Greeted by a sprawling 130 year old fig tree flanking the drive of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, you arrive to one of Santa Monica’s most iconic addresses.  Sitting atop the bluffs and overlooking the beach, Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Pier you definitely get a sense of place while at the hotel.  You’ll walk into the newly renovated Lobby Lounge, explore the Jones Library and take in the views from the Ocean Terrace.  

Upon arrival, I checked into my One Bedroom Tower Suite with ample space and gorgeous views of the Santa Monica Pier.  The mid-century modern designed room was nicely appointed and had clean lines.  I couldn’t help but get excited over the personalized Le Labo toiletries with my name on it!  

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After checking in, I found a corner in the lobby lounge where I enjoyed a lovely glass of Sauvignon Blanc and admired the amazing people watching!  After the crazy year we’ve all just had, it was great to see people reuniting, laughing over drinks and celebrating life.  Really special to witness.  

With hanging plants everywhere, wide open windows and views overlooking the bungalows and pool was the scene at the FIG Santa Monica restaurant where we had dinner.  They have a really fun cocktail list and I was persuaded to try the Black Bear which was yummy!  I had the Maine Lobster Rigatoni that had lots of lobster.   

What better way to work off a meal than to go dancing?  Well, modified dancing due to covid-19 protocols you have to stay in your seat, but still dancing!  We had a table at the lively Bungalow, which is a lounge that plays oldies all night long.  Feeling the ocean breeze under the open air, tree filled space, the bungalow is an LA nightlife staple.  Known for the occasional celebrity sightings and exclusivity, the Bungalow is a fun surprise while staying at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows.  Try to find the picture booth to capture the evening and make memories! 

In the morning, chilaquiles in the Jones Library were a must at brunch.  After brunch, we piled into the BMW x7 to our secluded beach picnic setup.  We were spoiled with a boho chic picnic curated by Talk About a Party who creates these beautiful Instagram worthy set ups.  Our host, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows put it all together and brought ample snacks and drinks for us to enjoy.  This was for sure a highlight and something I’d recommend highly to anyone staying at the hotel!  It was just the perfect afternoon.  

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Some other fun things to do while in Santa Monica would include shopping at the Promenade where there’s lots of great shops, live music, restaurants, etc.  Take one of the bikes down to the Santa Monica Pier, enjoy some of the many yoga studios, barre studios or HIIT studios in the area to keep up with your work out routine.  There’s also great hiking nearby that the concierge can recommend.  

Finally, before hitting the road back to San Diego, I had to try Dogtown Coffee.  It is a local brand and they have some of the best coffee!  I had the DTC Salty Dog Iced Coffee that they are known for and it was delicious.  This is also a big reason I’d come back, just such a cool coffee shop to have in your hotel. 

Thank you again Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows for the hospitality & Avant-Garde Travel for the opportunity to experience!    

For more information about Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows and to book your Santa Monica trip contact me today at janelle@lilacsandchai.com .