The Georgian, Santa Monica, Los Angeles
Art Deco Glamour Returns to California’s Coast
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A beautifully restored 1933 Art Deco landmark that once again ranks among Santa Monica’s most iconic addresses.
● Fettle’s imaginative redesign captures the romance of Old Hollywood while introducing a fresh, contemporary Californian spirit.
● Oceanfront dining, vibrant social spaces, and sweeping Pacific views make it as much a destination for locals as for travelers.
The First Lady of Santa Monica
Standing proudly along Ocean Avenue since 1933, The Georgian has long been one of California’s most recognizable hotels. Its striking turquoise façade, crisp white detailing, and elegant Art Deco silhouette earned it the nickname The First Lady of Santa Monica, welcoming generations of Hollywood stars, artists, and travelers overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Following an extensive restoration by London-based design studio Fettle, the hotel has entered a remarkable new chapter. Rather than recreating the past with museum-like precision, the designers chose to reinterpret its glamour for today—preserving its identity while giving it renewed energy and personality.
A Fresh Take on Art Deco
Fettle’s interiors celebrate Art Deco through a contemporary lens. Rich blues, warm creams, polished timber, terrazzo, brass accents, custom tilework, and geometric detailing create spaces that feel layered, elegant, and full of character. Inspired not only by 1930s California but also by Havana’s vibrant Art Deco architecture, the palette introduces deeper reds, ocean blues, and playful contrasts that bring warmth and vitality to every room. Touches of Wes Anderson-style symmetry and the sun-soaked glamour of Slim Aarons photography subtly influence the atmosphere, resulting in interiors that feel nostalgic without becoming theatrical.
Rooms Framed by the Pacific
The Georgian’s 84 guestrooms and suites balance vintage character with contemporary comfort. Custom furnishings, soft textiles, warm wood finishes, brass detailing, and refined palettes of cream, teal, and gold create elegant spaces that quietly celebrate the building’s heritage. Many rooms enjoy uninterrupted views across the Pacific Ocean, while others overlook the lively streets of Santa Monica, ensuring the surrounding landscape remains part of the experience. The mood is unmistakably Old Hollywood, yet entirely suited to modern living.
A New Social Landmark
The Georgian has reclaimed its place as one of Santa Monica’s most vibrant gathering places. The Dining Room combines coastal California cuisine with timeless elegance, while the Sunset Bar and Sunset Terrace invite guests to linger over cocktails as the Pacific glows at golden hour. Hidden below, the intimate Georgian Room embraces the hotel’s glamorous past with live music, performances, and cultural programming that echo the spirit of the building’s early years. Rather than functioning solely as a hotel, The Georgian once again feels like part of Santa Monica’s cultural life.
Ocean Avenue at Its Finest
Few locations capture Southern California quite like Ocean Avenue. The beach, Santa Monica Pier, Palisades Park, cafés, galleries, and boutiques are all moments away, allowing guests to experience both the relaxed rhythm of the coast and the creative energy of the city. Throughout the day, the changing light across the Pacific becomes a constant backdrop, reinforcing the hotel’s timeless connection to its setting.
Why It Works
The Georgian succeeds because it understands that restoration is about emotion as much as architecture. Fettle has created interiors that respect the hotel’s remarkable history while embracing the optimism and creativity of contemporary California. Rich with Art Deco elegance, layered with cinematic references, and animated by renewed social energy, The Georgian once again stands among the defining hotels of Santa Monica—an icon reborn for a new generation.
