The Surfrider Malibu

The Surfrider Malibu stands as a distinguished "Michelin Key Selected property", offering guests an intimate and luxurious California beach house experience directly across from the iconic Surfrider Beach. Transformed from a 1950s motel, this 20-room boutique hotel has garnered significant praise for its design, exclusive amenities, and exceptional service, despite some recurring guest concerns.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Surfrider Malibu is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as a "wonderful" and "exceptional" stay. Review aggregates show ratings like 8.7 "Very good" from 387 verified ratings on KAYAK, a 9/10 rating on Trip.com, and many "Exceptional" scores on Booking.com. The hotel cultivates a "barefoot sophistication" and a "house party feel," aiming to make guests feel at home.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of The Surfrider Malibu:

• Location: Its prime spot directly on the Pacific Coast Highway, steps from Malibu Pier and Surfrider Beach, is a major highlight, offering breathtaking ocean views.
• Design & Vibe: The hotel's "pared-down and elegant" aesthetic, often described as "bohemian minimalism" or "cool coastal," resonates strongly with guests. The ambiance is often noted as "unimaginably cool yet un-intimidating".
• Rooftop Terrace: The exclusive guest-only rooftop bar and restaurant is a standout feature, celebrated for its stunning panoramic views of the Pacific, Malibu Pier, and famous surf breaks, providing an ideal spot for dining, drinks, and relaxation.
• Service: The friendly, attentive, and personable staff receive high praise for making guests feel welcomed and ensuring a comfortable stay.
• Amenities: Thoughtful amenities include complimentary morning coffee delivery, free-to-borrow custom surfboards, stand-up paddleboards, wetsuits, beach chairs, umbrellas, and a cozy library with board games.

3. Room Quality

The 20 rooms and suites at The Surfrider Malibu are designed to evoke the feeling of a personal Malibu beach house. They are characterized by:

• Comfort & Design: Rooms feature a neutral palette, reclaimed teak floorboards, custom-made teak beds, and modern-rustic furnishings from local designers, creating a "cool, clean and crisp" environment.
• Bedding & Bath: Guests can expect premium bedding with pillowtop beds and down comforters, luxurious Bellino linens, and spa-like bathrooms equipped with rain showers, Grown Alchemist amenities, and Parachute robes.
• Views & Balconies: Most rooms and suites offer private balconies, many with partial or full ocean views, some even featuring hammocks. Ground-floor rooms have private terraces with native plants.
• In-room Amenities: Rooms include minibars stocked with local treats, safes, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with premium cable channels and Netflix, and complimentary bottled water.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at The Surfrider Malibu, primarily at its exclusive guest-only rooftop restaurant and bar, is highly acclaimed.

• Restaurant Quality: The cuisine is described as "Coastal Californian with a worldly spirit," focusing on locally sourced, seasonal, organic, and sometimes biodynamic ingredients. Dishes are expertly prepared, with past guests raving about the "outstanding food" and "delicious and top-notch cuisine." Options range from light breakfast fare like egg white omelets and green juice to dinner items like skirt steak skewers and veggie tacos.
• Breakfast: Complimentary morning coffee delivery is available upon request. While some reviews indicate limited breakfast options in the past, more recent information highlights a "hearty breakfast" on the rooftop with fresh, organic ingredients. Cooked-to-order breakfast is available for a fee.
• Bar: The bar offers "farm-to-glass botanical inspired" handcrafted cocktails and features an exclusive "Owners Reserve" wine list.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Surfrider Malibu consistently receives high marks, with guests commending the staff's professionalism, warmth, and attentiveness.

• Guests frequently highlight the staff as "friendly and attentive", "nice and friendly", and going "above and beyond" to ensure a pleasant stay.
• The personalized approach, including hand-drawn welcome cards and daily surf reports, contributes to a feeling of being well taken care of.
• Staff are often praised for being knowledgeable about the local area and providing great suggestions.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Surfrider Malibu boasts an enviable location along the Pacific Coast Highway.

• Neighborhood & Attractions: It is ideally situated directly across from Surfrider Beach and within a short walk of popular attractions like the Malibu Pier and Malibu Lagoon State Beach. The hotel is also close to various shops and highly-rated restaurants.
• Transport: The closest major airport is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), approximately 23 miles southeast, with a drive typically taking around 40 minutes depending on traffic. Self-parking is available for a fee, and an electric car charging station is on-site.

7. Value & Pricing

The Surfrider Malibu is positioned as a luxury boutique hotel. Room rates can vary, with prices observed from around $258 to over $800 depending on the room type and booking platform.

• While some reviews mention concerns about value for money, many guests find the unique experience, exclusive amenities, and prime location to be worth the cost.
• The hotel was recently acquired for $38 million, equating to nearly $2 million per bedroom, reflecting its high-end positioning.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, some recurring issues have been noted by guests:

• Noise Levels: Due to its location on the Pacific Coast Highway, noise from nearby roads has been a concern for some guests, though the hotel has made efforts to minimize its impact.
• Room Size: A few reviews indicate that room sizes can be small. However, larger suites like the Malibu Suite Ocean View offer ample space.
• Ants: There have been isolated reports of ants in ground-floor rooms if food is left out.
• Rooftop Furniture Comfort: Mixed feedback has been reported regarding the comfort of the rooftop furniture.
• Limited Dining Options (Past): While the current dining is highly praised, some older reviews mentioned limited options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Sources

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