Santa Monica Hotels Gear Up for VIP Guests During Global Events

As major events like the World Cup and Olympics come to LA, Santa Monica's beachfront hotels are competing for high-end travelers.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:10pm

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With a series of global events like the FIFA World Cup, Olympics, and major music festivals coming to Los Angeles in the next few years, Santa Monica's beachfront hotels are locked in a battle to attract VIP guests. The hotels are offering luxurious suites with amenities like private pools, butler service, and unobstructed ocean views to cater to the influx of high-end travelers expected to visit the area.

Why it matters

Santa Monica's prime location on the California coast makes it an attractive destination for major events, but the influx of VIP guests will put the city's hotel industry to the test. The competition for these lucrative bookings could reshape the local hospitality landscape and set a new standard for luxury beach accommodations.

The details

Several Santa Monica hotels are unveiling lavish new suites to attract VIP guests during upcoming events. The Regent Santa Monica Beach has a 3,200-square-foot Santa Monica Suite with a billiards table, multiple living and dining spaces, and panoramic ocean views. The Malibu Sunset Suite at the same hotel offers 1,920 square feet of space, a firepit balcony overlooking the Santa Monica Pier, and a marble kitchen and dining area. Other hotels like Shutters on the Beach, Casa del Mar, and Fairmont Miramar are also debuting high-end accommodations with features like private pools, spa tubs, and direct beach access.

  • The FIFA World Cup will arrive in Los Angeles this summer, bringing a Michelob ULTRA Pitchside Club takeover to the Santa Monica Pier.
  • In the fall, Goldenvoice will launch a major new beachfront music festival adjacent to the Pier, with plans to draw 35,000 fans annually through 2028.
  • An ESPN fan festival is scheduled for 2027.
  • The 2028 Summer Olympics will transform the Annenberg Community Beach House into Club France, the official hospitality hub for the French Olympic delegation.

The players

Regent Santa Monica Beach

A luxury hotel that recently underwent a $150 million renovation, reducing the number of rooms to 167 and adding high-end suites like the 3,200-square-foot Santa Monica Suite and the 1,920-square-foot Malibu Sunset Suite.

Shutters on the Beach

A beachfront hotel offering a 1,300-square-foot Beach House Suite with oceanfront views, two fireplaces, and multiple balconies.

Casa del Mar

A hotel with top-floor Penthouse Suites converted from 1920s racquetball courts, measuring up to 1,800 square feet with direct water views and hydrothermal spa tubs.

Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows

A hotel with a 2,500-square-foot Bungalow One, a three-bedroom, three-and-three-quarter-bath beach house located under palm trees by the pool.

Goldenvoice

The company behind the Coachella music festival, which is launching a major new beachfront music festival adjacent to the Santa Monica Pier starting in the fall.

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What they’re saying

“Call it the beach suite wars. In Los Angeles, the beach hotels along Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica are gearing up for a once-in-a-generation run with a cascade of global events that will test just how luxurious a seaside stay can get.”

— David Hochman, Author

What’s next

As the global events continue to be announced and planned, Santa Monica's hotels will likely unveil additional high-end suites and amenities to attract VIP guests. The competition for these lucrative bookings is expected to intensify in the lead-up to the 2028 Olympics.

The takeaway

Santa Monica's beachfront hotels are investing heavily in luxury accommodations to cater to the influx of VIP guests expected during major events like the World Cup and Olympics. This battle for the top-tier travelers could redefine the standard for upscale beach vacations in the Los Angeles area.