The exterior's not much to look at, but once inside the Sheraton Delfina we could hardly believe it's actually a Sheraton. The lobby looks like our wealthiest friend's living room, and the pool area has sex appeal.

The hotel was franchised by the Kor Hotel group in 2005 and underwent extensive updates in design and service, even winning a Hospitality Design award along the way. Sheraton was resistant to change initially, but the results have been so great that the worldwide chain is even looking into implementing some of Kor's ideas elsewhere. The lobby here is a stunner, with unusual furniture luxuriously upholstered; on the weekends it hosts a low-key DJ. A bar separates the lobby from the pool, a small area with a wood deck that seems to have a lot of Europeans milling about (hurrah for accents and ridiculously tiny bathing suits). The hotel is always trying out new activities for guests, such as poolside barbeques and brunches. The guest rooms are nice but not overly so: They aren't allowed to be much fancier than the average Sheraton room, but Kor has managed to throw in a few extras like nicer bath products. Try to get a view room with a Jacuzzi on the balcony for the ultimate Santa Monica experience. —Katherine Spiers