Did you know Harrison Ford played the piano? We didn’t either, until he spontaneously decided to go all Chopin on us at the celeb hotspot The Georgian. This isn’t another private club, though. This is a hotel to call home in LA.
Located on Ocean Avenue since 1933, The Georgian is all about the history. This Art Deco gem has watched Santa Monica grow up – and after a sharp-eyed restoration by BLVD Hospitality and Fettle Design, it’s back as a bold, design-forward escape with vintage soul.
The Vibe
Think Wes Anderson meets Old Hollywood with a dash of Havana. The Georgian’s turquoise façade still turns heads, but inside, it’s all emerald quartzite, mohair banquettes, globe crystal fixtures and brass accents that glow like jewelry. Fettle Design’s restoration leans into its 1930s bones, creating a space that’s bold, cinematic, and just a little cheeky.
The Sunset Bar curves like a vintage train car, the velvet-draped reception desk adds speakeasy drama, and even the florals are curated — peach hibiscus by LA artist Jean Pascal. Upstairs, the Writer’s Room features Hugo Guinness art and a library stocked with Joan Didion, Eve Babitz, and Christopher Isherwood: a quiet nod to LA’s literary soul.
Celebrity Guests
Once upon a time, Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and Rose Kennedy all passed through the Georgian’s doors. At that time, it was the tallest building in town, earning it the nickname “The First Lady of Santa Monica.” These days, it’s less about famous faces and more about cinematic moments: a martini at sunset, piano drifting from the Georgian Room, and the glow of Ocean Avenue stretching toward the sea. Well, that, and Indiana Jones on piano. While The Georgian Room is known for surprise musical guests and strictly prohibits photography and phone use, some stories slip through.
Food + Drink
The Georgian’s culinary program is a love letter to coastal Italy, California produce, and vintage glamour – with just enough irreverence to keep things fun. In other words, you’re spoiled for choice.
Sirena: Perched above Ocean Avenue, Sirena is the hotel’s all-day restaurant. It opens with sunrise espresso and closes with candlelit spuntini. Expect dishes like grilled dorade, rigatoni alla vodka, and branzino with fennel and citrus. Easy, breezy, elegant, and always kissed by Pacific light.
The Georgian Room: Downstairs, things get sultry. This speakeasy-style Italian steakhouse is all velvet booths, racing green leather, and a 1918 ebony Steinway piano built into the quartzite-topped bar. The menu is unapologetically indulgent: 48oz dry-aged tomahawk ribeye, doppio ravioli, and veal parmigiana sourced from Pat LaFrieda meats. The wine list is curated by Kristin Olszewski and includes rare allocations from Bartolo Mascarello and Emidio Pepe. Decadent, moody, and made for lingering.
Spaghetti Sundays: A prix fixe dinner that begins with garlic bread and Caesar salad, followed by spaghetti in red sauce and your choice of mains — chicken parm, eggplant parm, branzino, or New York strip. Dessert is a toss-up between warm cookies, brownies with gelato, or soft serve. Nostalgic Italian-American.
Rates
The Georgian is timeless. The restoration didn’t chase novelty – it honored legacy, which is particularly valuable in the city that often bulldozes its past. Rates reflect that reverence too — expect to pay between $500 and $1,200 per night, depending on season and room type.
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FAQs
Q: Which celebrity guests have visited The Georgian?
A: Most recently, Harrison Ford was not only seen visiting The Georgian, but rumor has it, he played piano in the lobby. Historically, Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and Rose Kennedy all passed through the Georgian’s doors.
Q: Where is The Georgian located?
A: The Georgian Hotel sits on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California. It’s been turning heads since 1933 with its iconic turquoise façade and Art Deco charm.
Q:How much does it cost to stay at The Georgian?
A: Rates at The Georgian vary depending on season and room type, but expect prices to range from around $500 to $1,200 per night.
