Casa Del Mar

02/03/08

Gift shop clerk very rude

by itsme470 at Citysearch

I have been in this gift shop a few times. The clerk is more interested in her phone conversations then helping the guests. She seems very put out when you walk in.

04/30/07

GORGEOUS!

by mckensies at Citysearch

I have clients come into town from out of the country and they love it here! I could hang out with them in their rooms all day long and feel like I'm in heaven!

• Pros: Beautiful
• Cons: nothing

01/02/07

Hotel Casa Del Mar's deco-redux offers romantic ocean vistas, sensational sunsets and a pricey California cuisine.

by Martha Burr at Citysearch

The Scene
With brass and wood accents, this Gatsby-on-the-Pacific-inspired dining room is framed by a fireplace and huge, panoramic windows overlooking the expanse of Santa Monica's beach and boardwalk. The adjacent lounge's torch singers add to the glory of nature's own show, as elegantly casual tourists and business diners remain utterly engaged in their dinners and deals.

The Food
A European-influenced menu confirms the kitchen's reputation for fine cuisine, including reliable fish and meat dishes and a few culinary gems. Delicate crab cakes are beautifully spiked with lime, and creamy goat cheese ravioli has a robust twang. Tops among entrees are house specialty beef short ribs, succulent meat tinged with a dark sauce hinting of anise and clove. Tender hunks of grilled Colorado lamb are a close second, and prawns sauteed in garlic butter are irresistibly piquant. Sea salt caramel tart makes for a sweet, smooth finish.

10/07/06

What a disappointment

by cleopta08 at Citysearch

Regardless of how good or bad you thought the service was.....they take a 20% graduity. I left about a 15% tip on my credit card, then all the sudden I was checking my checking account statement and see they charged me more then what I signed for......I don't know, that is just WRONG to me......almost sounds illegal too!!! Sure the food is good......but I really wouldn't go eat there again.

09/22/06

Love this place

by dariusthegreat at Citysearch

One late night, some years back, I proposed to my wife in this hotel. Every so often I stop-by and reminisce. Great place, great service, great location, great view.

08/16/06

Do NOT go to their "High Tide" (high tea) Service!!!!

by ginburri at Citysearch

We went to the Casa Del Mar after reading a write up on their high tea service. When we arrived we were told that you have to have at least 24 hr advance reservations, but it doesn't mention this any where on their website, so we wasted a drive to santa monica. I later called to make reservations for the following week & was told that they needed a credit card to secure a reservation & it must be faxed. I do not have a fax & requested an e-mail form instead which took 2 days to be sent to me.

After finally getting my reservation confirmed we were dismally disappointed with their high tea. The bread was stale on the few sandwiches you get, some of the desserts were totally inedible. When we told our waitress that the chocolate cannolli was horrible her response was "yes we get a lot of complaints on that one" It was burnt to a crisp & hard as a rock! No apology or offer of some kind of replacement. And to add insult to injury our waitress added in her own gratuity of almost 20% for a party of 3!!! I can't stress how disappointed we were with the whole experience. Normally I love the food and atmosphere at the casa del mar but I doubt if ever will go back again....

• Pros: usually great place to have drinks & appetizers & watch sunset
• Cons: horrible high tea, nonchalant attitude

06/12/06

Santa Monica's toniest lodging brings a taste of the Riviera to the Westside.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
Looking at this stately manor, it's hard to imagine that it once served as a utilitarian military hotel (during WWII) and a drug rehab center. Opened in 1926, Casa Del Mar was originally Club Casa Del Mar, an exclusive members-only beach resort catering to the highfalutin. The current accommodations were unveiled in 1999 after an exhaustive $60 million renovation.

The Details
Lush Riviera dei Fiori-inspired touches abound inside this brick-and-sandstone structure nestled on the sand. Step inside the foyer and a regal air washes over you (think intricately tiled floors, exposed stenciled wood beams and forest-green velvet drapery). The opulence continues in every sherbet-colored guest room. Several suites are outfitted with plushy four-poster beds, and all have Italian-marbled baths. Other luxuries include hydrothermal massage tubs, chaises, hand-painted armoires, full-service spa, health club and business center.

01/05/06

Great Food with a Beach Sunset

by russkar at Citysearch

We really enjoyed the View and most of all the Food. Most of the time we are disappointed with Hotel Food but this is the exception.

Casa Del Mar's restaurant OCEANFRONT is truly a golden find, enjoy!

The Manager is Allan from the GRILL ON THE ALLEY so expect great service.

09/05/02

Very Chic!

by Jrestaino at Citysearch

Very cool and romantic place...have spent two weekends there this summer and this place is great!

• Pros: Great rooms, Great bar, Location
• Cons: Bar can be crowded

07/29/02

The Best

by vickie375 at Citysearch

Beautiful bar, upscale, great view of ocean, pricey

Close to everything, walking distance to the Santa Monica pier on the beach.