Casa Del Mar

Casa del Mar's sophistication and highly developed sense of fun has draw n an elite beach-loving crowd since its debut in the 1920s. Set on a sandy beach in Santa Monica, California, the hotel's decor of stenciled wood beams, velvet drapes, and such whimsical touches as a classic photo booth and fortune teller machine evoke an era of simple pleasures. The Mediterranean seaside retreat features 129 ultra-stylish rooms with overstuffed chaises, marble deep-soaking tubs, and such modern-day amenities as flat-screen TVs, highspeed Internet access, and DVD /CD players.

Everywhere guests look, they find exquisite detail in craftsmanship and decorative whimsy, whether in their rooms, the lobby, lounge, gourmet restaurant, fitness center, spa, or on the Palm Terrace and pool deck. Celebrity sightings abound.

Corporate events take on a history-making feel. Gilded chandeliers and 13-foot Palladian windows overlooking the Pacific add period elegance to the Colonnade Ballroom, a flexible event space holding 300 for dinner and 400 for receptions. The Boardroom seats up to 18 attendees, the Indigo Room holds up to 24 for banquets and 21 for meetings, and the Crimson
Room handles 50 for banquets or 35 for meetings. Private living rooms adjoin the Boardroom and Crimson Room for breaks and hospitality.

After meeting the day away, guests regroup at Catch—the gourmet restaurant and sushi bar—the Library, and the Veranda lounge to unwind in the playground of the stars.