[AviationGuy]

Wondering if the Hotel Carmel by the Sea is still there in Santa Monica. In 1989, a group from work went to a conference in Anaheim, and 4 of us decided to stay for three extra days. Based on a brochure, we decided to stay at the Hotel Carmel by the Sea in Santa Monica. When we checked in, we found that it was essentially in skid row, several blocks from the beach, and the hotel was in disrepair. No working phones, no working TVs, etc.. But we stayed and got used to it. To this day, my friends from where I worked at the time still laugh about that experience. We did have a great time sightseeing (especially Universal Studios) and dining out at some great places in Santa Monica.