When the bus tour I had booked messed up my booking and left me standing at the Cadillac Hotel with nowhere to go, Lindsay, the hotel front desk manager, went direct to the bus company who offered a refund. BUT I had a whole day to fill before my flight home and I was terribly disappointed. Jeff, the hotel manager, very kindly, personally drove me to the main bus tour depot in his own car, so I could connect with the tour along the route. I was amazed at his kindness and professionalism. Lindsay and Jeff, thank you both so much. The tour was excellent.

stayed here for 2 nights and loved it.

the entrance of the hotel is on the side in a small street - don't worry if your navigator gets you to the backstreet of this one, there is simply no other access by car.

service and management was utterly friendly and forthcoming.

looking out from a seafront view room, you'll get everything you came for to venice beach: sea breeze, waves, palm trees, the broadwalk with tons of artist stands and during the night, the homeless that are sleeping at the side of the hotel (totally acceptable by venice beach standards, they won't hazzle you and the noise was bearable at all times;-)

everything in venice beach is in walking distance from the hotel - it's 20 minutes to santa monica pier and 30 to venice beach pier, in between is all the attractions, shops, cafes, restaurant you'd like for your visit.

all things considered, the hotel is a great value for its location and atmosphere... well maintained for its age and a wonderful hangout if you want to have venice from its most original side.

After grinding through LA's abusive roadways for a day, my wife and I decided we would bed down somewhere in the Santa Monica-Venice Beach-Marina del Rey string of neighborhoods. The Cadillac Hotel is right on the Venice Beach Boardwalk, and since it matched our budget--$80-$120 per night--we decided to try it. The unassuming building blends in seamlessly with the surrounding shops and residences, and the carnival of boardwalk characters who make Venice so famous were just bopping around every which way. However, once inside the hotel, we were impressed by how set apart the interior was from the boardwalk scene. From the lobby, through the halls, and to our room, it was clear the hotel had been recently renovated. With a minimalist approach, it was clean and stylish through and through, with no no air of hipster or This Is Art. The concierge on-duty appeared to be a one-man show for the evening. He was friendly, laid-back, and knowledgeable. For an additional $16 we were able to park just on the other side of building. We also requested wifi access for an extra $2. All tolled, we spent $140 for the night. Our queen room was a little gem, a comfy and close space. It had a simple elegance and the basic furnishing, which included a flat screen TV and ipod dock. Our window alone allowed us all the sights and sounds that, put together, make Venice Beach feel like SOMEWHERE--ocean waves rolling; people talking, singing, yelling, laughing; sand and palm trees all the way up to the lights of Santa Monica Pier. I can't imagine a better retreat in the grimy beauty that is LA.

The street people of Venice are a large part of what makes this community interesting. While it was slightly shocking to see a rather unsavory-looking group hanging out in front of the hotel -- we had just left the Getty Center (a lovely place with no blade of grass out of place) -- Moses, the night clerk, assured us they were artists who had no interest in harming their potential customers. We adjusted our attitude to enjoy the adventure, and we did indeed.

The little grocery across the street had what we needed, though doesn't sell liquor of any kind; the corner cafe (Candles) was friendly and had a good menu at the right price. The fancy restaurant (Picolo) between the two was a snooty, overpriced joke we decided to skip. The neighborhood bar around the corner had live music: we danced. The bike 'n board shop a block away rented us 2 good bikes for a day of fun. What more could you want?

Cadillac Hotel has simple, but eclectic decor and a great rooftop. Sheets were a bit thin, but the towels were plentiful, thick and fluffy. Clean room, good bed, friendly staff. Great location right on the Venice Beach/Boardwalk. I look forward to returning.