Travel
MARINA DEL REY FOR A LUXURIOUSLY RELAXING ESCAPE!
08.28.11
Review by Sheryll Alexander
When we booked a two-night stay to Marina Del Rey’s recreation-friendly Jamaica Bay Inn and iconic Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey, we never thought it would be one of the most relaxing getaways ever.
Just a quick 45-minute drive from coastal OC, Marina Del Rey has an unrivaled by-the-ocean vibe. No, this isn’t Santa Monica, Venice, The South Bay, Downtown or Hollywood. And that’s a very good thing.
Why? Because Marina Del Rey is different. There’s a city gritty energy here along with that surburban casual cool OCers love so much. Yes, Marina Del Rey makes you feel like you are living right on the edge of a blue Pacific Ocean world with its spectacular marina, expansive ocean and even Santa Monica mountain views.
Also remember, Marina Del Rey is the perfect stopping point for stays in LA. You can fly into LAX and spend a night or two here before driving home to OC. Or, you can spend a few relaxing hours here if you get caught in an LA traffic jam or LAX catastrophe. For those who hate to party and drive, Marina Del Rey also makes for a fun and safe place (limos are easily rented) to hang when attending LA premieres, charity events, live concerts, weddings, business trips and never-stop nightlife.
Jamaica Bay Inn for Salt Water Paradise!
Jamaica Bay Inn is a bright six-story building with a curiously exciting view of the marina’s cul de sac. Locals love this oval-shaped lagoon with white sand beach and palm trees because it makes you feel like are living on a tropical island.
The inn is tucked into a scenic corner of the lagoon, which is a public beach as well as a recreational mecca. The wide beach has soft white sand, a wade-in swim area and a kayak and paddleboard equipment outfitter.
Sit on a lounge chair at the inn’s sunny pool and you can watch old people taking a dip in the gentle lagoon, mothers with their dogs and strollers walking along the boardwalk and kids building sandcastles and playing in the bracing water. Kayakers and paddle boarders of all levels (lessons are available) test their skills by gliding easily along these protected shores.
Our two-room suite on the sixth floor had a panoramic view of the lagoon. The room was modern, plush and had more than enough style and quality for the price, especially with a lagoon side sun-dappled balcony (where we dried our wet clothes from the day’s water activities). The beds were very comfortable with super soft sheets. The huge marble bathroom had separate his-and-her vanities, a giant tub and a rain shower. The adjoining living room was perfect for kids with its sofa bed, dining table, kitchen sink and en suite bathroom.
Unfortunately, this bright white-and-yellow building along Admiralty Way is on a corner that didn’t make it through the recession well as a few nearby restaurants have recently closed. This just gives guests another reason to enjoy the inn’s Vu restaurant.
Decorated in earth tones with huge picture windows overlooking the bay, Vu is a delightful space to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails and apps or some post-dinner dessert and coffee. Locals love to sit on the scenic outdoor garden patio even on winter evenings as the restaurant provides cozy fire pits. On weekends, Vu transforms into a happening live music scene.
The Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey Delights
Did you know The Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey is an internationally-known destination resort? On our recent trip, we discovered this fact personally. Yes, it seemed everyone at the pool, in the Jacuzzi, in the elevator and in the club level lounge spoke French, German or some exotic Slav or Scandinavian language. And, if they did speak English, they had a jaunty English or sexy Australian accent.
With this global flair and a “hidden LA” location, we automatically felt like we were part of the international jet set at The Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey.
All 304 rooms, especially those on top floors, at this high-rise hotel have killer marina and mountain views. Ocean-facing rooms have incomparable views (and tiny balconies for viewing).
Our standard king room was certainly plush with fluffy white goose down bed, overstuffed sitting chair, breathtaking balcony, sleek work desk, flat screen TV and gleaming white-and-gray marble bathrooms with tons of Bulgari amenities.
Club Lounge Food, Drink and Service
Our Room 1104 sat just steps away from the hotel’s eleventh-floor club level lounge. For an added daily fee, guests at The Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey can opt to enjoy this living room-like lounge from 6 a.m.-10 p.m.. Here, business folks, romantic couples and busy families hang out for drinks, bites, a business center (two for-free computers and a printer!) and a concierge staff.
For breakfast, we enjoyed the gorgeous marina and mountain views from the lounge’s floor-to-ceiling French windows along with a sumptuous continental breakfast. The lounge’s many concierges are dutiful to satisfying your needs from pouring alcoholic drinks any time when asked, clearing your table, talking to your kids, ordering limos, making restaurant reservations and providing lots of local insider information.
After breakfast, the club level lounge transforms into a haven at lunch and through the afternoon for finger sandwiches, refreshing salads and cold drinks. “Cocktails and apps” starts at 5 p.m., which is then followed by evening desserts until the lounge closes.
If you can pull yourself away from your cozy room or the decadent club lounge, head to the pool. Unfortunately, the pool is located on the shady side of the hotel, so be aware that late afternoons can be rather cold. So, it’s best to get an early start at this super relaxing pool, which you get to by walking down a long flight of elegant steps.
Once at pool level, you realize this place feels like a Mediterranean palace with its stone floor and colonnades, shallow blue water, lush gardens, yellow umbrellas and all-white lounge chairs. Older kids frolic here for hours while mothers dote on tiny tots and Europeans of all shapes and sizes nap, read and order poolside food and drink service. C’est la vie, non?
Beyond the pool, The Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey is centrally located right on Admiralty Way, has its own award-winning Jer+ne Restaurant+Bar and always provides over-the-top service.
Classic Café Del Rey
Only a short couple of blocks from The Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey is Café Del Rey. This classic surf-and-turf eatery just celebrated 20 years as Marina Del Rey’s finest independent dining establishment.
Chef Daniel Roberts, who has recently completely renovated the menu, says this restaurant has morphed over the years, but has always remained a go-to destination for the Marina Del Rey community.
Sit by the picture windows for incredible marina and hillside views. While watching a seal bob up and down between yachts, we enjoyed Café Del Rey’s refreshing handmade cocktails (and a deep wine list) along with Chef Roberts’ signature seared foie gras (with accompanying mignonette sauce) atop a half dozen of the best oysters from around the world. We also enjoyed the light-as-air fried calamari with fennel and a lemon mustard aioli.
For mains, most stick with the seafood items such as a perfectly-roasted salmon filet or the flaky Dover sole with Israel couscous, marcona almonds, cherry tomatoes, shaved fennel salad and a spicy piquillo pepper puree.
Or, try the “chateau” steak. This rather odd dish combines perfectly well on the palate with its tender filet mignon, slab of rosemary-and-brown-sugar-braised bacon, truffle mashed potatoes, baby zucchini and zesty béarnaise sauce.
At meal’s end, ask Chef Roberts for his secret stash of bacon gelato (not kidding!). However, the marcona almond semifreddo with cherry port gastrique was one of the best desserts we have ever tasted.
Café Del Rey is definitely THE place to eat when visiting Marina Del Rey. Café Del Rey is open for lunch and dinner daily and also has brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
Back in our classic-meets-modern luxurious room at The Ritz-Carlton, we exhaled. And then we hit the club level lounge’s dessert presentation before bed. Standing on our own private balcony overlooking a spectacular ocean and mountain view, we realized Marina Del Rey is a magical place for relaxation and living the good life.
For more information about Marina Del Rey, visit www.VisitMarinaDelRey.com, www.facebook.com/visitmarinadelrey, www.twitter.com/marinadelrey_ca, or www.marinadelrey-ca.blogspot.com/; or stop by the Marina del Rey Visitors Center, 4701 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292. For group information and travel professionals, call 310-306-9900.
Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California. Follow her! @sheryllalexande
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