The Best Western Gateway Hotel is centrally located to the beach & 3rd St. promenade just 1 mile away and the Getty Center is just five miles away.
We are a Non-Smoking property with complimentary parking, shuttle to the beach/3rd Street Promenade, complimentary wireless access with own laptop, complimentary computer station with internet access in the lobby, 24 hour fitness room, meeting and catering facilities, and the IHOP restaurant is open 6:30a-10pm daily.
All of the guest rooms are non-smoking and come with refrigerator, hair dryer, iron/ironing board, coffee/tea maker with complimentary Wolfgang Puck’s coffee, complimentary wireless internet for your laptop, free HBO, free local calls under 30 minutes, movies-on-demand, Nintendo GameCube and 32" Flat Panel TV.
Other area attractions, such as Rodeo Drive, Melrose Avenue, Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Strip, Mann’s Chinese Theater, Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure Park, Knott’s Berry Farm, Magic Mountain and Queen Mary, are just a 15 – 60 minute drive from the hotel.
Star Rating:
Local Attractions:
1 mile from the Santa Monica Beach, 3rd Street Promenade
May 13, 2013
Regina M, Union City, California, Usa | Trip type: Friends getaway
I recently stayed at this hotel with my two sister-in-laws for a quick weekend getaway. We stayed for one night. The facility is clean, and the room was average. We...
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I recently stayed at this hotel with my two sister-in-laws for a quick weekend getaway. We stayed for one night. The facility is clean, and the room was average. We had two queen size beds in our room. I would call this a no frills hotel. There isn't even a pool or hot tub.
When you arrive, you will see the IHOP sign on the side of the building is more visible than the Best Western sign.
Parking is included with your stay at the underground parking garage beneath the hotel and IHOP. We were driving a 4-door sedan, so the low clearance wasn't an issue for us.
One strange thing to note - the room numbers are in no particular order. It took us a few minutes to locate our room.
Staff was friendly and accommodating when we asked for more towels to be sent up - they brought far more than we needed.
I would only stay at this hotel if I had a car, because there is nothing within walking distance of this location (with the exception of the IHOP downstairs). It isn't too far from the 3rd Street Promenade, but far enough that I wouldn't want to be on foot.
We stayed here because my sister-in-laws wanted to stay in Santa Monica and this was the best deal we were able to find. « less
“Friendly service and affordable rates”
May 7, 2013
JaneHPM, Santa Cruz, California | Trip type: Family
The property is not in the heart of the hustle bustle but within walking distance in sensible shoes and an easy taxi trip to the downtown main street of Santa...
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The property is not in the heart of the hustle bustle but within walking distance in sensible shoes and an easy taxi trip to the downtown main street of Santa Monica which is very vibrant on weekend evenings. The IHOP next door doing room service was very convenient and fast for breakfast. The rooms were a fair size and the cleaning staff efficient. There is a small sun deck on top of the property which is quite pleasant and protected from the wind. Parking is provided which was an added bonus. The spaces were a bit tight but we were driving a large SUV but manageable. We got a special rate through an annual Water Polo tournament event and that made the rate very good for the area. « less
“Family holiday”
May 7, 2013
quinnd69, Surfers Paradise, Australia | Trip type: Family
We are a family of 7 - 4 adults and 3 kids aged 13,11,9yrs and travelled to USA for a family holiday. We had 3 nights and chose to stay...
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We are a family of 7 - 4 adults and 3 kids aged 13,11,9yrs and travelled to USA for a family holiday. We had 3 nights and chose to stay in Santa Monica because LA area is huge and without a car, difficult to get around. Plus Paradise Pier & 3rd St Promenade gave us somewhere to go after dark with kids. We chose BW Plus Gateway for it's value for money. It is 20 blocks from the beach but has a free shuttle service which needs to be booked with reception and has a limited schedule. Otherwise you can pay alot more and stay closer to the beach. In our case the weather was cold and not swimming weather when we stayed so would have been a waste of money. A better and cheaper option is to stay BW Plus Gateway and use the Big Blue Bus. The bus stop is outside the hotel and at US$4 day pass was good value. We found most taxis in LA can only cater for 6 pax. The IHOP next door was excellent value for money with huge servings. Aussies will find them massive compared to what we get at home, so would suggest you share. Overall the hotel is nice with friendly staff and if you don't mind being a distance from the Pier, is excellent value for money. « less
“Museum Trip”
Apr 29, 2013
William M, Temecula, California | Trip type: Couples
We stayed at the BW+ Santa Monica because it was central to many museums that we wanted to see including the Getty Villa, Getty Center, Petersen Auto Museum and all...
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We stayed at the BW+ Santa Monica because it was central to many museums that we wanted to see including the Getty Villa, Getty Center, Petersen Auto Museum and all the way to Simi Valley to the Reagan Library. We spent an evening at the SM Pier because it was so close. There is a free hourly shuttle to the shopping area (with TONS of restaurants); and the pier is just beyond that. BUT, our room was on the main floor and it was noisy. Next time, we would stay higher up. Free parking was nice, too. « less
“Decent Location and Adequate”
Apr 26, 2013
AlabamaDave, Blount County, Alabama | Trip type: Family
My family stayed at this hotel during Spring Break when we visited the Los Angeles area. If you're looking for luxury and frills, this is not your place. But if...
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My family stayed at this hotel during Spring Break when we visited the Los Angeles area. If you're looking for luxury and frills, this is not your place. But if you just need a place to sleep when you get back from exploring L.A., this is an affordable hotel in a good location. Our first evening in L.A., we drove from the hotel down to the beach and spent a half hour or so, and then made our way to Sunset Blvd. and took a very interesting drive through the famous communities of Bel Air, Beverly Hills, and Hollywood on our way to the Griffith Park Observatory. We had time to do all of those things (on a Saturday) even with a late start. I'm a runner and enjoyed being only 20 blocks from the beach and easily able to run down to Venice Beach and along the Santa Monica Pier. There's an IHOP in the hotel, which is convenient for a quick breakfast before heading out. The place looks a little lost in the 70's, though, so if fancy decor is high on your priority list, you may not be happy here! Parking is expensive, but I'm sure that's typical of any hotel in a major city in California. « less
These reviews are the subjective opinions of individual travelers and not of TripAdvisor LLC nor of its partners.
2 Queen Beds Non-Smoking
Two queen beds with pillowtop mattresses. Complimentary wireless Internet access. Desk, armoire, armchair with ottoman. Compact refrigerator. Coffeemaker with Wolfgang Puck coffee. Bathroom with granite countertop, shower/tub combination. Cable TV with HBO, video games (surcharge), pay movies. Free local calls (under 30 minutes).
1 King Bed Non-Smoking
One king bed with pillowtop mattress. Complimentary wireless Internet access. Desk, armoire, armchair with ottoman. Compact refrigerator. Coffeemaker with Wolfgang Puck coffee. Bathroom with granite countertop, shower/tub combination. Cable TV with HBO, video games (surcharge), pay movies. Free local calls (under 30 minutes).
Amenities - Best Western Gateway Hotel
Air conditioning
Alarm clock
Baggage storage facilities
Central location
Complimentary newspaper
Conference facilities
Credit card accepted: Mastercard/Visa
Credit card accepted: American Express
Credit card accepted: Discover
Credit card accepted: Diners Club
Credit card accepted: JCB
Dinner available
Electronic key card
Elevator
Facilities for the disabled
Fax available
Fitness and health centre
Free local calls
Garage
Hairdryer available
Handicap accessible
Ice Maker
Internet - wireless
Internet - ethernet
Ironing facilities
Movies in room
Non-smoking rooms
24 hours opened
Office or business center
Private bathroom in room
Private car parking
Radio in room
Refrigerator
Restaurant
Safe in rooms
Self controlled heating/cooling system
Shower
Tea and coffee making facilities
Telephone in all rooms
Television
Travellers cheques accepted
Voicemail
Pet Friendly?
Sorry, pets are not allowed.
Airport & Shuttle Information - Best Western Gateway Hotel
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is 8 miles from the hotel. Shuttle service is NOT provided by the hotel but the cost ranges from $16-$20 for a shuttle and a taxi $35-$40.
Airport Shuttle? Sorry, no airport shuttle available.
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Based on 394 traveler reviews 
Value
Rooms
“Staying in Santa Monica on a budget”
2 Queen Beds Non-Smoking
1 King Bed Non-Smoking