After LA Fires, The Fairmont Miramar Still Offers Luxury By The Sea

Forbes

26-03-2025

A front view of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, CA. The hotel's iconic fig ... More tree is 80 feet tall and spreads over 120 feet.
The Los Angeles fires destroyed much of the enclave of Pacific Palisades. But the fires spared neighboring Santa Monica, and the beach city and its flagship hotels like the Fairmount Miramar are helping bring tourists back.
If the Fairmont Century Plaza, like the Chateau Marmont or the Hollywood Roosevelt, represents the polished fac of Hollywood, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, CA, is about the coast and relaxation by the sea. The hotel is known for its ocean breezes, low-slung luxurious bungalows, almost tropical demeanor and views of the Santa Monica Mountains. Long popular with celebrities as well, the Miramar is known for its discretion.
The Fairmont Miramar has 297 guest rooms and suites, including 62 suites and 31 luxurious garden bungalows. The hotel is on five walled acres and includes a pool. It feels like an island of calm privacy, steps from the beach, the Santa Monica Pier, the jogging path through Palisades Park and nearby shops, bars, and restaurants.
The Miramar was originally a mansion owned by former U.S. Senator John Percival Jones, who helped found Santa Monica in the 1870s. After going through several iterations, it opened as the 'Hotel Miramar' in 1921.
As the only beachside hotel with the privacy and comfort of the bungalows, the Miramar went on to host celebrities and politicians. Famous Swedish 'I vant to be alone' actress Greta Garbo lived in the historic Palisades Wing for four years. Much of Hollywood followed Garbo, including Jean Harlow, Marilyn Monroe, and Jimmy Stewart.
The hotel's nightclub attracted stars like Humphrey Bogart, Gloria Swanson, Cary Grant and Anthony Quinn throughout Hollywood's Golden Age. The Miramar has also entertained powerful politicians including two U.S. Presidents, John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton. Now a part of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, the hotel still attracts Hollywood celebrities today both as guests and attendees at industry events.
Actor Jeffrey Wright attends the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards - After Party at the Fairmont ... More Miramar - Hotel & Bungalows on February 25, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. Wright was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in AMERICAN FICTION (Photo by)
A famous landmark at the hotel is the 150-year-old Moreton Bay Fig Tree, reportedly planted 150 years ago by Georgina Jones, wife of Senator Jones. The tree, 80 feet tall with a 120-foot network of branches, dominates the hotel driveway. Celebrity Britney Spears has said the tree is one of her favorite places in LA. The tree is also featured on many TV shows such as 'Modern Family.'
The tree has also given its name to the Miramar's outstanding restaurant, FIG. FIG is both a critically lauded dining venue featuring ingredients from local farmers, ranches, fishers, and foragers, and a beloved neighborhood bistro and bar. The restaurant has an acclaimed happy hour, 'FIG at 5,' with fine wine, craft brew, and seasonal house cocktails all 50% off. Available Tuesday–Saturday, you'll have to move quickly, as the happy hour is just an hour, from 5pm to 6pm.
In a nod to the green thumb of Georgina Jones, FIG has an intimate dining area, the Potting Shed, for a group of up to 18. It offers a fireplace and many green plants as part of the décor.
The hotel can handle events of up to 200 people and often has at least one wedding a weekend. The Miramar is also a popular location for small conferences and group meetings.
The hotel is a destination, but also a gateway to Santa Monica and other beach communities. The area around the hotel and the rest of Santa Monica is easily walkable, whether you go over a bridge to the beach or to destinations like the Third Street Promenade. And people watching in nearby Venice, CA, is a sport all its own.
The sign welcoming visitors to the Santa Monica Pier, a recreational pier with a carousel, bumper ... More cars, and shops. Santa Monica, California, USA. (Photo by Visions of America LLC/Corbis via Getty Images)
While the iconic Pacific Coast highway is currently closed to all but residents, Santa Monia is wide open. One destination is the iconic Santa Monica Pier with its world-famous carousel, classic amusement park rides and honky-tonk arcade games. The Pier also marks the end of historic Route 66.
I also highly recommend the 22-mile beach bike path to see Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey and miles of beach. (Although riding on a summer weekend can be crowded.) You don't have to ride all 22 miles and back, of course. There are many bike shops in Santa Monica and Venice where you can pick up a rental for a few hours.
Undoubtedly, the famed Pacific Coast Highway will reopen soon. Visitors will be able to drive up the coast to visit Malibu, enjoy the spectacular drive, gaze at the surfers and marvel at the sunset. The adventurous might even try a surfing lesson, although the first lesson is that the Pacific is COLD.
Many activities in Santa Monica focus on the outdoors, but there are alternatives during the rainy season. During my recent visit, a scheduled bike ride was cancelled by heavy rain.
No problem. We pivoted to a tour of Santa Monica's Bergamot Station. Bergamot is a repurposed train station now home to 20 art galleries, a theater and a restaurant. There were several exhibits by Los Angeles artists, with my favorite being a Raymond Pettibon show of his pioneering graphics for 1980's punk bands like Black Flag.
Guests at a music and art immersive exhibition of The Oeuvre of Leon Oury by composer Charles-Henri ... More Avelange at the Gallery XII, at Bergamot Station Art Center on October 01, 2022 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo byfor Music Composer Charles-Henri Avelange)
Palisades Park, across the street from the Miramar, is usually bustling with people and pets enjoying the ocean views. Even in the rain, my wife and I enjoyed a long walk there overlooking the beach.
There are many alternative indoor activities both at the Miramar and elsewhere in LA for rainy afternoons. Besides the Getty, Los Angeles has museums like the Broad, the LA County Museum of Art, the Museum of Tolerance, and the Academy Museum of film history.
If you choose to tarry at the Miramar, it serves a formal tea with cookies, cucumber and salmon sandwiches every day, with many varieties of aromatic tea. The hotel also has a piano bar to get a tasty drink and while away the evening hours.
In addition to The Fig, the hotel's excellent restaurant, Dogtown Coffee offers a grab and go or sit and schmoose option. Dogtown is a branch of a local coffee shop that pays homage to the 'Dogtown' days of skating and surfing.
For dinner, Soko the sushi bar, led by Sushi Chef Masa Shimakawa of Hokkaido, Japan, is a popular choice. Soko began life as a temporary pop-up for a handful of diners during the COVID days of 2021. It survived, thrived and is now a popular destination sushi spot. Reservations are a must, as they have just 8 seats.
When the sun comes out, the pool is a top destination for hotel guests. But for rainy nights, or if you're simply a movie lover, Revival Hub Los Angeles lists the dozens of classic film screened in L.A.
A view of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows showing the pool, the hotel and the beach at Santa ... More Monica, CA in the distance.
On Saturday March 29, for example, the film feast starts at 11AM with the LITTLE MERMAID at the Academy Museum and ends with REPO MAN at the Vista. In between, other theaters will screen MAD MAX, MULLHOLLAND DRIVE, ET, TO CATCH A THIEF, ROCKY HORROR and even a history of THE AUTOMAT, with the director.
It may be the movie capitol of the world, but that's just one reason to visit Los Angeles. And the Fairmont Miramar makes a relaxing base from which to venture out to see the reviving City of Angels.