WHERE WE WENT: Marina Del Rey Hotel

A few weeks ago Brennan and I decided to go on a staycation to the Marina del Rey Hotel for a little R&R. Since Brennan’s weekends are Monday’s & Tuesday’s, we love to get out of the city as much as we can because hotels are typically less expensive on those days, and they’re always slightly less crowded. It’s a win-win!

I’ve been going to SALT (the restaurant at Marina Del Rey Hotel) since I moved to LA in 2014. Their happy hour is one of my favorite on the westside, and nothing beats sitting along the water next to the fireplace with your favorite glass of wine in hand, and Blue Crab dip & Mezze platter in front of you.

They also have an incredible breakfast / brunch menu that I cannot recommend enough. Please note: they have a Bloody Mary bar that rivals any bloody I’ve ever had. ALSO – CAN WE TALK ABOUT THESE CINNAMON ROLLS TOPPED WITH ROSES?! I dream about them.

Despite having visited the hotel for years, this was my first experience staying overnight and it was nothing short of perfection.

For starters – I’ve never slept in a more comfortable bed. It was like sleeping on a cloud. SO incredible.

My absolute favorite feature of Marina Del Rey hotel is the pool. It’s the perfect size and nestled along the marina with stunning boat views, surrounded by palm trees. There were also a handful of cabanas that made it perfect for lounging in the shade or catching up on reading / emails poolside.

If you’re looking for an activity aside from lounging and living your best life, the hotel also has beach cruisers for rent which is a huge plus. You can bike around the marina to bar hop / try neighboring restaurants (our personal favorite is Cafe Del Rey – honestly THE BEST), or if you’re feeling brave, you can bike down to South Bay to have lunch in Manhattan beach. There’s a ton of cute boutiques on the Main Street, and the beach is amazing. If that’s too far, Playa del Rey is also SO cute and quaint – definitely a sleepy beach down that not too many people hang out in unless you’re local to the area. Check out Bacari PDR (they serve Nosotros tequila so you know we love it!) or Playa Provisions. Also, Salerno Beach is incredible for authentic Italian.

Needless to say, playing tourist in your own town is not only a fun way to fall back in love with your neighborhood, but it’s also a great way to force yourself to relax and take time to unplug. Since we were so close to home, it didn’t feel like we were necessarily on vacation, but it did feel like all we had to do was lounge by the pool, turn off all the thoughts that cloud our minds on a day to day basis, and enjoy the silence together.

10/10 recommend Marina Del Rey Hotel if you’re planning a trip to LA anytime soon 🙂