Welcome to Marina del Rey Hotel, Californian laid-back luxury with some of the region’s best beaches on your doorstep – all 20 minutes from LAX.
When there’s a wedding at your hotel, and the bride is posing on the lawn in her flowing white gown for her once-in-a-lifetime photos, you know you’re onto a good thing.
The low-rise Marina del Rey Hotel might be a dream location for a wedding (and the photographer), but it’s also the perfect LA hot spot to bask in the Californian sunshine next to a sparkling marina filled with multi-million-dollar yachts, with some of the region’s best beaches as your playground.
History of the hotel
This little slice of history was the first hotel built in Marina del Rey, opening its doors in 1964.
In 2013, a AU$28 million upgrade saw the addition of the outdoor marina-facing pool and sundeck, as well as a wedding venue. Fast forward to 2022 and the hotel underwent another refresh, this time to make “sleek upgrades” to the pool, bar and SALT restaurant. The result is a relaxed luxury aesthetic – think Hamptons meets the nautics.
My room
I arrive in darkness and slide open the door to my balcony where palm trees sway in a warm breeze, and the lap of the water knocks against yachts moored in a glassy bay.
My room is a Marina View King on the second floor, where you can lie in your king-sized bed on Egyptian sheets and soak up views of the sparkling marina.
It’s spacious with plenty of spots to sit and take in that view (whether inside or out). There’s also free Wi-Fi and all the essentials, including a pod coffee machine, fridge, hairdryer and iron.
Inside, it’s got a home away from home vibe, but the pièce de résistance is that balcony with its postcard-worthy view.
Out and about
Markets are the best way to get a taste of local life, and if you’re here on any Saturday, head to The Marina del Rey Farmers’ Market, which operates year-round (regardless of the weather) from 9am to 2pm.
Don’t miss Love Kenya Kids run by Pauline Githara, who sells Kenyan jewellery and clothing, most of which comes from her homeland and is handcrafted by Maasai people and several other ethnic tribes in Kenya – with a portion of sales going to orphanages in Kenya.
Githara says, “I began to gain more interest in Kenyan attire and jewellery as it had a soul that I thought people in my city needed, and I decided to shift my focus to cultivating a community of people who want to share that same sense of cultural exchange”.
To get there, hire a bike from the hotel ($8 for an hour or $25 for four hours) and then head up to Venice Beach, and beyond to Santa Monica.
At Venice, cycle along the vibrant “mile-long strip” of Abbot Kinney Boulevard, the Venice Canals just east of the Venice Beach Boardwalk, Muscle Beach, and grab a coffee at Boulevard Venice, owned by Australian rugby player Billy Meakes.
Back at the hotel, don’t miss SALT restaurant, where you can dine on fresh seafood like Maine lobster bisque, steamed Prince Edward Island mussels and togarashi seared Ahi tuna, all while taking in the marina’s best views.
And nothing screams California like lazing in a cabana by the glistening pool with a local cocktail in hand. Try the Del Rey Spritz – cucumber-infused Hendrick’s gin, Aperol, carrot juice, lemon and champagne.
Verdict
When you leave a place looking up house prices, you know it’s a holiday winner.
Combine the picturesque marina, cycles to Venice Beach and beyond, the markets mere metres away, mouthwatering cuisine at SALT, and that quintessentially Californian pool area, and while you may not be able to live here, you’ll want to pretend you do.
Details
Address: 13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Room type: Marina View King
Check-in: 4pm
Check-out: midday
Rates: The average room rate is around A$515 per night including tax, which includes food and beverage credits and a two-hour cycle rental.
For more information, visit Marina del Rey Hotel.
