24 Hours In: Hotel Erwin, Venice Beach

Venice Beach is a lot of things, but boring is not one of them. (The same can't be said for its neighbor, Santa Monica.) Whether it's the skate culture, the iconic muscle beach, the strong smell of pot, the tye-dye crop tops, the boardwalk hippies and beachside tarot card readers, or the $5 hot dogs, there's no other place in California quite like Venice. It's as if time has moved particularly slowly in this neighborhood, or perhaps not at all. As an icon of American subculture, Venice has persevered and survived to thrill us with its weirdness, its charm, and diversity.

Not everything has stayed the same, of course. Although it's been around for five decades, Hotel Erwin, right in the middle of Venice, has recently undergone a recent remodeling, turning this longstanding Venice mainstay into a trendy, vibrant destination, while preserving the original vision of its owner, Erwin Sokol.

The rooms

The hotel has 33 suites and 86 guestrooms. All have been modernized with a retro color palette of blues, greens, and yellows that nod to the neighborhood's playful beach vibe while celebrating Venice's cultural journey through the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Elliptical orange lamps flank the bed and hang over dueling chrome nightstands; elsewhere in the room, you can find a vase of peacock feathers, a wicker chair, and a standup orb lamp. Those lucky enough to get an ocean view room can relax on the balcony and drink up the vibe. Refreshingly, the partitions between the balconies haven't been remodeled or extended, meaning the balconies have retained their retro motel vibe: it's the easiest and most natural thing in the world to turn left or right and strike up a conversation with your next door neighbor.

Los Angeles-based designer Sally Breer (from Co-Mingle), oversaw the room design. She set out to create a 70s bohemian sensibility, complete with funhouse mirrors in the bathroom and a selfie graphic that nods to the Venice postcard sentiment “Wish you were here!”

Hotel Erwin, Venice. Ocean King Room.

Hotel Erwin

Food and amenities

Hotel Erwin wanted to continue its mission for local-leaning partnerships and in doing so, began a collaboration with Venice-based Sole Bicycles. Guests can whip around town on a new fleet of Erwin-customized beach cruisers perfect for street-art gawking and boardwalk cruising. Meanwhile, each room features in-room snacks and goods curated by Whole Foods Market Venice.

When it's dinner time, head downstairs to the hotel’s first-floor restaurant, Erwin's Kitchen & Cocktails. It's small, but inviting, with a menu that offers locally inspired dishes. Try the Spanish octopus with marbled potatoes or the chicken fried rice with mushroom, peppers, and broccoli. The staff here are wonderful: you will be well taken care of. When the weather allows, the highly-coveted High Rooftop Lounge is also open for businesses, offering sweeping views of the Venice sunset and creative cocktails.

Erwin's Kitchen and Cocktails.

Hotel Erwin


Grab an Erwin-customized cruiser bike or hop on a motorized scooter and make your way down to the boardwalk. If you turn right, you can ride all the way down to Santa Monica and back. If you need a pit-stop, try Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken—you won't be disappointed.

If biking and scooting isn't your thing, pay a visit to a Venice legend: Ink Monkey Tattoo & Piercing. Browse the designs, chat to the owner, and get inked.