My husband and I left a high priced hotel close to the beach, to stay here. It's not for everyone, but Janet the proprietor was so friendly, and the prices were unbelievable. The housekeeping was superb, and the other guests were nice and generally quiet.
This place isn't for everyone, but we had a room in the back, which was quiet and delightful. The place was very clean, and the parking was free. The housekeeping was superb, and I would definitely stay there again.
I wish we'd come directly here, rather than the high-priced spread we endured, which was just awful (The Ocean View Hotel), which charged $20/night just for parking. The 14% tax on all lodging in Santa Monica is what it is. To be fair, the all around rudeness at the Ocean Park Hotel Front Desk (except for Rashad), was free.
There are Origami towels (!!!), that were fascinating, and if you're into it, our room had a great flat screen television, that had a lot of premium channels. This is also different from the Ocean View, which had a lousy TV, with few decent channels.
This was a business trip, so the only drawback was the wi-fi wasn't great. But if you have an iPad, no problem. The bathroom was L-shaped, and had no tub; but it was a relief to be there. Their was an iron door to our upstairs room, but that just made me feel safe. There was also a room safe.
I would go back in a heartbeat.

It's hard to know how to write this, because I'm afraid I won't be able to convey how special this place is. First I'll tell you what it is not. I've stayed in many very nice chain motels and they have their place, but the Rest Haven is not that. It isn't a bland, generic tupperware box of a room, uniform from coast to coast. This is an older place that has been brought up-to-date so that it is clean, comfortable, and modern yet it retains its unique personality. I've stayed here twice in a room off the courtyard. In the warm afternoons, I left the door open and watched the hummingbirds flit around the flowers. A quince tree hung heavy with fruit. A breeze blew through the room. I just loved this place. The staff is very nice. Their attitude is so personal compared to a chain motel. The first time I arrived, Jannet said, "There are two rooms available. I'll show them to you and you can choose which one you want." That's never happened to me before. Finally I'll say the prices are very, very low compared to other Santa Monica accommodations. Now, just to be totally objective, I'll say that a person who prefers a grand, antiseptic room may not appreciate the unique, handmade feel of the Rest Haven. And I do have to report that there were some brief interruptions in the water service and once some noise came through the wall when my neighbor shouted in anger during a phone conversation. But if I could, I would spend my whole summer at the Rest Haven, enjoying Santa Monica and the nice people who manage this place. Please don't change, Rest Haven.

I am a budget minded traveler. However, I would rather pay more than stay in a dive. But this place is VERY NICE and good for a budget. It is an older motel that has been fixed up nicely. The landscaping plants are mature and lush. The courtyard is very nice if you get a room in the back. All the rooms are different and if there are several available then Jannet, the manager, will be happy to show them to you so you can choose. We usually have 3 or 4 of us when we stay here so we like a room with one double and two twin beds. The kids each get their own bed! In that room, however, the bathroom is tiny. But it is manageable. The room under the apartment in the back off the courtyard has a double bed in one part of the unit and a door seperating it from the area where a twin bed is. That one has a larger bathroom. The other two off the courtyard in their own building are newer but smaller with one bed each and one has a nice handicapped bathroom. The room in the front under the apartment also has a double bed and a twin bed and the bathroom area is huge with a whole other section off of the bathroom with an additional dresser. This is probably the best one if you have a lot of stuff with you, like large suitcases to store. The rest of the motel has a strip of rooms off of the parking area and is the original motel building. Across from the parking area is a Jack in the Box and the drive through but the noise was really not too bad as the windows are newer and seem to be double paned. Actually we like it there as it is actually a buffer from Linclon Blvd which is in the front of the Jack in the Box. On the weekends, the noise from the bar kitty corner from the hotel can be loud if they have a band but we are usually out and about anyway. Basically if you are noise sensitive, get a room off the courtyard or wear ear plugs. The rooms each have a small fridge and dressers that are quite large. I have yet to stay in a room that has a desk or table but I have not needed them. There is free wifi. The office will give you the code. Each room also has nice flat scrren tvs on the wall up high. The rooms are clean with a surprise oragami towel animal for your pleasure. The towels are small and linens are basic. They do put a sheet on top of the bedspread which is nice. The room heaters are the old fashioned wall type. Ask on tips on how to use it. If you tend to get cold when you sleep, ask for an extra blanket as some of the doors have a draft at the bottom. The manager Jannet is so nice, I feel like I am visiting a cousin or something everytime I come here. Never hesitate to ask for anything. When Fred the owner is there, he is also equally as accomodating. DO NOT EXPECT the stuff you get at hotel/motel chains here. This is a historical landmark hotel with a cute neon sign. It has been refurbished quite nicely but the place does have some age related flaws. Also the area is not the greatest but not the worst either. It is super convenient to many area attractions and there are regular bus routes nearby. You can also easily walk to places like the Santa Monica Pier in 15-20 minutes. I just love this motel. But I like variation. Sure, their are things that could be better but they do the absolute best with what they have. Frankly, I am out and about most of the time enjoying Santa Monica and LA so I don't need much. I would rather have the extra 50-100 bucks that I save each night by staying here to spend out there anyway. For the business traveller, this may not be the place due to lack of a desk and other ammenities. But for the tourist, especially one on a budget, this is THE PLACE.

We were satisfated our staing in this motel. Espeshely thanks to manager, who was plesant with as. Nice place, good rooms.