Frommer's Review
There are three reasons to stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey: 1) You're a watercraft cognoscenti and you desire a serene view of more than 5,000 beautiful sailboats and yachts from your private balcony; 2) You want to take advantage of this business hotel's reduced weekend rates; or 3) You want to stay in style near the airport (a traffic-free, 10-min. ride). In typical Ritz-Carlton fashion, the hotel is swathed in soothingly sophisticated decor -- Italian marble bathrooms, French doors leading to private balconies, 32-inch plasma-screen televisions, and the most comfortable goose-down feather bed I've ever slept in. The two top floors consist of the Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, with a dedicated concierge, on-the-house cocktails, and complimentary gourmet spreads all day (including breakfast). Thanks to its marina location, the hotel offers yacht and sailing charters, and reserves several slips for boat-bound customers. Venice Beach is about a 15-minute walk, but it's easier to rent a bicycle from the hotel. And to keep up with the competition, the hotel has recently added a full-service boutique spa as well. Tip: Request one of the "27 series" rooms, which are junior suites that are larger and have the best views. The hotel's restaurant, Jer-ne Restaurant + Bar (pronounced "journey"), serves superb New World cuisine in a stylishly modern setting -- although I prefer a table on the deck overlooking the harbor -- and they've recently opened their new Boutique Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, featuring eight treatment rooms, manicure and pedicure services, steam room experiences, a spa retail shop, and a new state-of-the-art cardio/weight studio furnished with high-tech equipment.
Facilities:
2 restaurants; bar and lounge; heated outdoor pool and whirlpool; 2 lighted tennis courts; fitness center; spa; bike rentals; concierge; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning; basketball court
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
