The Penthouse at the Huntley Hotel is awash in white, appointed with dainty chandeliers and divvied up (by gauzy curtains) into indoor cabanas. Each of them provides an ideal perch from which to watch the sun slink slowly behind the Palisades. Hoteliers have even installed an express elevator (with a stunning ocean view of its own) that zips past prole floors 1 to 17 to deposit patrons directly at one of the Penthouse's leather couches. It is easy under such conditions to feel like a high roller, so it's a pleasant surprise when the bill comes and it's only $4 for beer, $6 for wine and $7 for appetizers and cocktails. 1111 Second St., Santa Monica. (310) 393-8080, thehuntleyhotel.com.

—Tessa Stuart

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