The Best Hotels in and Around Marina del Rey, Los Angeles
![Enjoy pool time just steps from the marinas calm beach at Jamaica Bay Inn Marina Del Rey](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/20x11/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/jamaica-bay-inn-tapestry-by-hilton.webp)
It might literally mean “dock of the king” but for the many who choose to get away in Marina del Rey, it’s more like “king of the docks.” A man-made marina in Los Angeles dating back to the 1960s, it’s now North America’s largest small-craft harbor, home to approximately 5,000 boats, offering opportunities for paddleboarding, kayaking, yachting, cycling and whale watching. Despite being less than 30 minutes from downtown (and right by the airport), it’s home to some incredible birdlife, thanks to its proximity to the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Preserve. Whether you’re here for boating, birdwatching or simply chilling, these hotels in Marina del Rey are the best this royally good coastal destination has to offer.
Marina del Rey Hotel, for maritime chic
Hotel
![The edgeless pool area overlooking the boats at Marina del Rey Hotel](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/marina-del-rey-hotel.webp)
There’s certainly no getting away from the Marina here. It’s the view out of practically every window. This boutique hotel is a local landmark, dating back to the earliest days of the harbor. Recently restored after a major renovation, it’s now better than ever. Rooms and suites come with queen and king beds, and an air of maritime chic. Its restaurant, SALT, is known for its seafood and champagne brunches, while the heated pool is lined with day beds, completing the picture of yacht-set luxury.
The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey, for spa bliss
Hotel
![The large pool area with daybeds and a row of palm trees at the Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/the-ritz-carlton-marina-del-rey-d.webp)
You just know this is going to be the cream of the crop before you even walk in. Highlights include: locally caught seafood small plates at restaurant Cast and Plow; the spa’s signature Zen Harmony Phyto-Aromatic Body Treatment – an 80-minute bliss-fest massage; and chilling in a poolside cabana for the day, with complimentary sparkling wine and refreshments on tap. You can also charter a boat, take a sunset cruise, borrow a bicycle to explore the Strand (Marina del Rey’s promenade waterfront full of shops and cafes) or just stay in your pillow-top bed and order room service all day.
Marriott Marina del Rey, for business stays near LAX
Hotel, Chain Hotel
![The rooftop lounge area at Marriott Marina del Rey with panoramic views of Los Angeles and drinks ready for serving](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/marriott-marina-del-rey-d.webp)
This resort-style hotel covers all bases. For fun, there’s the outdoor swimming pool, indoor gym and seaside bar-restaurant, Sinder, with its theme nights and daily happy hour. For business travelers coming from LAX just 5mi (8km) away, there are ergonomic workspaces, various meeting rooms and event venues. In your room, you’ll find pillow-top mattresses, and views over the marina or over to Venice Beach. Tick, tick, tick.
Jamaica Bay Inn Marina Del Rey, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, for family vacations
Hotel
![The outdoor dining area overlooking the marina at Jamaica Bay Inn Marina Del Rey, Tapestry Collection by Hilton](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/jamaica-bay-inn-tapestry-by-hilton-c-e1637001679463.webp)
Of all the hotels in Marina del Rey, this boutique hotel from Hilton’s curated Tapestry Collection is the top pick for families. It’s located in a quiet area right on the Marina’s beach, nicknamed Mother’s Beach for its surf-free waters, picnic tables and playground. The hotel’s own outdoor pool is heated and fenced for safety. Family rooms are available, with two queen beds, or get two rooms with connecting doors. You can even bring your pooch, for a small cleaning fee. Fun for the whole family.
Inn at Playa del Rey, for prime birdwatching
Bed and Breakfast
![A beachy luxe living room overlooking the wetlands at Inn at Playa del Rey](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/inn-at-playa-del-rey-e.webp)
You have to blink when you learn that this charming guesthouse has received accolades for being one of the best urban inns in America. Yet the clapperboard building hardly seems urban; see the impeccable coastal environs of its location on the edge of Ballona Wetlands Eco Reserve, where you can watch herons preen while you have your morning coffee (binoculars provided). In fact, this inn is the best of both, allowing you to get easily into the bright lights of LA proper when you want, but giving you a retreat from them, too.
The Kinney – Venice Beach, for a hip rocker vibe
Boutique Hotel
![The hip outdoor bar area at the Kinney – Venice Beach with a pool and fairy lights](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/the-kinney--venice-beach-a.webp)
This Venice hotel is unabashedly aiming for the Millennial and Gen-Z crowd, with its colorful guess-the-rockstar murals and designed-for-Instagram neon signage. Luckily, its appeal goes far below the surface – there’s quirkiness galore here, from the vinyl record players to the “crash pad suites,” to the outdoor fire pit and ping-pong tables that create a community vibe in the centrally located Quad (even on chilly nights). All rooms come with pillow-top beds, huge 55” HDTVs and mini-fridges, for keeping your party supplies cold.
Hotel Erwin, for the sunset views from the rooftop bar
Hotel
![Popular rooftop bar at Hotel Erwin overlooking Venice Beach at dusk](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/hotel-erwin-d.webp)
Venice Beach needs no introduction, and nor does the Erwin, which has been doing its thing here for five decades. A 2019 renovation has polished up this gem to a high sheen. One notable highlight (literally) is the rooftop bar, High, which is popular for the stunning sunset views, craft cocktails and after-dark DJ sets. There’s no pool or fitness center, but guests can use Gold’s Gym nearby for free. Why not combine exercise with sightseeing on one of the hotel’s rentable Sole Bicycles? It’s just a 10-minute bike ride along the Marvin Braude Bike Trail to the heart of Marina Del Rey.
Venice on the Beach Hotel, for beachfront relaxation
Hotel
![View of Venice on the Beach Hotel on the Venice Boardwalk from the water with people taking selfies](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/venice-on-the-beach-hotel-d-e1637000710714.webp)
This boutique hotel couldn’t be more on the beach without literally being in the ocean, but while it’s close to all the action, it’s also a place of deep calm and relaxation. The emphasis here is on simple pleasures, from the pared-back, whitewashed decor, to the fire-pit tables on the deck, and the uber-comfy beach-facing lounge chairs, which basically beg you to pick up a book. Rooms come with fans, radios, beach towels and individual thermostats, so you can make sure your stay is just how you like it.
The Inn at Venice Beach, for an authentic Venice vibe
Hotel
![The exterior of the Inn at Venice Beach with a colorful mermaid mosaic on the facade](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/the-inn-at-venice-beach-s.webp)
Fronted by a 18ft (5.5m) mermaid mosaic, this hotel is hard to miss. It’s a charming little spot, filled with eclectic touches that nod to its Venice location, such as a framed 1950s swimsuit, vintage photos of bodybuilders and ornate blue glass chandeliers. It’s close to the Boardwalk and around 1mi (1.6km) from the Marina, and with 43 rooms and five two-story loft suites, its offering is relatively tiny compared to the big chain hotels. There’s no restaurant on site, even for breakfast, but there are coffeemakers and mini-fridges in rooms, and plenty of brunch options nearby.