The Viceroy Santa Monica has long been a California favorite, a luxe and discreet little enclave set a block and a half back from the beach, convenient to everything in town but just remote enough to feel like a properly private escape. Fresh off a thorough renovation, the Viceroy’s colonial-style interiors have been replaced by a warmer, more organic look, one that pays tribute to the building’s Modernist heritage as well as the natural splendor of Southern California. Too often visual sophistication comes at the expense of real quality, but the Viceroy holds up this end as well: guest rooms come complete with fine Italian linens and down duvets on the beds, body and hair care products by Neil George, and high-definition Samsung televisions. Rooms come with balconies, and though only half are oriented toward the Pacific, the view more than justifies the added expense. Sugar Palm Santa Monica is the hotel’s sprawling indoor-outdoor restaurant and bar, serving meals, drinks, and light bites everywhere from the dining room to the garden lounge to the poolside. The beach is a short walk away, but most visitors will likely find themselves headed toward the shops, bars and restaurants on the Third Street Promenade. How to get there: Viceroy Santa Monica is a 20-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport.