The Venice Beach House

I hate to post a negative review, but my experience at this hotel was unfortunate and I thought other would-​be travelers should be advised.
Yes, as past reviewers have noted, the grounds are lovely, and the hotel is just a few steps from the beach. But the rooms in this historic old building are desperately in need of renovation and a deep cleaning.
In our room, we encountered: a carpet so stained and filthy, I wore shoes INSIDE; mismatched dusty old furnishings that looked like they should have been donated to a thrift store, if they’d take them; corroded old fixtures; wallpaper that had turned gray with age and dust.
I have to say that I feel sympathy for hotel owners — it can’t be easy maintaining these places. However, when I see burned-​out lightbulbs in a rusty old fixture that could be easily replaced with a $ 30 one from Lowe’s, I believe the problem isn’t so much lack of funds as lack of care and elbow grease.
On the plus side, the sheets and towels were clean (which kept my husband I from running screaming off into the night), indicating that this is less a problem with housecleaning and more a problem with inattentive owners who either can’t afford the upkeep or want to coast on their location.
I booked this room based on positive reviews. I feel obliged to alert other travelers about the sorry state of this hotel.

Hôtel splendide, calme, à deux pas de la plage. Les chambres ainsi que la salle d’eaux (commune) sont très propres.
Personnel accueillant, je recommande! Nous avons passé une semaine de rêve!

I freakin’ LOVE the city of Venice! Both in Italy and in good ‘ol California. Though, I may have a bigger space in my heart for Venice Beach. There is just something so wonderful about it… the vibe, the COLORS, and the people can be so interesting, frightening, wonderful and/​or smelly. It’s up to you how you percieve it.
Anyway…This is where my husband and I like to stay when we want to get away from the suburbs. For the weekend or even just an overnight stay, we love it here. So much that we wanted to possibly rent the whole house for our wedding last year. Sadly, they no longer allow large parties due to noise and the neighbors complaining.
We have stayed in a smaller room (where you have to share a bathroom) and a larger room with a balcony and private bath. Every room has a unique charm about it. Also, they have Victorian clawfoot tubs! SWOON!
The front desk people have always been very accomodating. We brought our own beach cruisers during our last stay, and they allowed us to store them in the garage when we were not using them. Awesomeness!
Breakfast is served from 8−11am in the morning. Snacktime is 3−6pm in the evening. An added bonus, the house always smells like baked cookies. Makes you feel right at home.
Perfectly situated literally a house away (I repeat, a house away!) from the bike path, walkable to many tasty restaurants, and not too far from the craziness and smoky air of the boardwalk. The only con I can think of is that guest parking is not free.
Will continue to have «staycations» here for as long as it’s available. If we ever get a hold of a couple million dollars, we would buy this property in a heartbeat. Love you Venice Beach House!

What a wonderful place! 60’ish grandparents traveling with two teenage grandsons. Being from the Midwest it was their first real beach and palm tree experience. We however travel constantly for our work. Venice Beach House was a perfect place, quiet oasis a half block off the Venice Beach Boardwalk. It’s a throwback and worth the value. Grandson’s were able to come and go while we spent much time in the cozy outdoor seating areas. Had two rooms and ate breakfast every morning here that was freshly made and filling. Other guests came from all around the world and everyone was friendly, sort of a family atmosphere without being really «your own» family. Staff was helpful but not intrusive at all. It was more than expected and would definitely go back.

Punch-​in-​the-​gut rudeness from the staff.
So I just spent upwards of $ 300. Leaving one of my favorite gems in LA. I was out here staying with friends, and I decided I wanted a beach wakeup. I check out pretty close to the bye-​bye time (11:00), but I’m still good at 10:55. I ask the lady at the desk if I can stow my stuff, I want to take a beach ride. I had noticed several bikes in the courtyard of this B&B. We’ve all been to B&Bs before, riiight? When you see bikes in the courtyard, NOT CHAINED, you assume they’re for the paying customers use? But, because I am polite, and love this place so much — I ask the desk clerk — is it okay if I stow my stuff while I do a bike ride (another pretty standard courtesy of hotel culture). I get a few feet into my bike ride and remember that I left my phone in the room. I come back to the Beach House get my phone (mission accomplished) and then I am greeted by this from another staffer in the courtyard ”WHAT ARE YOU DOING” — it couldn’t have been more accusatory, more humiliating. I tried to explain that I had ASKED the desk clerk if it was okay, that it’s typical for B&B’s to have bikes on the property for customers, etc. I was on the defensive, I felt like a prowler. As I walked away from this encounter my anger grew — if you have bikes at a B&B that are off limits, it is your responsibility to put a sign on them, chain them, and IF a customer dares to ride them, to in the most kindly way possible let them know it’s not their fault, but these are someone’s, not the B&Bs. Instead of «WHAT ARE YOU DOING.» And — not being apologetic and sympathetic to a customer’s understandable confusion.
I travel a fair amount, I write for websites about travel, and I used to recommend this place for all the reason’s others on this site I have said.
NEVER AGAIN

Blessings & Namaste,
I wanted to stop back by and update my review because I had a second opportunity to stay at the Venice Beach house this past weekend.
To clarify how this occurred. I purchased 2 separate night stays on Groupon and there are NO refunds. So instead of allowing them to keep my money and have such a negative view of the B & B I went back.
This stay I have to say was absolutely a better experience than before. The Mattress in the Warren room was new verses worn like in the Charlie Chaplin room, energy of the house was lighter, and though the young lady at the front desk is introverted and you have to speak to her before she acknowledges you. It was better then her not even looking at you at all or speaking like last visit.
****HUGE ISSUE and WARNING*****. The property only has 7 tight parking spaces and it’s first come first serve plus a $ 14 fee. We reserved a spot like last stay and when we returned all the spots were full. Trying to find a parking space is a nightmare. We circled the block nearly 15 times over 30min before finding a parking spot on the street a distance from the house.
Pray this is helpful.
Love, light & blessings

This was a very cool place to spend the night and I love the incognito alley entrance. Just a short walk to the cool Venice/​Marina Del Rey bar-​grills. It’s a great place to stay with a group especially since bathrooms are shared, but very cool, clean and eclectic bathrooms… top 10 of hotel bathrooms due to coolness factor. I def suggest a night here when the weather and mood is right. I even had a relaxing smoke in the patio and it was very zen.

Made a reservation online, having loved Venice Beach for a long time but never having stayed a Venice or seen this B & B. Its location is great – not right at the part of the boardwalk where the typical Venice action is (street vendors, Muscle Beach, etc), but only a short walk away. I liked that it was a bit removed from the main part of the boardwalk. The B & B is only a block from a wide selection of restaurants. (Tip: I loved the Venice Whaler.) The accommodations were lovely. Two pleasant surprises: they have beach towels available for use, and the «continental breakfast» is bountiful and home-​cooked. I expected fruit and cereal. We got that, but there were eggs, sausage, toast, and yogurt as well. I would have given it five stars, except there was a slight problem with one of the details of our stay which we had arranged for in advance. The owner was extremely apologetic and concerned that things had not been made right by his staff. I got the impression he would immediately be talking to his staff about the error. I would have no problem going back there again. If you have any requests beyond a basic room reservation, I would just call a few days in advance and talk with the owner to make sure everything would be taken care of. I’m confident that it would be.

Really nice place to stay. A block from the beach and tons of restaurants and shops within walking distance. Was surprised how tranquil the property was considering it’s in the heart of Venice. Highly recommend.

Sehr schöné Zimmer und ein ganz hervorragendes und täglich variierendes frühstück! Direkt in 2 Minuten am Strand.

I’m the type who prefers to visit the local & unique over the corporate & same-​thing-​different-​city chains.
So if you’re like me, you’d probably love the Venice Beach House.
A) it’s a historical landmark
B) it’s like staying as a guest in someone’s house
C) lt’s located just off the beach & around the corner from all of the restaurants that line Washington Blvd.
D) the staff is friendly and accommodating.
E) the vibe was very relaxed.
Why was I at the VBH over the weekend when I live in Santa Monica? Because we were having a family reunion — and we totaled about 20 people. We rented out the whole house for our party so that we could all be together and have a convenient meeting point. No need to lock our doors — it was like we were all at someone’s house.
Each bedroom was unique — some came with attached bathrooms, though others did not. Those rooms had to share 2 bathrooms with 4 double occupancy rooms. Not a problem when we are all family, but I can see how it can be weird when there are strangers who are using them as well.
Breakfast was set out every morning, and tea and snacks were set out in the afternoon. The food was always good. Again — it was just like being at someone’s house — the food wasn’t stellar, but it was well made and good.
Is this B&B for everyone? Not really. There are some friends who I would absolutely recommend VBH to. Then there are others who would prefer something else.
I would take the Venice Beach House over any chain hotel/​motel in a heartbeat.

I didn’t stay here — but my parents recently did for their 10 year anniversary.
Wow! This place is so charming and the property is incredibly beautiful. My parents had the room with a view of the pier and a private bath. They loved their stay here. Brian and the staff were always very friendly when we stopped by. It’s in a great location with walking distance to amazing restaurants and shops… and of course the beach!
Definitely check this out if you are looking for a memorable place to stay.

On a recent solo trip to the Los Angeles area, I looked for a unique place to stay overnight. Well, I certainly found it in THIS WONDERFUL HISTORIC HOTEL! The management and staff were über friendly and the atmosphere was idyllic. Talk about location, LOCATION, location! I Close to the Pacific Ocean, Venice Pier, and «The Pit”-a weight trainer’s outdoor dream gym, I was able to get most places within minutes. In addition, I was able to walk from the hotel all the way to the end of the entertaining Venice Beach Boardwalk full of shops, restaurants and interesting characters. From the moment I checked into the hotel, I was treated as a respected guest… in the end it was very hard to check out and return home. But in the words of a famous celebrity turned Governor, «I’ll be back»…

Stayed at a friend’s suggestion. Got a private suite, but the bathroom was used by the kitchen staff, and I thought it was a private bath. The sheets, they should upgrade the sheets. To many drunks making noise at 2:00AM and 3:00 AM, but that is Venice, I should have known better. Have requested a copy of my bill three times from this establishment, but no reply. As an Innkeeper myself, this one fails.

This place is a must stay for anyone visiting the Venice or LA area! It’s ½ a block from the beach & pier and 2 min. Walking distance from the area bars! The house is beautiful and there are many areas to just sit and read or relax and get away! If your traveling alone or with your family it’s perfect for both! Parking is easy and it’s 10 min. From LAX, 20 min to downtown LA, and Hollywood! This is quite the hidden little gem in Venice and a great, comfortable, and accommodating bed & breakfast!

The most charming bed & breakfast I can remember. We all loooved it, kids included. With 3 steps to the beach, a beautiful garden, and an atmosphere which makes you travel back in time it is a prefect place to relax and hang out. Would love to come back.

A delight.
A time warp.
Arriving at Venice Beach House is like being a traveller before the age of mass tourism.
It made me think of a British colonial house, withdrawn in a small secluded garden meticulously tended by loving hands.
The house still held the faint smell of freshly baked scones.
You immediately feel at home.
Perhaps even a little shy.
As if you’d been gate crashing on a private persons home.
You might be sharing your bathroom with people you do not know.
But does that matter ?
In a place where the surroundings urge everyone to civilized behaviour.
No need for air conditioning here. You are one row back from the beach. Opening the window for fresh air, will suffice.

I’ve been researching my great grandfather, who is Warren and Carla Wilson. My grandmother, is his daughter Barbara… and his other daughter Aunt Doris (Auntie Doe). So it is exciting to read all this! I can’t wait to stop by.

We are here now… this is our 4^th stay here. I can’t imagine a better place to roost when visiting Venice Beach. It is a nice big old arts and crafts homey feeling house, with mega history, and a great feel. There is a big basket of beach towels in the lobby, and it is just a few steps to the nice sandy beach of Venice. The bathrooms aren’t as pristine as I would like, however they are renovating them soon. And although we found the breakfast to be a disappointment, we stand by our rating as it is so incredibly nice here. You cannot get a better location in Venice Beach.

Such a gem of a place! A block and a half off the beach, near great restaurants and like having your own little place in Venice. The rooms aren’t over the top luxurious or anything, but the room we had was spacious and lovely. Guests tend to go to bed early, so my husband and I felt like we were sneaking in one night when we came in late, but it was so fun. This is a gorgeous property in a great location for a great price.

Loved it!!! I took my very first solo vacation spring break of 2007 and it turned out amazing. However, it would’ve been a nightmare had it not been for the staff at The Venice Beach House. I had never been to California, but for some reason thought it be similar to Florida… its not with regard to accommodations specifically. So I just flew out there and thought I’d worry about finding a place to stay once I arrived. First mistake! Most everything was booked solid and what wasn’t was way out of my price range or the opposite… very scary.
I fell in love with The Venice Beach House as soon as I laid eyes on it. And even more so after meeting some of the staff. They did not have a room available my first night, however they did for 5 nights of my trip. They offered me a special for staying so many nights and booked me a room for that night at a nice hotel within walking distance. This was so wonderful of them, as I did not rent a car the whole time I was there. I only rented a beach cruiser. My stay at the beach house was more than I could have hoped for and has made me fall in love with bed and breakfasts.
The house smells amazing because they are always baking breads or cookies. There was a wonderful breakfast every morning. The bathrooms are shared for some rooms, private for others. I had the shared type, they were kept super clean and fully stocked. They even furnished beach towels… and there is literally only one building separating the house from the beautiful beach. I was there for spring break and was utterly amazed at how «not busy» Venice Beach was. I loved everything about this place and the town of Venice. I walked or rode a bike everywhere I went. It was within riding distance of Santa Monica, Marina Del Ray, and Malibu. I will definitely be back.

Das mit den Hotel in Los Angeles ist so eine Sache. Nicht das es wenig geben würde. Man bekommt selbst um die Ecke vom Hollywood Boulevard ein einigermaßen vernünftiges Zimmer für rund 150 Dollar die Nacht. Unter 150 wird es allerdings eher schwierig, wenn man nicht gerade auf einem schmalen Bett übernachten will und auf jeglichen Luxus verzichtet. Den bieten die vielen, vielen teuren Hotels, die meist in Ordnung sind, aber auch etwas seelenlos daher kommen. Wer etwas länger in einer Stadt ist, der sucht dann doch vielleicht etwas freundliches, wenig Business-​Menschen und ein wenig Gemütlichkeit. Da ist man im Venice Beach House an der richtigen Adresse.
Es liegt nur wenige Meter vom Strand entfernt, steht da zwar in zweiter Reihe hinter ein paar Häusern, aber das stört nicht weiter. Das Gebäude selber ist 1911 entstanden, ein altes Holzhaus, das mittlerweile komplett mit Efeu umwachsen ist und unter Denkmalschutz steht (sowas haben die da auch). Im Innerern setzt sich die nette Atmosphäre fort und man fühlt sich ein wenig wie in einem Privathaus. Ganze neun Zimmer hat das Hotel, davon allerdings nur fünf mit eigenem Bad und Toilette. Wer lange dort wohnen will, der wird wohl auf ein Bad nicht verzichten wollen. Die Zimmer sind unterschiedlich eingerichtet, haben aber einen gewissen Vorkriegscharme. Fernseher gibt es, fürs Internet braucht man ein Netzwerkkabel, da es kein Wi-​Fi gibt.
Das Frühstück am morgen ist eher in der Kategorie geht so einzuordnen. Da ist man dann doch besser dran, wenn man um die Ecke zu den diversen Sandwich Bars geht. Nachmittags gibt es allerdings immer frischen Kuchen und Eistee, wer an den Strand will, kann sich aus einem Korb mit Handtüchern eindecken. Die Umgebung des Hotels geht so. Schön ist es nicht gerade, eine Wohngegend halt, aber der Strand direkt vor der Nase und der Washington Boulevard mit seinen Restaurants entschädigt dafür.
Billig ist die Sache nicht, denn pro Nacht muss man schon mehr als 180 Dollar berappen. Dazu ist man von den Sehenswürdigkeiten in L.A. (Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Downtown) eine gute halbe bis ganze Stunde entfernt. Eine Fahrt zum Dodger Stadium zum Beispiel summiert sich auf knapp 35 Kilometer. Hinfahrt. Auf der anderen Seite hat man hier ein wirklich wunderschönes Hotel, das zu dem in einer ruhigen Ecke liegt. Man lernt L.A. und vor allem Venice Beach auf eine ganz andere Art und Weise kennen und meist dauert es auch nicht lange und man hat sich in die Gegend rettunglos verliebt. Wer jetzt im Venice Beach House mal übernachten will: man sollte mindestens zwei Monate im voraus reservieren.

The Venice Beach House was built in 1911 by Warren & Carla Wilson. As the owner of the Los Angeles Daily Journal, the Wilson’s friends and family included the founder of Venice, Abbot Kinney (two of Kinney sons married two of Wilson’s daughters!) and a close-​knit group of Hollywood stars and personalities.
The home has been faithfully restored, inviting an ever growing circle of friends and family to share its casual elegance. Its distinctive craftsman style architecture and long list of celebrity connections
have earned its listing on the National Register of Historic Places…
We spent a lovely Labor Day weekend here, and had the fortune of being able to sample the rooms. We stayed in the Abbott Kinney room, which is covered in wall-​to-​wall flannel plaid, and then spent a night in the Tramps Quarters. Once you get over the absence of a bathroom in your room, adjusting to the homey settings becomes so easy.
The house is ½ block from the beach, which keeps the daytime beach traffic away from you. There are some cabanas behind the house which make for a nice afternoon nap hideout.
The staff is amazingly friendly and helpful. I felt as though I was transcended back to the quaint midwest.
The restaurants that are within stumbling distance are adequate. There isn’t any five star dining in this neighborhood, but there is some good sushi, Mexican and Thai restaurants.