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Santa Monica has a beautiful new property right on the beach.
The Sandbourne Santa Monica, part of the Autograph Collection, opened earlier this summer on Ocean Avenue overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Formerly Le Merigot Santa Monica, it offers 175 guest rooms (starting at $459 per night) and suites in beachy tones and textures inspired by the sand and sea. Famed Icelandic architect Gulla Jónsdóttir, known for her work with restaurants Esperanza in Manhattan Beach and Palmilla in Newport Beach, has created a ceramic and teak-filled oasis focused on the five senses and scented with a signature scent from Bio Alchemy.
The Sandbourne also offers an extensive art program, including a mural by Guerin Swing and opportunities for guests to participate in the creative process. “Art and creativity are a big part of the ethos at the Sandbourne,” says General Manager Jessica Rincon. “We have an ‘Artist in Residency’ program with ceramic artists in our lobby and, separately, our free weekly pinch pot clay class every Saturday, exclusively for our hotel guests.”
There are also a number of offerings that are more akin to living in a luxury condo than a vacation destination. Convenient amenities include an indoor and outdoor fitness center, electric vehicle chargers, and ever-popular fire pits on the lush, expansive patio. There’s also an on-site dog park, a nightly smudging ritual, and, most intriguingly, a beehive.
sandbournesantamonica.com, from $459/night; rooms also available on expedia.com, hotels.com and booking.com.
The Sandbourne Santa Monica Hotel.
Rob Benson
The lobby of the Sandbourne Santa Monica.
Rob Benson
“Sandbourne is designed to welcome a wide range of guests, offering a unique blend of coastal tranquility and vibrant city living,” says Rincon. “Whether you’re a traveler seeking thoughtfully designed spaces, an art lover who appreciates our artful aesthetic and sensory experiences, or someone seeking direct beach access and upscale amenities like a heated pool and state-of-the-art fitness center, Sandbourne has something for everyone.” A new full-service wellness spa will also open in 2025.
Marelle Restaurant at Sandbourne Santa Monica is helmed by Chef Raphael Lunetta.
Stan Lee
The Sandbourne’s on-site restaurant, Marelle, was also designed by Jónsdóttir. It continues the ceramic theme, with handcrafted hanging lamps designed by Jónsdóttir and L’Aviva Home and made in Oaxaca, Mexico. Marelle features California coastal cuisine and is helmed by Santa Monica native chef Raphael Lunetta of Santa Monica restaurant Lunetta. Dishes include hamachi crudo with jalapeño kaffir lime ponzu, jidori chicken on stone polenta with roasted red peppers, summer peaches and shishito peppers, and California sea bass grilled in banana leaves.
The bar program, curated by beverage director Amanda Fewster, highlights spirits from local BIPOC and women-owned brands. Cocktails are quirky and colorful, perfectly illustrated by “La Vie En Rosé,” a twist on the classic Paloma served in a bespoke clay cup with a pair of rose-tinted glasses for guests. But in the tranquil fantasy world of the Sandbourne, there seems to be no need for mood-enhancing hues.
Lobby Terrace at Sandbourne Santa Monica.
Rob Benson
