Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection is not a shimmering mirage in the sand; it’s the pastel hotel confection of your dreams. We check-in to the refined 5-star beachfront retreat for sun, sand, sea and slumber.
Set just behind Santa Monica hotel landmark Shutters on the Beach, Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection holds its own with a stylish, stark white Mediterranean exterior on Ocean Avenue, mere steps from the shore and the iconic Santa Monica Pier.
Taking its cues from the sun, sand and sea with organic shapes and earthy hues, Sandbourne Santa Monica wows with elevated ambience and chic coastal vibes.
Checking-in
Sandbourne Santa Monica is part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection of independent hotels and reopened in mid-2024 after a major renovation transformation.
The resulting sand chic aesthetic embraces its beachfront street surrounds on Ocean Avenue with direct pool to beach access to Santa Monica Beach and the pier.
It’s situated within Downtown Santa Monica, close to the Third Street Promenade shopping and entertainment precinct, galleries, restaurants and other urban diversions.
The whitewashed façade is reminiscent of Mediterranean coastal abodes, while the interior lobby touts the hotel’s upscale beach retreat theme with soft, natural tones and smooth, undulating surfaces – no hard edges here.
The overall effect is fresh and soothing, from the signature scent to the welcoming elevated service – a glass of bubbles on check-in certainly sets the tone for the stay.
Located 21km from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the average Uber ride is around 28 minutes to the hotel. There is onsite parking (including an EV charger) and a complimentary ride circuit to popular Santa Monica sites from 11:30am – 9pm daily.
The room
The 175-key Sandbourne Santa Monica has an array of accommodations available, including two suites, all resplendent in beachy tones and textures.
I’m ensconced in a 50sqm Executive King Ocean View guestroom, which opens to a generous, sun-drenched private balcony offering unobstructed views of Santa Monica Beach and the Pacific Ocean.
The roomy space echoes the hotel’s retro-cool, beachy vibes with pastel pink walls, beach-inspired artworks and stylish accents such as arc floor lamps, geometric mirrors and feature carpet and furniture that mimic wave patterns and undulating shapes.
The room features a king-size bed with a sage green bed base and pillow-topped mattress, an oversized chair, a separate dining/desk area, a mini fridge, ample wardrobe and lots of storage, including a cabinet for the flatscreen TV.
For the modern holidaymaker or bleisure traveller, there are plenty of power outlets plus free Wi-Fi connectivity for Marriott Bonvoy members.
The bathroom contains a huge rain shower with stucco walls, a lighted bathroom mirror atop a marble vanity and luxe amenities including lightweight robes, slippers and California-made Côte Beauty clean skincare in the hotel’s signature scent.
Food and drink
Sandbourne Santa Monica has a signature restaurant, Marelle, serving fresh California fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus brunch on weekends, using seasonal ingredients from the local farmers markets.
The Sunset Pool & Lounge menu also offers an array of food and drink delivered straight to your cabana or lounger, including cocktails and mocktails.
There’s also the Lobby Bar, which serves free drip coffee from Tuesday to Sunday from 6:30–10am before transforming into a chic cocktail bar between 3–11pm.
And for the times when you really can’t lift a finger, there is contactless in-room dining available from 6am – 11pm.
Amenities
There’s plenty of cool spaces and onsite amenities that you might not even know exist, so it pays to explore the hotel. After all, you don’t want to miss out on discovering the complimentary sweet room filled with glass bowls of lollies.
The Sandbourne also hosts a Resident Artist program, which includes a ‘Ceramics by the Pool’ 45-minute pinch-pot class every Saturday for guests taught by a local artist.
The pet-friendly hotel has a serenity garden/off-leash dog park and for humans, there is a 24/7 indoor/outdoor fitness centre equipped with the latest Peloton bikes, Pilates reformers, Technogym cardio and strength machines and free weights, along with a steam room and sauna. A full-treatment wellness spa is also set to open in 2025.
Enjoy the California sunshine from the heated outdoor pool and lounge area (complimentary sunscreen and aloe vera gel are on hand if you overdo it).
If you’re inclined to leave the hotel confines, the Sandbourne offers 90-minute beach cruiser bike hire and beach rentals, such as boogie boards, beach chairs and umbrellas – all included in your stay, plus a QR code in your room will point you to curated walks and runs in the area.
The verdict
Full of considered modern conveniences and curated experiences plus a nostalgic nod to the area’s beach heritage and laidback lifestyle, Sandbourne Santa Monica is the kind of hotel that will entice you to stay in and enjoy all the stylish amenities. It’s a California classic in the making – fresh-faced, retro-cool yet elevated for the modern traveller.
The details
- Address: 1740 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Room type: Sandbourne Santa Monica has 175 suites and rooms, including the Executive King Ocean View Room
- Check-in: 4pm
- Check-out: 11am
- Rates: From USD$548–$1,232 per night
- Website: sandbournesantamonica.com
The writer was hosted by Sandbourne Santa Monica.
