Location United States Number of rooms 302 (including suites) | Floor count 10 | |
 | ||
Hotel chain Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Address 101 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90401 Management Fairmont Raffles Hotels International | ||
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows is a five-star hotel located near the beach in Santa Monica, California, not far from the Santa Monica Pier. The building dates from 1889; it was a private residence until it was converted to a hotel in the early twentieth century.
Contents
History
John P. Jones, originally from Herefordshire, England, came to California in 1849. He made a fortune through silver mining, and in 1874, bought a three-quarter interest of Robert Symington Baker's ranch near Los Angeles. In 1875, Jones and Baker co-founded Santa Monica.
In 1889 Jones built a Victorian-style mansion as his family's residence, and named it Miramar. His wife, Georgina, planted a rose garden near the house, and also planted trees along Santa Monica's streets.
After John P. Jones died in 1912, his widow sold the family's mansion to King Camp Gillette, inventor of the safety razor. Gillette later sold the property to hotelier Gilbert Stevenson, who converted it into The Miramar Hotel.
The hotel became popular in the 1920s with celebrities and other notable guests, particularly Greta Garbo. In the 1930s Jean Harlow was seen dining at the hotel, and Betty Grable performed in the Miramar lounge with Ted Whidden's band.
A new six-story wing was built in 1924, to provide apartments for longer stays at the beach. Greta Garbo was one of the first celebrities to move in, and she lived there for more than four years. In the 1930s, 32 poolside bungalows were built, separate from the main hotel buildings. They underwent a $18 million renovation in 2002–2003, preserving the original design.
The hotel's Ocean Tower contains ten floors, and stands 115.96 feet (35.34 m) high.
Moreton Bay Fig Tree
In addition to planting the Miramar property's original rose garden, and the trees that line some of Santa Monica's streets, Georgina Jones is perhaps best-known for planting a Moreton Bay Fig Tree, which she received as a gift.
The tree still stands in the hotel's front courtyard, at a height of 99 feet (30 m), with a 129 feet (39 m) canopy, and a trunk 569 inches (1,450 cm) in girth, and is listed on the Official Registry of California Big Trees.