- Hermosa Beach is a hidden gem in Los Angeles, located in the city’s South Bay, with far fewer crowds than other coastal areas such as Santa Monica or Venice Beach.
- Hotels in the South Bay are limited, with most found along a major road that’s not walking distance to the beach. Few hotels are actually beachfront or offer four-star accommodations, save for Beach House Hotel Hermosa Beach.
- Beach House studio suites vary in price only by view. All rooms come with separate living and sleeping areas, kitchenette, and balconies. Prices start at $259 and include breakfast, beach chairs and amenities, and an unbeatable location. I spent a night in an Ocean View room and wouldn’t hesitate to skip Venice to stay here instead.
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Los Angeles is known for its sprawling footprint, where traveling even a few short miles can mean sitting in gridlock traffic.
As such, many visitors won’t leave the Hollywood bubble. But it would be a shame to miss the sand and waves that beckon from the West Side. And while most flock to Santa Monica or Venice, Hermosa Beach is L.A.’s hidden gem.
The laid-back South Bay beach town is less saturated, filled with in-the-know locals and tourists who come to stroll the “Strand” waterfront path, hit up low-key beach bars, and mingle with the professional surfers and volleyball players who live and play in Hermosa. It’s the more relaxed sibling to posh Manhattan Beach next door, with cooler goings-on than family-friendly Redondo Beach on the other side.
After you've hit the Sunset Strip and toured Tinseltown, to best understand why people love L.A., extend your trip to Hermosa. There are plenty of chain motels along the main highway, but very few properties claim a beachfront address or four-star accommodations.
Beach House Hotel at Hermosa Beach is the rare standout, with an oceanfront location directly on the Strand, and well-appointed suite rooms with balconies.
I recently stayed in an Ocean View Suite, which was comped for review, but typically starts at $349 per night. All rooms at the hotel look exactly the same, differentiated in price only by view. The entry-level Standard View Suite and Partial View Suite start at $259 and $279 respectively, offering the opportunity to save a few dollars if you don't mind sacrificing a full ocean view (I didn't). And while rates climb higher in peak seasons, they're still lower than counterparts in Santa Monica or Venice, which easily can start at $500 for similar lodging.
As a former L.A. resident, I never hesitate to recommend Hermosa Beach to those who want a beach break away from traffic and crowds. And with a location facing the sand, it's hard to beat Beach House.
- The first impression
- The room
- On-site amenities
- What's nearby
- What others say
- What you need to know
- The bottom line
- Book Beach House Hotel Hermosa Beach starting at $259 per night
- Keep reading to see why I was so impressed by Beach House Hotel Hermosa Beach.
I arrived at night, so my first impression missed the true star, which is the hotel's beachfront address. Instead, I was welcomed into a small lobby filled with neutral beige and white wood and stone with pops of soft blue, lit by a warm fireplace. As the name implies, it felt as if I had walked into a Hamptons beach home.
The hotel is divided into two buildings housing 96 suites, spread over three floors. As I arrived late, there was no one in front of me and check-in was prompt and easy.
All rooms at Beach House Hotel are the same studio suite layout with 450 square feet. The sleeping area was separated from the living area by a desk partition and the kitchenette. Whether you choose an entry-level Standard View or a top-tier Ocean Front, your room will be exactly the same.
I was booked in an Ocean View, which meant my balcony provided ocean views, but didn't face it directly. I think this was a good thing, which I'll get to in a minute.
I slept well and didn't hear noise from other rooms, though I did hear it from the hallway. Housekeeping services started quite early even on a weekend and were loud. While they were simply working diligently to flip rooms, I'd request flagging potential noise when checking in if that's a concern.
The room was dressed in white-washed wood with brown and blue hues and minimal decor. My King-sized bed was spacious and comfortable and faced a desk with a small TV.
The room around the bed was a bit limited, and once my husband and I both opened our large suitcases, the area started to feel cramped. This could feel frustrating in high season when room prices soar.
The living area had a sleeper sofa and chair, facing a larger TV mounted above a fireplace, and opened to a balcony. The fireplace was a nice touch for winter when temps dip low at night. The decor was comfortable but traditional. Don't expect the hip look likely found in highly styled rooms in Santa Monica or Venice.
We did encounter one minor problem with the TV. Watching TV in bed, the remote turned on both TVs at once, and it was challenging to fix. It's a small consequence of the open layout. And while the space suited us just fine, families should know there is no door or option to close off the bedroom area from the living room.
There was also a small kitchenette between the sleeping and living areas, with a microwave, mini-fridge, coffee machine, and hot plate. This is a nice touch for extended stays, though there's no dishwasher to clean up afterward.
My bathroom was large, with a walk-in shower and soaking tub. The shower had good pressure, but the water was slow to drain. Had I stayed longer, I would have flagged it.
The jewel was the balcony with Adirondack chairs. We faced a small park with stunning ocean views, especially at sunset. I would highly recommend opting for an Ocean View or Partial Ocean View on this side of the building for a few reasons.
The hotel's location near the bustling Hermosa Pier is one of it's best draws, only a few steps from the best bars and restaurants in town. As such, late-night revelers stumble home at all hours. Some Standard rooms may face that action and bring unwanted noise.
And the highest-tier Ocean Front rooms face the Strand. While this is the best view available, ground floor rooms may be woken early by rollerbladers, power walkers, and runners whizzing by. Additionally, as part of the fun of walking along the Strand is peering into beachfront homes, you'll have less privacy. If you opt for Ocean Front, make sure to request a top floor room.
Alternatively, Ocean View and Partial Ocean View are more affordable and offer equally beautiful views from a more peaceful setting.
Compare room types and prices for Beach House Hotel Hermosa Beach on Booking.com
Complimentary continental breakfast is offered to all guests. It was well stocked with coffee and tea, fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, cereal, and baked goods. There was plenty of room inside or out to enjoy breakfast, though it was crowded at busy times.
While breakfast is available every day, there is no other restaurant on-site (aside from in-room dining), so you'll have to venture out for other meals, or prepare one in your kitchenette.
I opted to sit outside for breakfast to enjoy the fresh air and people-watching. These seats, naturally, filled up the fastest, and are first-come, first-served.
Afterward, grab beach chairs and towels provided to guests, or request a bike rental for a ride along the Strand's 26-mile path. You may also try the volleyball courts right in front of the hotel, which annually hosts the AVP tournament.
Spa services are also on offer, in a small treatment room, or in-room as well.
There's a small gym, though if you're planning on cardio, you're better off running on the Strand. I stopped in for a quick weight set and found the room to be sufficient, though a bit limited in both amenities and space.
There's no pool at Beach House Hotel, as the main draw is the beach itself. But there is a small Jacuzzi adjacent to the gym. It's surrounded by a mural of the beach, set under a vented grid ceiling that made it feel confined. I was turned off by the layout, but two other guests entered at the same time and were quite excited to use it. To each their own.
The beach, of course. The hotel directly faces a huge stretch of soft sand and miles of Strand walkway, perfect for a peaceful stroll or workout.
Walk either direction and you'll reach Redondo Beach on one side and Manhattan Beach on the other. It's about a mile and a half between the Hermosa Beach Pier and the Manhattan Beach Pier, making it a great pre or post-dinner walk to check out the adjoining areas. Both piers are filled with buzzy restaurants, hip nightlife, and chic shops.
Beach House is the top favorite on Trip Advisor, rated 1 out of 7 hotels in Hermosa Beach. It's earned 4.5 out of 5.0 stars from over 900 reviews, with mostly positive feedback praising its beachfront location, clean spacious rooms, and breakfast provided. It also holds a "Superb" 9.2 out of 10 rating on Booking.com.
One reviewer raved, "Location is 5 star, steps from the beach ... Light continental breakfast is included, with convenient parking next to valet options as well ... Every single room boasts a balcony (complete with two chairs and a small side table), and even a fireplace! I only wish we could have stayed longer."
Some guests were unhappy with a lack of views for the price, which can be quite elevated in busier seasons, or noise from the Strand. Others lamented the lack of swimming pool and crowded breakfast room. "Positives of the lower floor rooms are that you have uninterrupted beach and ocean views and entertainment as the eclectic group of folks walk, jog, cycle, and skate up and down The Strand. Slight negatives were that they do this from 6 a.m. until sunset (we got woken up every morning at about 7 a.m.) so if you're after sleep, don't book oceanfront."
Read reviews and compare prices for Beach House Hotel Hermosa Beach on Trip Advisor
Who stays here: LA locals on staycation, repeat LA visitors looking for a beach without the Venice crowds, couples, and families.
We like: The oceanfront address facing the Strand and beach. I loved savoring the morning air while people watching from the breakfast patio.
We love (don't miss this feature!): The all-suite accommodation with balcony. The Ocean View room offered a great vantage point, with more privacy than Ocean Front. I only wish I had more time to sit outside on the terrace and take it all in.
We think you should know: Room prices soar in summer, easily surpassing $400 per night for a starter room without views. But, it's still the only beachfront hotel in the area, and easily cheaper than a smaller room in Santa Monica that isn't beachfront.
We'd do this differently next time: I'd consider another room view type to determine which really offers the best value.
Beach House Hotel Hermosa Beach is a peaceful enclave inspired by the laid-back beach vibes that surround it. With a spacious studio layout, all rooms offer the same accommodations no matter the price. If you plan to spend all your time on the sand, or won't have much time outside, consider saving a few dollars with a Standard or Partial Ocean View. If you love the idea of watching daily sunsets from your balcony, upgrade to Ocean View or Ocean Front.
And while prices start at $259, which is likely more than you'll pay for a traditional hotel room up the road, you'll enjoy more amenities with a kitchenette, balcony, and included breakfast and beach chairs in all bookings.
Even in peak season, prices will likely be lower and crowds fewer than in tourist trodden Santa Monica or Venice, and you'll enjoy rare beachfront access in Hermosa, a hidden L.A. gem.