
The Week Recommends Live it up in the lap of Caribbean luxury at this Dominican Republic resort
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published