You probably know Hotel Casa del Mar as an historic luxury hotel on the beach in Santa Monica, California. But, do you know that famous designer Michael S. Smith injects new life into this beachside oasis? He redesigned the hotel’s lobby, introducing striped cabana-style sitting areas in the lobby and coast-themed artwork, among other additions.
Smith also redesigned the hotel’s new restaurant, Terrazza Lounge, which has a menu and style inspired by the Italian coast, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean.
Hotel Casa del Mar has 129 rooms, a curving double staircase, a high coffered ceiling, mosaic tile floors and glowing copper sconces atop mahogany pillars in the lobby. It also has a spa that offers massages, and a fitness center. The Colonnade Ballroom, with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the ocean, seats up to 270 guests. The lobby and pool look out onto the Pacific Ocean.
In June last year, the hotel introduced a new stress management program for guests and other groups, Automatic Integrative Relaxation Response, designed by stress management expert John Sahakian. The program includes yoga, mindfulness and breathing exercises.