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It's always a treat to find an unexpected property in an area that most people visit and stay in high rise hotels. Although many of those properties sit right on the beach and offer a lot of amenities, sometimes it's just plain nice to stay in a cozy, comfortable spot that feels more like home. The Channel Road Inn is just one of those places.
Located in Santa Monica, near the beach, sits a house built in 1910 and restored in 1989 with original Craftsman accents. Your room choices vary from a spa suite to a room with a fireplace to a cozy queen accommodation and more in between. With each stay, you receive a buffet breakfast each morning – how does Grand Marnier French Toast sound? In addition, there is wine, cheese and hors d'oeuvres served each afternoon. It gets better – at 3:00, there are fresh baked cookies for you near the lobby and each day, it's a new variety, so you are excited to get back from a day at the beach or sightseeing to see what's in store.
Throughout the day, you can access free refreshments in the way of coffee, tea, soda and water. Books and movies are available to borrow from their library – there is on-site parking (a big plus), free wireless internet and bicycles to borrow for a ride to the beach and beyond.
Santa Monica has much to offer – this property is about a 2 minute walk to the beach – remember, you can borrow a bike and go exploring – they even provide beach towels. You can get over to the famous Santa Monica Pier as well as Venice Beach. The Third Street Promenade is a short cab ride away. This large pedestrian mall is full of shops, theaters, street performers and lots of wonderful restaurants.
There are a lot of free things to do in the area. Visit the Getty Villa and the Eames House. Go to the Santa Monica Museum of Art and then explore the Design District. Your hosts will be able to guide you to all these wonderful attractions.
Just because you're on the beach in Santa Monica, remember that only 8 miles away is Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive or about 17 miles away is downtown Los Angeles. You're in L.A, so you will have a car and this is a great drive from the hotel. Speaking of great drives, you can get on the Pacific Coast Highway and drive up to Malibu, which is about 50 miles away – the options are endless.
Back at your B&B, you can relax in the private garden or sit out on the big front porch with your fellow visitors and share the stories of the day. There are only 15 guest rooms here, so be sure to plan your visit well in advance – you won't want to miss staying in this charming property.
There are a few rooms that are dog friendly and available for a fee. The beach, bicycles and breakfast beckon – add this to your list of visits in California.
Website: www.channelroadinn.com
Rating: 
October 18, 2023
