The Skydeck at Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach, California
Made in the Shade
In the summer of 2005, downtown Manhattan Beach’s first hotel opened its doors to the picturesque beachfront community in Southern California. Adjacent to dining and shopping destination Metlox Plaza (a former pottery factory that produced the ceramic sign for Pantages Theater in Hollywood), Shade Hotel is an upscale property conveniently located within walking distance of the pier and beach, and just fifteen minutes from Los Angeles International Airport. The area is known for its beauty – it’s even nicknamed the “Pearl of the South Bay” and has been used as a filming location for numerous movies and television shows, including “Jerry Maguire,” “Point Break,” “The O.C.” and “90210.”
With just 33 rooms and five suites, the small, two-story boutique hotel provides an intimate setting, allowing for a personalized experience. From entrepreneur/restaurateur/hotelier Michael Zislis (The Strand House, ROCK’N FISH), Shade Hotel has made it a goal to deliver top-notch service in a new luxe ecosystem to ensure guests have a memorable stay.
The décor reflects the surrounding scenery, with sky blue, sandy beige and dark wood accents throughout. The spacious guest rooms contain all the amenities one would need (including free Wi-Fi), as well as added creature comforts such as a large Tempur-Pedic bed with luxurious Mascioni linens and goose down duvet, Pillow Library with seven pillows in each room, two-person Sanijet hydrotherapy tub with color therapy lighting system, Heat & Glo Cyclone gas fireplace, high ceilings, Lavasso espresso machine and a 32-inch TV with DVD/CD player. Guests rooming alone (or even couples) can enjoy the open design of the bathroom, with optional Japanese shoji screens for others. There are five categories of rooms, including an Executive Studio Suite, which offers conveniences for extended-stay guests such as a separate dining/living room with a dining table, built-in desk area with a printer and fax machine and expanded wet bar with a sink, refrigerator and microwave.
Guests can stop by Shade’s lobby restaurant and bar, zinc@shade, for contemporary cuisine and small plates, as well as craft cocktails and 40-plus wines by the glass. Seating options include the bar, low lounge tables or the outdoor patio. Or soak up the superb SoCal weather at the Skydeck, a rooftop bar with a plunge pool. Guests can also enjoy a daily complimentary breakfast buffet, served every day from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., as well as 24-hour room service.
Locals and visitors alike partake in beach activities such as surfing, volleyball, bike cruising and good, old-fashioned sunbathing. Complimentary bicycles are available from the hotel for exploring the local scene or taking the bike path south to Redondo Beach or north to Marina del Rey. Guests also have complimentary access to Equinox Fitness Club (approximately three miles away), and a full range of spa services (as well as in-room treatments) from Trilogy, Shade’s spa partner, located adjacent to the hotel.
Shade Hotel offers an ideal SoCal location in the heart of Manhattan Beach Village, just 22 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles. Although located in one of the most expensive cities to live in on the California Coast, Shade Hotel’s rates are reasonable enough to allow travelers to enjoy their vacations without breaking the bank – allowing for visits to L.A.’s many attractions. So whether in need of just a relaxing vacation by the sea or a quiet base from which to discover the City of Angels without all the hustle and bustle, travelers can find a happy medium in Shade.
Shade Hotel
1221 N. Valley Dr.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310-546-4995
866-742-3377
www.shadehotel.com
Related Content:
Shade Hotel review on GAYOT.com
zinc@shade restaurant review on GAYOT.com
Los Angeles 72-hour vacation guide on GAYOT.com
The Best of GAYOT’s Los Angeles
GAYOT’s Top 10 Boutique Hotels in Los Angeles
Search for Los Angeles hotels on GAYOT.com
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