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Address: 1301 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: (310) 933-9113
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Website: https://edensm.com/
If you’ve ever been up Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, you’ve likely noticed the iconic seven story hotel that is now The Eden.
With its rounded corners and ship-like design, this historic structure is one of the few remaining remnants of Streamline Moderne architecture in Santa Monica.
This historic landmark was originally designed in 1939, and was recently entered into the list of Historic Hotels in America. Strict restrictions are in place to maintain the integrity of the exterior of the hotel, thus limiting any renovations to the outside. However, the interior recently underwent a multiyear renovation and has emerged as The Eden, a pet-friendly boutique hotel.
Location
The Eden is located on the southeast corner of Ocean Avenue and Arizona Avenue, just across the road from Santa Monica Beach. In the heart of downtown Santa Monica, the hotel’s location is excellent for exploring the city by foot. Within minutes of the hotel you’ll find The 3rd Street Promenade and the farmers market pops up just behind the hotel on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
A short walk across Ocean Avenue and down the footbridge across Arizona Avenue will spit you onto the beach. From there you have the option to walk the beach or walk along the gorgeous Ocean Front Walk, a car-free paved walkway for cyclists and pedestrians that ends in Venice.
This is a wonderful stroll which affords you views of the ocean, the Original Muscle Beach exercise era dating back to the 1930’s, and the abundant volleyball nets that line the beach. You’ll also see rollerbladers, adorable dogs on walks, as well as individual surfers and surf lessons that meet in the parking lots getting ready to catch some waves.
Walkability
Santa Monica is one of the most walkable areas in Los Angeles, and The Eden is poised at the center of it all. Ocean Avenue is littered with hotels, restaurants, shops and bars, and a walk in any direction will land you somewhere worth exploring.
The Santa Monica Pier is an 11 minute walk from The Eden, and several museums are even closer (Santa Monica Art Museum, Santa Monica History Museum, and the Museum of Illusions).
The walk to Venice is a wonderful stroll and takes about 45 minutes depending on your pace from The Eden and is worth the effort. The pathway that winds along the beach is a great way to experience the beach without dealing with sandy feet. For recommendations for bars and restaurants in Venice, please check out my previous post here.
Room and Amenities
The Queen room at The Eden was light-filled but modest in size. While it lacked some of the modern amenities normally expected in a hotel room like a coffee maker, robes and slippers, the bed was unbelievably comfortable, making up for these previous shortcomings. I found the bed to be so delicious that I lamented the loss of the close bond I had made with it as I packed my things on the day I was leaving. The mattress and pillows had just the right firmness, and the sheets were heaven against my skin.
The bathroom was spacious, and the marble tub was big enough for four. If you’re a smaller human or have mobility issues, I would suggest asking for a room with a shower instead of the tub.
Bathroom Amenities
I have a soft spot for bathroom amenities and The Eden did not disappoint with their Sachajuan products. The Swedish luxury brand specializes in vegan haircare, but their body wash and lotions were equally exquisite. The Shiny Citrus body wash was a true experience, and I found additional reasons to shower for the opportunity to use the enticingly scented products.
Bars and Restaurants
The rooftop space at this historic hotel has been a Santa Monica staple for decades as the only true open air rooftop in the city. Now called The Velvet Rose, it has continued to be one of the top places in Santa Monica for a drink at sunset. The sprawling rooftop patio has sweeping views over the Pacific ocean across the street, as well as a glassed-in seating area with a fire pit.
Inside the bar is cozy, complete with green tufted booths, light pink walls and deluxe art deco light fixtures. The curved corners of the room and tasseled pillows are the final touches to transport you to a different era.
The Velvet Rose menu offers elevated drinking snacks like deviled eggs and tinned fish with crackers. I recommend dining somewhere like Elephante just around the corner for something heavier, but a light nosh while taking in the sunset with a martini in hand should not be missed.
Downstairs in the lobby The Eden has teamed up with local coffee roasters Coffee Manufactory. The handsome in-house cafe, heavily accented with dark wood and expansive booths, is a great place to enjoy your americano and chia seed pudding.
Windows line the west wall, and a handful of potted plants accent the space nicely. The metal detailing on the windows and the brushed nickel handrails show the continued dedication to the streamline moderne architecture apparent throughout the details of the hotel.
Pool
The vast ground-floor patio and pool deck are a main attraction of the hotel. Exuding a classic Beverly Hills vibe, the black and white cabana stripe loungers and pool bar surrounding the year-round heated salt water pool are an invitation to stay and relax at this stately hotel.
Community
Beyond the partnership with Coffee Manufactory, The Eden’s commitment to community is evident in their collaboration with RNB Yoga – an inclusive, non-traditional pop-up yoga collective that hosts yoga classes on their rooftop during the warmer months.
Things to Note
While most modern hotel elevators are protected with keycard access, The Eden is not. Likely due to the original design of the elevators, anyone is able to access the elevators and stairways to move freely about the hotel. If this is a safety concern for you, I might suggest finding an alternative with those protections in place. For alternative hotels in Santa Monica, please read my previous post here for suggestions.
Final Thoughts
The Eden is steeped in history that can be felt throughout the hotel. The glass block clerestory walls, bold horizontal lines in the architecture and curvature throughout the structure are stunning and will be a delight for design lovers and tourists alike.
I look forward to returning to The Eden in the warmer months, when the pool is in full swing. That said, no matter the season, the hotel’s Santa Monica location is hard to beat—especially when you factor in the building’s historic character and its pet-friendly appeal.
