This mid-size, 155-room waterfront hotel is easy on the eyes. For the caliber of its services (24-hour room service, poolside dining, harbor-facing balconies), the rates are reasonable. You’re not going to get any closer to the water than this, and with an acclaimed seafood restaurant on-site, you’ll get the full sensory experience.
Imagine all the ways you could relax—like, really relax—if you got to enjoy L.A.’s oceanfront setting minus the noisy freeways and tourist-filled promenades. Marina del Rey is a last refuge of sorts, against the increasingly saturated, untamed cityscape. The hotel saddles right up to the gorgeous Marina del Rey harbor, with sailboats bobbing in the breeze and a blissful absence of cars. The building itself is reminiscent of classic midcentury roadside inns, but inside is tastefully restrained decor (leather armchairs and ottomans help elevate the picture). A waterfront setting is only as good as the water it looks at, of course; and here, you get a spa-like panorama of paddle boarders and joyfully barking seals. A popular way to spend the afternoon here is at the infinity-edge pool (it’s heated year-round, so the cabanas and daybeds get plenty of use). In case you’re feeling a little cramped after your transpacific flight, maybe a waterfront stroll is in order—nothing could be easier, considering the hotel perches on its own jetty inside the world-famous marina.
Location: Safely tucked inside the harbor, this Marina del Rey hotel is surrounded by water, but by no means an island. It’s a quick 8-minute Uber ride to get to Venice Beach, and LAX is just 4 miles away.
Nearby:
Fisherman’s Village: With quaint cobblestone paths and brightly painted fishermen’s houses, you’ll think you’ve accidentally stumbled into New England in this resort-style seaport, which is packed with restaurants as well as boat rental shops.
Burton Chace Park: This waterfront park, which is located on the next pier over from the hotel, makes a fantastic picnic spot on a hot summer day. Leave those portable speakers in the room—on weekends, the park hosts free concerts.
Venice Beach Boardwalk: You didn’t come all the way to the west side without catching at least a glimpse of one of L.A.’s most famous landmarks. A 9-minute car ride away, this people-watching spot stretches all the way up to the Santa Monica Pier, in an unbroken pathway that welcomes cyclists, skaters and pedestrians.
Gjusta: Though not directly next to the hotel, this Venice bakery’s reputation stretches far and wide, and is by all means worth the trek. The banana chocolate tart is legendary, and you can also grab cuts of meat and fish to go for a beach picnic.
Good for: Particularly well-suited for couples, families and all-girls getaways, the hotel maintains a pleasantly low-key vibe while supplying 5-star amenities to rival the most elite hideouts in Beverly Hills. That’s especially true about the restaurant, SALT, whose tan-colored banquettes and curved silhouettes evoke the feel of being on a ship. The seafood is of superior quality, so plan a celebratory dinner of live sea urchin, Nantucket-style lobster rolls and classic cod and chips while you’re here.
Amenities: pool, room service, free Wi-Fi, minibar, restaurant, gym, concierge
Time Out tip: If you’re ready to put a ring on it, keep this venue in mind. The hotel boasts the only waterfront lawn in town, making for a spectacularly intimate proposal (or wedding ceremony!) spot backed by million-dollar yachts and the crisp blue current.