In Santa Monica, where ocean light filters through rows of stately palms, the One MICHELIN Key property, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows offers a particular kind of calm. At the corner of Ocean Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, it rises above the coastline and neighboring Palisades Park, offering deep roots, layered history, and an enduring sense of hospitality.
For me, this hotel is more than a destination. Years ago, in the early stretch of my career as a travel writer, the Fairmont Miramar was one of the first luxury properties that welcomed my coverage. I returned twice during one summer, while my sons were working summer jobs in the area during their college years. I fondly recall early mornings by the pool, coffee in hand, and walks along Palisades Park, eagerly awaiting my boys’ post-work arrival for dinner at FIG Restaurant. Returning now feels less like visiting and more like reconnecting.
The hotel’s heritage runs deeper than most in Los Angeles. The land once belonged to Senator John P. Jones, a mining magnate and one of the city’s founders, who built a grand Victorian home on the site in 1889. His wife, Georgina and her gardener also planted a Moreton Bay fig that year, a tree now designated as a registered historic landmark. At 80-feet high, it’s the second largest of its kind in California, and it stands just inside the resort’s front gate. It is often listed on Santa Monica “must see” lists.
Over the decades, the Jones home gave way to a series of thoughtful additions, evolving into the hotel that stands today—one that blends legacy with modern luxury, and hospitality with discretion. During the “Roaring Twenties” the Miramar became a chosen getaway spot for celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe who used the hotel as a haven from fans and the prying eyes of media. Through the decades, a multitude of other movie stars, rock legends, political luminaries, and professional athletes have been charmed by the Miramar’s combination of luxury and seclusion. The resort has also long been a favorite locale for television and movie shoots.
Each of the hotel’s several buildings—the ten-story Ocean Tower with sleek decor, the six-story historic Palisades wing, and the iconic bungalows—is nestled amongst tropical flowers, palm trees, and tranquil water features. Each speaks to a different kind of traveler, but all share a consistent design ethos—understated elegance, generous comfort, and a strong sense of place. And each is outfitted with Le Labo bath products, Nespresso machines, and thoughtful touches like blackout drapes and high-thread-count linens. The Ocean Tower rooms offer sweeping views of the Pacific and Santa Monica Pier, while the Palisades Wing features more traditional interiors with a residential sensibility.
For those seeking privacy, the 31 1930s-era Bungalows remain the hotel’s signature experience. Hidden within the property’s lush gardens and accessed via winding brick paths, each is a luxe retreat of privacy without isolation, and indulgence without ostentation. Beachy decor is refined without being ornamental—wood floors, neutral palettes, and just enough detail to feel intentional. Some offer fireplaces, soaking tubs, or secluded patios, and all feature deluxe Dyson hairdryers. (If this particular amenity doesn’t excite you, you’ve likely never tried one. It’s a game changer for those of us who appreciate a good blowout.)
Elsewhere on the property, offerings include a pool and pool deck with plenty of shade, and a 24-hour fitness center. Borrow a cruiser bike for a languid ride along the 22 mile beach path, or take advantage of the house car service for local jaunts. (It’s a luxurious Lucid, so you might want to make up an errand just for the ride.)
Dining is led by the hotel’s signature FIG Restaurant. It’s a favorite of locals, which hints at its quality and vibrant ambiance (and possibly the “FIG at 5” half price Happy Hour Tuesday – Saturday.) Here, the focus is on locally sourced, market-driven cuisine with clean flavors and approachable elegance. Menus shift with the seasons, often drawing from the nearby Santa Monica Farmers Market. I was satiated with the crisp Gem Lettuce Caesar and the photo-worthy Margherita Pizza, while the fam feasted on the 12oz Prime New York Strip and Heirloom Carrots dusted with ricotta salata. Weekend brunch here is always a highlight, with a lively crowd filling the sun-drenched space that spills out to the terrace overlooking the pool.
For something more intimate, Soko is an 8-seat sushi bar helmed by veteran Sushi Chef Masa Shimakawa whose omakase menu is finding a cult following. The tiny eatery is named for what the restaurant once was; Soko means storeroom, and that’s what the space was before finding new life as an in-the-know destination. For lighter options, the Lobby Lounge is a great meeting spot for all day dining. At night, a sultry vibe makes it ideal for enjoying shared plates and crafted cocktails. On Friday and Saturday evenings, Lobby Lounge Live takes over the space from 7:00pm to 10:00pm, with live piano music performed by talented musicians. On these music nights, guests can dine and imbibe at the piano’s bar-like counter, right next to the performers. It’s fun and festive, as are the Tuesday night Mixology Classes ($45pp) within FIG’s private dining room (the Potting Shed).
In a saturated hospitality market, the Fairmont Miramar remains relevant by doing something simple and increasingly rare: offering guests a sense of place, privacy, and permanence. It’s not merely a place to stay in Santa Monica—it’s a place to return again and again.
Photos courtesy of Fairmont Miramar Resort & Bungalows