Hoteliers Jon Blanchard and Nicolo Rusconi of BLVD Hospitality, in partnership with ESI Ventures, have relaunched Santa Monica’s iconic hotel, The Georgian. Perched above the Santa Monica waterfront on Ocean Ave., The Georgian has been a fixture of the Southern California coastline since its debut in 1933 and has reopened to the public.
Steeped in the history of old Hollywood, the famed Art Deco property has seen several iterations over the years, with regular guests including Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe and First Mother Rose Kennedy. The hotel’s opening coincided with the start of the golden age of hospitality and was the dream of renowned Californian hotelier, Mrs. Rosamond Borde, who commissioned celebrated architect Mr. M. Eugene Durfee to design a hotel of grand proportions. Dramatic in appearance but with a cozy, intimate feel, the landmark property has been lovingly restored to its former glory.
A destination where global culture intersects with Californian charm, The Georgian has been carefully restored by Blanchard and Rusconi through the eye of leading interior architecture and design firm, Fettle, with architecture by HLW, alongside branding and experience company Corso Marketing Group. Maintaining the original concept’s striking features and presence throughout, complemented by thoughtful design, the property offers 84 keys—with 56 classic rooms and 28 one-bedroom suites—with ocean views. The general contractor was BCCI.
Overlooking the California coastline, the building’s turquoise facade has pride of place on Ocean Ave., where the architecturally stunning property’s timeless elegance and historic significance are on full display. Fettle’s design offers a glimpse into the hotel’s 1930s heyday which underscores its inherent traditional elements.
As guests approach the entrance they are greeted by rows of peach hibiscus and vibrant foliage designed and procured by L.A. nursery Rolling Greens. Whimsical topiaries flank the building’s distinctive navy-striped awning-covered Sunset Terrace. Guests walk upon a Havana Deco-inspired floor as they cross the threshold into The Georgian’s historic lobby. High ceilings accented with custom Art Deco chandeliers and original decorative reliefs welcome travelers to the cinematic entryway, with the visually striking horseshoe-shaped Sunset Bar to the left, and intimate dining room to the right. Seasonal floral installations by L.A.-based French floral artist Jean Pascal decorate the space.
Passing through the lobby and the Wes Anderson-inspired reception, guests can explore The Georgian’s namesake gallery Gallery 33. Beautiful, inspiring and contemporary, this dramatic space has been designed to celebrate the best of culture, the arts and the most unique of gatherings as well as showcasing the work of local, internationally renowned and up-and-coming artists through an evolving program. Gallery 33 will also host specially commissioned exhibitions from historic and cultural institutions and is available to hire for private events, artist dinners and cocktail parties. The space was launched with works by actress Sharon Stone who presents her first show Shedding, a Prelude.
The Writer’s Room offers a private dining space perfect for intimate dinners and in-conversations with high-end AV equipment and room for up to 10 guests seated or 20 guests standing. The Library, which features a curated Hugo Guinness collection, presents a fully-stocked study with books curated by Lee Kaplan of Culver City’s Arcana: Books on the Arts. Modern best sellers and vintage books highlighting the history of art and culture in Los Angeles and Santa Monica and other foundational elements for The Georgian story can be found here. From Joan Didion to Eve Babitz to a private collection of Christopher Isherwood, the literary curation of the library is truly one-of-a-kind.
The 24-hour Gymnasium offers hotel guests fitness equipment including Peloton bikes, a Precor treadmill and Alo Yoga Mats.
Rooms at The Georgian embrace the hotel’s Art Deco heritage, many with views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Pier, stretching out from Santa Catalina Island across to Malibu. Each room, with its original ornate peephole, features fully custom golden-hued arched headboards designed by Fettle and globe-shaped crystal light fixtures. Plush beds are draped in sustainable fine Italian linens by Bellino with accent cushions by Italian textile designer Lisa Corti. Rooms and suites all feature an antique bar cart and Marshall speaker. Custom Georgian-branded diamond knit bathrobes are complemented by vegan R+Co toiletries and industry-leading Harry Josh hair dryers. The Georgian will also offer Alo Moves, which allows guests to complete a selection of yoga tutorials via the in-room television.
Every element of The Georgian creates an extravagant but equally refined stage for a contemporary set of service standards. Suites feature separate bedrooms and large living rooms with pastel-toned couches. Each suite contains thoughtful touches to accent each guest’s stay, including Polaroid cameras to chronicle the visit to Santa Monica on film and Victrola record players to provide the perfect vinyl soundtrack with curated records from California-based Ubiquity Records. The highlight of the suites is the custom-made floor-to-ceiling bar. Brass, with antiqued and backlit textured glass surround, the indulgent amenity has ornate buttons offering a unique “press for” concierge service, delivering everything from champagne and dessert to an antique cart of rare books, directly to the suite door.
On the ground level of the hotel, The Georgian offers a breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant known simply as Restaurant at The Georgian stretching across the Sunset Terrace, Sunset Bar and Dining Room.
Located beneath The Georgian lies The Georgian Room, a historic dinner-only restaurant and piano bar that will reopen for the first time in more than 50 years. This discreet hangout gained a reputation amongst the rich and famous, with guests like Carole Lombard, Clark Gable, “Bugsy” Siegel, and Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle all seeking refuge and a stiff drink within this notoriously exclusive secret. The Georgian Room is now home to a 1918 ebony polished Steinway & Sons piano built into the bar that will be played after the sun goes down.
On the ground floor of The Georgian, a dedicated retail area offers essentials ranging from Salt and Stone deodorant and Dune Suncare to world-class goods including Mason Pearson hair brushes, Frette towels, Harry Josh Pro Tools and objects of indulgence from L.A.-based accessories brand Flora Nero.
BLVD took care throughout The Georgian’s renovation to substantially modernize operations systems to meet today’s hospitality sustainability standards and utilize high-efficiency lighting and plumbing solutions.
The Georgian is also pleased to support the Kind Campaign with a donation that will be applied to each stay upon checkout. Founded by Lauren Paul and Molly Thompson, Kind Campaign is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization that brings awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of girl-against-girl bullying.
