Stayed at the Sea View Inn, Room #206, on Oct. 26, 2011, luxury deluxe queen room. Can't say enough about management and the room. Folks, if you want the Marriott, go there. This is the real deal of a beach hotel, quirks and all. The manager, James, is so committed to giving his guests a good stay. It's truly hard to believe the negative reviews posted here. We live in Illinois so have no interest in the company.

Pros:

Beds -- so comfy! Our sleep was great. The pillows are awesome as well. The ambiance is so quintessential old-style beach hotel. Very clean rooms, too.

Location! This hotel is within walking distance of all the downtown Manhattan Beach restaurants, pier, etc. We had a lovely stroll down the strand to an awesome downtown dinner and back -- we even saw celebrities! Safe walk and beautiful scenery!

Parking lot! Where do you get that on Highland Ave?

Yes, there is a sea view. It's not ocean front, but they don't say that it is. There are no ocean front hotels in Manhattan Beach.

Quiet -- this hotel is located on Highland Avenue, which is the major commuter route in Manhattan Beach. They designed our room (can't speak to others) to have the beds away from the busy street. We were not awakened by the commuter noise in the morning.

Lending program -- we didn't take advantage, but they do lend bikes, beach chairs, whatever you need. The management here wants you to be happy and return!

Cons:

You may have to pull your luggage across the busy street to get to your room.

There is no in-room coffee, nor any in the office, nor any within jammy-walking distance.

Summary:

Give this place a try. This is a locally owned property that is thriving. They truly want to make this an awesome place and we think they've achieved it. The walkable factor to the fun MB stuff is unparalleled.

The Sea View Inn might better be called the Street View Inn. It's a motley array of six buildings, most of which are showing their age, on four corners of a busy street. My husband and I returned to our room the first night to the stench of sewer gas so we had to pack up and move all of our things to another building across the street.

The next morning we had to take cold showers and when we brought this to the attention of the attendant he quizzed us about whether we'd tried the faucets in the sink to see if there was hot water there. So we went back to our room...hot water in the sink, check. But still not in the shower. He came to our room and figured out that the Hot/Cold was reversed on the dial; it had been plumbed backwards! When we suggested that there should be a sign telling guests to turn the dial in the opposite direction he said a word that can't be printed in this review and walked out of the room, slamming the door.

We called the manager on our way home the next day, expecting a different attitude; but what we got was more of the same! He said we had hot water, the sewer gas was the city's problem, not his, and he was not going to give us a break on the price of the room. Then he hung up on my husband! In fairness, I have to say that the loaner bikes are a great amenity; but all in all, the Sea View Inn was a huge disappointment in every respect--view, maintenance, and management.

Three friends and I spent 3 nights last weekend at the Sea View Inn to celebrate a couple of birthdays. We rented the "Executive" room - 1 closed bedroom, one studio bedroom that was open to the living room, 1 bath, small kitchen and living room.

Highlights:
$30 cab ride from the airport (or free parking if you drive)
Walk to EVERYTHING - tons of restaurants and the beach - so you don't need a car.
Free bike rental, boogie boards, beach chairs, beach toys, beach towels (so we packed light!)
Clean, comfortable room
Friendly staff
Biked from hotel down to Redondo and then all the way to Venice Beach on a great bike path along the ocean
Pool at the hotel

Low lights:
If you have health issues, you might have a hard time climbing the very steep 3 blocks from the beach to the hotel. We didn't mind at all since we were trying to walk off all the great food we ate.

I don't make statements like the one above lightly. In fact, I typically stay in 4-5 star hotels when I travel...but I LOVE the SeaView. I originally came here out of convenience and now I make a point to stay here whenver I am in the LA area.

The best rooms (IMHO) are the Luxury Rooms on the west side of the street. Nice views, gas fireplaces, sitting area, etc.

The Seaview is very charming, is in a great location and has a very friendly and accommodating staff.

If you are looking for luxury, this isn't it. If you want a clean, friendly, cool beach hotel---STAY HERE!