Viceroy, Santa Monica, Los Angeles

With views of either the ocean, the pool or the palms, each guest room oozes style and sophistication, benefiting from Kelly Wearstler-designed interiors, Italian linens, oversized showers, CD, DVD players and flat-screen televisions.

Relax and soak up the Californian sun by the hotel’s refreshing pool or on the nearby beach, indulge in an in-room or poolside spa treatment, explore the fabulous array of shops and restaurants at Santa Monica’s vibrant Third Street Promenade (an open-air pedestrian street just a short walk away) – or perhaps wander or rollerblade along the ocean front boardwalk, which stretches south to Venice Beach, and enjoy the best of beachfront living – L.A. style!

The hotel’s acclaimed restaurant, Cast, serves modern American cuisine with a sophisticated twist, whilst the intimate and decidedly chic Cameo Bar is an evening hot-spot – try the Key Lime and Raspberry Lemon Drop martinis!

Santa Monica is about a 20 minute drive from Los Angeles airport – and a 30 minute drive from Beverly Hills and Hollywood. For those looking for a stylish stopover en-route to New Zealand or the South Seas, the Viceroy is hard to beat!