The Penthouse At Huntley Santa Monica Beach

My brother and I took our mom out to celebrate her birthday last week and chose The Penthouse Huntley Hotel, arriving early to secure a window booth. We planned to enjoy some wine with dinner, but many options in the $50-$80 range were unfamiliar to me since I usually prefer Italian wines. To find something suitable, I asked our server for her recommendation on a French Pinot Noir priced at $50, which was the first wine listed in that category. I pointed it out to her, and she replied that she had never tasted it but that the sommelier had just added it to the list and loved it. I thought that sounded great and ordered a bottle. When the server brought the bottle to our table, she struggled to open it—so much so that I almost offered to help. Once she poured the wine, I found it delicious, and we proceeded with our meal. The food was average—nothing special—and the dessert we ordered was also disappointing, especially considering they have a dedicated pastry chef. I felt like I could have made any of the desserts at home. When it was time for the bill, I was shocked to see it was nearly $500 for three people! As I scanned the itemized list, I quickly discovered the issue: the wine was charged at $205! The wine list was left on our table, and when I opened it, I realized that the server had mistakenly brought a different vintage from the same winery, which was directly below the bottle I had ordered. How convenient. Horrified by the mistake, I approached the server, who said she would talk to the manager. The manager shuffled over to our table, beads of sweat already on his forehead, and apologized for the confusion, offering to remove some food from the bill. I appreciated the gesture but insisted that he remove the $205 wine I didn't order instead. I was fine paying the $50 for the correct bottle. This led to a frustrating back-and-forth where the server falsely claimed I had pointed to the $205 bottle twice. Finally, the manager asked, "Should I call the police?" To which I replied, "Go right ahead." Twenty minutes later, four Santa Monica police officers arrived. I explained the situation, and they sympathized with me but informed me that I would have to pay the negotiated price for the wine or face arrest. My husband has worked in the restaurant industry for 25 years, and we've never experienced anything like this before. The establishment is poorly run, and the management is even worse. With wine prices predominantly over $150, training servers to understand what they’re serving is essential, including knowing how to open a wine bottle properly. Ultimately, I paid the negotiated price and avoided arrest, but this will be an unforgettable experience. What started as a birthday celebration for my mom turned into a nightmare thanks to the staff at The Penthouse Huntley Hotel. I understand that times are tough economically, but scamming customers is not an appropriate solution.

With its awe-inspiring sweeping 360-degree views of the Santa Monica California shoreline, its lavishly-appointed ultra chic beachy motif, and fine contemporary American culinary treats crafted and meticulously presented by Executive Chef Seth Greenburg, The Penthouse Restaurant Lounge has evolved into one of the city’s most loved destinations for charming and romancing locals and those from afar in a trendy and seductively inviting atmosphere. Located on the eighteenth top floor of the sophisticated 240-room Huntley Hotel in beautiful Santa Monica, California, The Penthouse offers patrons expansive shoreline views from the venue’s innumerable windows providing views from the coast of Malibu to the shores of Palos Verdes on a clear day. There’s no better way to get to The Penthouse than taking a ride in the glass-enclosed elevator, which showcases the waterfront and beaches of Santa Monica. Above are a few photos of the incredible view before reaching the top floor. Innovative imagination and superior technique was provided in the conception of The Penthouse, as well as the entire Huntley Hotel), by ingenious award-winning designer, Thomas Schoos. You may recall his contribution in design to such hot spot locales as TAO in New York, Koi in Los Angeles, O-Bar in West Hollywood, and the LAX Nightclub in Las Vegas…just to mention a few. His vision of simple luxury and creative insight in everything he touches allows others to appreciate his works of art. The restaurant and lounge features various inviting areas of luxurious comfort to appease just about anyone who enters this magnificent abode of heavenly adornment. From dining in one of the several semi-private intimate ‘cabanas’ to enjoying a classic cocktail in one of the plush leather chairs fireside to indulging in creative fare while sitting at the lavish ‘center-of-attention’ ultra bar, the outdoor elements are intertwined with modern touches inside in so many ways. INSIDER’S TIP: Enjoy a breathtaking view by arriving before sunset. The skyline will astonish you, while the fading day’s light will welcome a romantic and sexy vibe as candles are lit and the evening brings on a swanky, sexy vibe. We regretted not having the opportunity to meet Resident Mixologist, Ryan Magarian, but we were thoroughly entertained and well taken care of by our bartender, Mike. The hand-shaken featured cocktail of the evening when we visited was the Veev Acai Spirit with Cucumber Honey Lemonade $7). We each indulged in one of these flavorful concoctions at The Penthouse’s sizable luxurious circular bar and almost in unison, we ordered a second round once we were halfway finished with our first. Not over lemony, and just the perfect blend of spirit and cucumber flavor topped off with a light finish of honey. Refreshing and light-tasting, this libation was definitely worthy of a second round. Since we didn’t have a lot of time to delight in the menu, we were meeting friends in the area), we decided to try a couple of appetizers from the Sunset Hour menu. Executive Chef Seth Greenburg’s culinary expertise is evident throughout each taste of creative genius on the menu with unique options and detailed presentation. We only wished we had more time to try more of them while we were there! Our second round of cocktails appeared before us, and we selected the Warm Goat’s Cheese Poppers and two versions of the Short Rib Tacos… I must admit that anything with goat’s cheese usually fast becomes a favorite of mine. As a lover of this creamy, tangy-flavored cheese, I knew that these would be enjoyable. I expected a lot. And that was delivered to us. We were presented with a plate of excellently arranged deep-fried orbs of perfection. Crisp on the outside and warm and creamy on the inside with tiny pieces of jalapeno pepper mixed into the cheese. The light crunch of each popper delivered immediate satisfaction, while the smooth flavorful centers introduced a sensational essence to our taste buds for just $7 an order. After sharing an order of the Warm Goat’s Cheese poppers, my husband and I each got an order of the Short Rib Tacos $7). My husband’s had no relish on his, as he tries to avoid spicier foods and garnishes. I, on the other hand, love spicy cuisine, so I ordered mine with the apple-jalapeno relish that comes with them. Served two tacos to an order, these hearty mini hors d’ oeuvres arrived with tender and savory-to-the-last-bite saucy short rib meat encased in crunchy house made taco shells. Guacamole and spicy salsa added, these tasty gems were worth waiting for. Though enjoyable while we were there, we really wished we could have stayed a bit longer to sample more of the menu items available. We plan to return to The Penthouse for drinks and dinner to experience the full display of Executive Chef Greenburg’s culinary excellence in the future. ESTABLISHMENT DECOR: The beach-chic decor and upscale sophisticated flair of this establishment allows for a relaxed ambiance perfectly suited for enjoying a bite at the bar, cocktails or a full meal. FOOD DRINK: Fresh flavors and vibrant presentation are combined to craft memorable appetizers, while cocktails are hand shaken in front of you and and created with quality ingredients making for a winning combination between the two. LOCATION: The Penthouse Restaurant Lounge is located on the 18th floor at the top of the Huntley Hotel at 1111 Second Street in Santa Monica, CA 90403. HOURS: The Penthouse is available for Breakfast from 7 AM – 11 AM daily, Lunch from 11 AM – 3 PM daily, Dinner from 6 PM – 10 PM Sunday through Thursday then again from 6 PM – 11 PM Friday and Saturday, a Late Night menu is available until 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, Brunch is served 11 AM – 2:30 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, and finally, Happy hour is offered from 4 PM – 7 PM Monday through Friday. SERVICE STAFF: We felt appreciated by our hostess, our bartender and other staff during our visit to The Penthouse. PRICE VALUE: We enjoyed the quality ingredients that were infused into the appetizers we ordered, as well as our cocktails and feel satisfied with the price for the value of what we received. CORKAGE FEE: $25 per bottle CONTACT INFO: Phone: 310) 393-8080, Website: [hidden link] PARKING: Huntley House hotel offers valet service, however, there is also metered parking as well in front of the property and along nearby side streets. TOTAL BILL: Just over $50 including tax) for four featured cocktails, an order of Warm Goat’s Cheese Poppers, and two orders of the Short Rib Tacos was just perfect for us before leaving to meet friends!

Take the elevator up to the penthouse and step into a stylish space that feels reminiscent of a James Bond movie. The venue has been recently renovated, but it still carries a slightly worn vibe. The bright white decor is striking, though it may not be the most practical choice to keep up. I enjoyed a few drinks and some forgettable hors d'oeuvres—so lackluster that they haven’t left an impression on me. On a positive note, I did find myself envious of the tables on the north side of the building that had lovely tents. Still, it wasn't enough to make me want to return.

However, I want to caution anyone booking through third-party websites like Priceline to be careful about the parking situation. When we made our reservation, the site indicated that parking was free. Yet, upon checking in, the valet staff informed us that there is no complimentary parking; it costs $55 per night. While this is quite expensive, we opted to pay it since finding street parking was difficult and would have required walking with our luggage to the hotel. Just be aware of this parking fee. As for the rooms, they were fantastic, offering beautiful beach views and a very pleasant atmosphere. The suite was high-tech, featuring switches to control all the lights and even a doorbell. It also had a privacy switch instead of just relying on the "do not disturb" sign on the door, and it came equipped with Chromecast. The rooms were well-decorated and well-maintained. Do note that food in the suite comes at an extra charge, and there is also a fee for using the bathrobe. Unfortunately, breakfast is not included. Overall, it was a really enjoyable stay at this upscale hotel with stunning views, conveniently located close to the beach.

We stayed here during our 8-day vacation, and it was fantastic! The location was perfect, just a block from the beach. From our room, we had an amazing view of both the beach and the beautiful city. I can't say enough about the spacious rooms. The housekeeping staff was outstanding—they always cleaned our room early every day! A huge thanks to them! The concierge, especially Mario, was incredibly helpful throughout our stay. Lastly, if you're in the area, don't miss The Penthouse restaurant upstairs! The food and drinks were absolutely incredible!