In short… One of the only hotels on prime beachfront in Malibu, so serene you almost forget you’re half an hour from central LA.
The surroundings… In the heart of Malibu just off the PCH, The Malibu Beach Inn has rooms so close to the beach you can practically swim off your balcony. Despite being so close to the highway it’s incredibly quiet—thanks to the sound of the waves—and you feel completely separated from the congestion of LA.
The vibe… The Malibu Beach Inn is the perfect place to wake up on your first day in LA. I flew in from London and arrived in the evening, and there was nothing better than waking up the next morning to sunrise and the ocean just outside my balcony. It’s incredibly chill, with only 47 rooms, intimate enough to feel personal and never crowded. Every room has an ocean view—the ultimate luxury here—and most look down over the beach and outdoor dining patio, with panoramic views down to Santa Monica and up to the famed Malibu Pier.
The rooms… The rooms have a beachy, homelike feel, with incredible views out to the sea, balconies, and lots of useful space. The bed was seriously one of the most comfortable I’ve ever slept on—Gregory Day, the property’s GM and president of hospitality for the hotel group said they spent a lot of time choosing these mattresses, and you can tell. He also noted that they use three different sheet colors throughout your stay, so watch for the colorful borders that change—such a nice touch.
The rooms have thoughtful in-room libraries—keep your eye out for Yolo!—and thoughtful amenities like Marshall speakers, games, etc. They were also one of the first properties in the US to carry Bamford products as the in-room toiletries.
The food & drink… During my stay, I had a delicious Saturday brunch with Gregory on the sun–filled terrace, making up for much lost UV after consecutive months in London. Thankfully he took the lead with ordering, cheekily starting us off with one of their brunch specialities, the donut tower—hard to tackle, but indulgent and delicious. The donuts are made by a renowned LA donut-ier and are brought in each weekend. We followed the donuts, as one does, with a light and delicious fried calamari, an incredible whipped ricotta made locally, and an amazing vongole—often hard to find outside of Italy. The food is light, fresh, and suits the setting—bonus points to the tableside dried oregano service, that was special!
The wellness… While there is no spa on property, the inn partners with CURE, just across the street. I wasn’t able to experience their wellness program, but they have a full spa menu (including a proper medical spa, doctors, etc.) and gym, and hotel guests are essentially granted full membership access throughout your stay. Thanks to the property’s location there’s lots of nearby hikes if you have a car, and beach walks are practically non-negotiable.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes! It’s a great family getaway from LA, with prime beach access and no need to shlep sand toys or towels—it’s just downstairs from the restaurants. Plus donuts!
Parting words… The Malibu Beach Inn is a peaceful introduction to the city (or escape from it), and one of the only hotels where you immediately plug into the easygoing West Coast vibe.
Date of stay… February 13th-14th, 2026
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