I stayed there for my 21st birthday back in 1978. The location was just excellent. Imagine having the pier, the beach, and Palisades Park right at your front door.

At the time I stayed there, there was a MacDonald's right across the street, an IHOP right around the corner, a Sears right next door, and a supermarket located right down the street.

The room had excellent views of Santa Monica, had a partial view of the beach, and it was right above the Santa Monica Freeway. The room was clean and the staff was nice. There was even a bus route that ran right out in front of the hotel, turned onto Wilshire Blvd., and it traveled through West Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and on into downtown Los Angeles. Also, at that time, there was a Gray Line Tours bus that took you into their bus terminal in downtown Los Angeles to go on any sightseeing tours. (My brother and I took the tour of the movie stars' homes.)

Unfortunately, I have not been to Los Angeles since 1983. Job commitments, periodic unemployment, and financial reasons have prevented me from taking yearly vacations. I also read the recent guest reviews, and now, I'm not so sure that I'll want to stay here again on my next visit. Don't get me wrong now; I just love Santa Monica. But I can't afford to stay at this Holiday Inn. I work part-time as a market research interviewer, and also on Social Security Disability, so therefore, I can't afford to stay at an extravagant hotel. But I do want a place that has a clean room, good service, and a good location as well.

I will keep on checking the guest reviews of the this and the other hotels in Santa Monica, and I will make my decision then. I definitely want to stay in Santa Monica again!

I will continue to check out the other guest reviews of these and other hotels in Santa Monica, and then make my decision.