Arrived at about 11pm after a long flight and had booked in say 5 months prior for 2 nights. Unfortunately we were put in a Smokers Room on Level 2 right by an air con thing that was like a 747 Jet Turbine.(Room 259) This was quite poor considering the time booked ahead and non smoker requested. went to reception and was told the place was full but no explanation given as to why we were placed in this room other than being told by Reception Guy "it was the last one left" ? So no consideration given here but requested replacement room which was only made available the next day.
I do have a question for the hotel manager about this issue that needs to be addressed.
Staff ok and new room on Level 4 was what we had requested . However we should have been there is the 1st place I would have thought. So we got a bad deal for one night.

Arriving in Santa Monica late afternoon without having booked any accommodation prior, I found Hotel Carmel around the corner from the shopping mall & main shopping precinct, one block from the beach, and less than 5 minutes walk from Santa Monica Pier - the perfect location! I thought I'd stay just one night and, if needed, find somewhere else the following day. I usually stay in 4 or 5 star accommodation so Carmel was a little different, but perfectly fine. The room was spanish style with heavy timber furniture, clean, with a renovated bathroom. The front staff were helpful and friendly. Breakfast is unique, in that it's served in the lobby - its really quite quaint sitting there amongst a few timber tables or in the lounge chairs provided, reading the morning paper. Complimentary breakfast comprising trays of fresh croissants, pastries and muffins are topped up continuously between 6:00am and 10:00am. Fresh coffee, a range of teas, and orange juice is provided. You'll have to use disposable cups and plates - but the food is good, if you like a sweet breakfast. If you'd rather something more substantial, there are several other cost effective breakfast options just around the corner from the hotel.
Because of the central location primarily, I stayed 6 days in all. I didn't feel the need to go elsewhere - I was out all day and all I needed was a comfy bed to sleep in at night. Hotel Carmel suited my needs.
The only negatives I could mention are the following -
1. If you have a lower floor, the view from the window could be terrible - you'll need to keep your blinds almost closed because they look out directly onto large unattractive machinery (airconditioning / generators?) A higher floor would be a better option.
2. The airconditioning is very noisy at night, even if you have your own room unit off. Its a low continuous drone, but it was possible for me to sleep through easily. Again a higher floor would create some space away from the generators.
There's a great Japanese/Asian fusion restaurant next door, taxi stands and buses around the corner. If the hotel driver is available, definitely use him - he is very professional, cost effective and drives an immaculate vehicle. (I'm not sure if there is more than one driver available or not.)
If you're planning to be out most of the day Hotel Carmel is perfectly fine and well priced. The shops are open until 10pm, the pier has late night activities, there are dozens of restaurants and several cinemas nearby, plus tours available. If you're wanting a 4 or 5 star hotel with all the extra trimmings you may want to look elsewhere but you'll also pay a lot more!
Many thanks to the Hotel Carmel for a very pleasant stay!

Other then the location, (a block from the beach, pier and shopping), this hotel does not have much going for it. Not only was it incrediably overpriced, but the entire hotel was dark and deary, especially the rooms. In my room, the air conditoner barely worked, the overhead fan would switch between low and high without me touching the dial, and in the middle of the night, the overhead light would come on and off. It was very nosey. The room was small, there were barely any outlets for me to use to charge my cell phone, laptop and camera. The valey and people working at the front desk were not helpful and not friendly. Parking is $14 a day and internet acess is $10 a day, but if you go around the corner you can park for $5 a day and get free wifi.. The drain in the shower was clogged. And, the brekfast was limited and tasted bad.

We stayed at the hotel 17/6-23/6 in two diffrent rooms. Me- my wife and daughter and boyfriend. The location was just about perfect. One block from the sea and one block from shopping street, 3rd promenad. The rooms where large and the beds where very comfortable. I absolutly not agree that the madresses where old and bad. I am very tall and "wide" and sleept very good so did my wife. Housekeeping was very good and the frontdesk as well. The Hotel don´t have self parking only valet but they were very service minded. Over all I do recommend this place. I don´t understand how one can complain about the breakfast when it is complimentary? We where on a trip from New York to LA to Las Vegas to San Diego and this hotel was the only one that offered anything for breakfast. You can´t excpect a 4-5 star hotel for the price of a 2,5 one.

Party of Isaksson /Sweden