The Georgian Hotel on the beach front in Santa Monica, California has enjoyed a 75 year history as one of Los Angles most charming properties. When the ocean blue hotel opened, in 1933, the decadent Art Deco landmark was an immediate draw for Hollywood movie stars.
The Pacific oceanfront property has enjoyed a history as an exclusive getaway for Hollywood Royalty during the “Golden era” of movie making. During prohibition, The Georgian had a speakeasy which reportedly served alcoholic drinks The Speakeasy area is a spot a the hotel where apparitions believed to be ghosts have been spotted.
The Georgian Hotel was opened in 1933, which was near the end of Prohibition. It is believed that the Georgian Hotel served alcoholic spirits. In the present day,the hotel’s Speakeasy restaurant has been the location of otherworldly spirits.
One visitor, who could not be seen, sat down next the the hotel’s chief engineer and let out a loud sigh. The engineer asked the ghost if it was going to speak and the spirit left the area.
Employees have seen transparent guests that dissipated. One employee heard an invisible entity say “Good morning” to him repeatedly.
History of the Georgian Hotel
The Georgian Hotel was built during the art deco era as an intimate ocean hideaway. At the time it was built, Santa Monica was a little known seaside community. The lavish oceanside resort catered to members of Los Angeles high society.
The Georgian Hotel was built during the peak of California’s coastal expansion in the late 1920’s and 1930’s. The hotel was the vision of Mrs. Rosamond Borde, who was a pioneer in an industry dominated by men. Mrs. Borde hired an architect who designed a building that showcased both the Romanesque Revival and Art Deco styles. The hotel, was dubbed “Lady” in honor of Mrs. Borde
The Georgian was home to one of Los Angele’s first speakeasies during the Prohibition years. The hotel became a rendezvous place of Hollywood executives, actors and celebrities. Famous guests included Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, Bugsy Siegel and Fatty Arbuckle. In that era the hotel was considered to be one of the most modern facilities of that time.
During that prohibition era, the Pacific Coast Highway was lined with nightclubs, The Georgian serves martinis and other drinks to glamorous guests on the oceanfront veranda. The beach front getaway was very popular with Hollywood studio executives and film stars from America and Europe.
Los Angeles developed from a free spirited community to a major metropolitan city. The Georgian was refurbished in the 1950’s. In the 1960’s the Georgian reinvented itself as a modern, upscale apartment residence. The apartments had amazing amenities like “a bathroom in each room.” Rose Kennedy was a tenant on the building, where she spent several summers entertaining Hollywood Royalty, politicians and journalists.
In the spring of 2000 a $2 million renovation was completed. Improvements included the addition of amenities in the guest rooms. The Georgian Hotel features amenities, including: 24 hour room service, 4 hour concierge service, 24 hours business center, 24 hour fitness room, complimentary wireless Internet, and hotel Veranda and dining and bar area. The Georgian hotel is pet friendly.
The Georgia, with its ocean blue facade and Art Deco detailing, continues to provides an escape for Hollywood Royalty.
