The hotel�s new look includes redecoration of the building exterior, hotel entrance, lobby, Ocean Café, lobby bar and all 340 guestrooms with help from Santa Monica-based Hirsch Bedner interior design company.

The renovation of all public areas is complete and guestrooms will be finished in the first quarter of 2001. The hotel remained open during construction in the public areas and systematic planning during guest room redesign � which begins in October � will insure minimal guest disturbance. 

�With our entertainment-based clientele, we want to offer a �home - away - from - home� atmosphere and bring a fresh look to the beach,� said Clairmont. �The contemporary California casual ambiance we�ve created gives guests a comfortable place to conduct business or escape from work for a few days.�

The breezy updated design features 45-foot palm trees inside the four-story atrium lobby with flowing fabric draped from the ceiling. Seating areas are composed of comfortable sofas arranged to accommodate a quick side meeting or an afternoon cocktail.

Complementing the hotel�s vibrant look is the new exterior color scheme of continental cream-yellow with random blue awnings. Guests now enter the circular drive and are welcomed by a soothing fountain in the center surrounded by fresh flowers of the season. The porte cochere will be replaced with a grand yellow canvas awning over a brushed aluminum revolving door flanked by two sets of double doors. 

The recently opened Papillon lobby bar and fireside lounge, replacing the Ocean Café, faces the ocean and pool. Guests can unwind over aperitifs, small tapas-style dishes and afternoon tea amidst panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows. Papillon will serve as the setting for the hotel�s �Visiting Artist Series� scheduled to resume July 23rd, offering visitors an eclectic array of up-close-and-personal performances one Sunday each month.
Refurbishment of the pool deck includes new chaise lounges, more palm trees and removal of the pool�s glass dome, creating an open space for sunning and drawing the ocean and sky seemingly closer.

Guestrooms will receive a dramatic facelift with new drapes, wall coverings, furniture and bedding in warm, residential tones, mirroring the hotel�s fresh spirit.  Staying at the forefront of guest conveniences, guestrooms are �workspace friendly,� outfitted with contemporary executive desks, floor lamps, artwork and 90-channel televisions with Internet capabilities. 

Lavande, the hotel�s award-winning restaurant, continues to please the palette with California-Mediterranean cuisine created by Executive Chef Yves Bainier. Serving breakfast, Sunday brunch, lunch and dinner, the restaurant offers ocean views and the option to dine al fresco on a garden patio. 

Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa�located inside the hotel�offers complimentary fitness, steam and sauna facilities for hotel guests in addition to massage therapy, numerous body treatments and salon services.

Keeping in step with Loews Hotels� Good Neighbor Policy, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel donated previously used furniture from the hotel�s redecoration to the parents� and teachers� lounges at John Muir Grade School, Santa Monica.

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel is owned by Strategic Hotel Capital, a privately held firm founded in 1997 which targets upscale and luxury hotels on a global basis for acquisition.  Since its inception, SHC has assembled a portfolio of properties in the United States, Mexico and Europe including the Essex House, a Westin Hotel, New York City; The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, California; the Hyatt Regency New Orleans; the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero and the Park Hyatt, both in San Francisco; the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.; the Marriott Champs Elysees in Paris and the Four Seasons, Mexico City.  SHC (www.shci.com) is a privately held limited liability company whose shareholders include the Whitehall Partnerships and Prudential Insurance Company of America.

Loews Hotels currently owns and/or operates 15 hotels and resorts in the U.S. and Canada.