Hotel Casa Del Mar

We checked out Catch (a restaurant nearby) at Casa Del Mar during dineLA Restaurant Week 2009 and had the 3 course menu. We were greeted nicely and got a seat with a nice view of the beach. The Chefs were doing their job and turned out a decent appetizer particularly the bacon wrapped figs which had a nice reduction and flavor to it , and really well prepared tender short ribs and crispy chicken over polenta. The desert was also equally pleasing.
What wasn't pleasing was the server. He smelled like cigarette smoke, had a brusque, cold demeanor, like one of those waiters that makes you feel bad if you don't order bottled water. He wasn't attentive to say the least. He maybe said 4 sentences to us. He didn't kill the dinner, he certainly didn't add to the experience. To be fair, the waiter at another table seemed cordial.
What was however stunning was the bill and the charge for the iced tea I had ordered. Six fifty for Iced Tea! That cost more than the Beers we got. What"s their profit margin on that? It can't cost more than 20cents to make that. It just felt like they were trying to squeeze you and trying to pad the bill. Do they charge all soft drinks, coffees etc, like that? if you have a soft drink and a coffee later are you going to get surprised with a 13 dollar charge for that plus tax and tip? That seems ridiculous especially in this current economy.
I actually mentioned it to the manager which I don't normally do. He unapologetically said, that's just what they charge.
Nice dinner, unfortunately made unpleasant as a result.

Really good times

My fiance & I ate here for Valentine's Day and both left there sick as hell. After being told by the waiter we were getting a pound and a half of lobster we decided to order that as part of our prix fixe menu items. The 1st time it came out there were only 5 little peices of lobster and it was raw but the waiter told us that's how they make it there. So the next time it came out it was actually cooked so we ate it but it still didn't taste great. $240 later we got home and both began to feel nausious and then both got violently ill, I'm sure it wasn't spoiled but it was rather caused by the horible combination of items on the prix fixe which incuded a beet carpacio, a nasty cauliflower soup followed by the lobster. There are MUCH better options in LA for seafood, next time we'll stick to I Cugini

The decor, the people, the piano player, the drinks, the view. Super romantic, super chill, super spendy! There is something about being here that makes you feel like you need to spend a ton of cash to fit in, but if you can get past that and enjoy the view and the people watching, it's worth a look and a guaranteed winner date spot.

This bar has amazing views of the ocean. This is a very upscale bar and the prices can prove it. Be prepared to spend a good amount of money on drinks if you want to hang out here. Very low key and relaxing environment. Drinks are about $12 or more depending on what you order.

Location couldn't be better, even the parking wasn't hard to find. I went on a Saturday night and it wasn't very busy. Yet, somehow, the service was very very slow. We waited at least 15 minutes to get our drink order in. The mojitos are great- not too sweet, perfect amount of alcohol.

The bar is a lovely place to sit comfortably and watch the sunset. Nice wine and liquor selection and snacks can be ordered from a brief menu. The cafe serves good food in a nice atmosphere. When I ate there on my own, the staff brought me magazines and treated me royally. I was impressed, since usually I'm treated like a pariah if I dine alone (they assume they'll get a lower tip).

I have been in this gift shop a few times. The clerk is more interested in her phone conversations then helping the guests. She seems very put out when you walk in.

I went to Catch for my first anniversary dinner. It had gotten a great review in the LA Times so I figured it would be wonderful. Well, from the get go it was completely dissapointing. I had asked for a window table and was told no when we arrived and there was clearly one available. Our waiter was BEYOND SLOW, it took 20 minutes to get a drink, alebit a very good drink but I was thirsty! My wild striped bass was average, fresh but not very flavorful however the branzino was very good. Overall, the ambiance was nice however the lack of attentive service was a total downer...given the prices one would hope they would care about their customers a little more, a little too cool for school was the attitude I took away.

i was invited to this restaurant for my birthday and at the beginning it really didn't look like things were working out that night for me, because the restaurant was sold out of several fish dishes.... But, our waiter made our evening by providing us with the most attentive service i have ever had. we were more than compensated for the sold out menu. you should try the watermelon salad, it's a very interesting mix between the cheese, the hearts of palm and the melons...their desserts are fabulous too, probably the best in town. try the meyer lemon tart, it's better than at boule! look out for the tall skinny waiter with black-greyish hair, he is a professional that i have not seen in any high end restaurant in la yet!

I have clients come into town from out of the country and they love it here! I could hang out with them in their rooms all day long and feel like I'm in heaven!

Regardless of how good or bad you thought the service was.....they take a 20% graduity. I left about a 15% tip on my credit card, then all the sudden I was checking my checking account statement and see they charged me more then what I signed for......I don't know, that is just WRONG to me......almost sounds illegal too!!! Sure the food is good......but I really wouldn't go eat there again.

One late night, some years back, I proposed to my wife in this hotel. Every so often I stop-by and reminisce. Great place, great service, great location, great view.

We went to the Casa Del Mar after reading a write up on their high tea service. When we arrived we were told that you have to have at least 24 hr advance reservations, but it doesn't mention this any where on their website, so we wasted a drive to santa monica. I later called to make reservations for the following week & was told that they needed a credit card to secure a reservation & it must be faxed. I do not have a fax & requested an e-mail form instead which took 2 days to be sent to me.
After finally getting my reservation confirmed we were dismally disappointed with their high tea. The bread was stale on the few sandwiches you get, some of the desserts were totally inedible. When we told our waitress that the chocolate cannolli was horrible her response was "yes we get a lot of complaints on that one" It was burnt to a crisp & hard as a rock! No apology or offer of some kind of replacement. And to add insult to injury our waitress added in her own gratuity of almost 20% for a party of 3!!! I can't stress how disappointed we were with the whole experience. Normally I love the food and atmosphere at the casa del mar but I doubt if ever will go back again....

I am not usually a fan of hotel restaurants especially in the city I live in but this is an exception. The wine list is expansive and the food was wonderful. Subtle but distinct flavors and the seven layer carrot cake is to die for.

We really enjoyed the View and most of all the Food. Most of the time we are disappointed with Hotel Food but this is the exception.
Casa Del Mar's restaurant OCEANFRONT is truly a golden find, enjoy!
The Manager is Allan from the GRILL ON THE ALLEY so expect great service.

The moment you walk into this place, you know you're in for a treat, even if it is a bit pricey. Every employee is there to help and they take a great deal of pride in it. The lobby is gorgeous along with the expansive bar which is a popular nightspot, even for non-guests. The rooms are incredible and include gorgeous ocean or pier views. Each room comes complete with a whirpool tub, dvd player and sound system, and an AMAZINGLY comfortable bed!!! There spa facilities are also very nice and the beach is literally right outside the door. If you're really looking for a place to relax, you've found it here.

Luxurious rooms with glorious ocean views, could you ask for anything more?! How about when you add 24 hour room service, some of the best spa services in the country and a comfy yet hip bar where it's not unlikely that you may spot a familiar face from your favorite magazine, movie or television show? Plus, you even get a cute rubber ducky for your jacuzzi tub - see you really couldn't ask for anything more!

Very cool and romantic place...have spent two weekends there this summer and this place is great!

Beautiful bar, upscale, great view of ocean, pricey
Close to everything, walking distance to the Santa Monica pier on the beach.