Rooftop pool.
THE PLACE
Shade Redondo Beach is the first new build on Redondo Beach in decades and it's the only luxury boutique hotel in the area.
THE LOCATION
Redondo Beach has had its ebb and flow with popularity over the years, but the area has undergone a revitalisation and people are talking. Shade Redondo Beach, on the King Harbor waterfront, is spearheading the project, with a slew of new developments (including wide pedestrian and bike paths, a small swimming beach, and plenty of shops and restaurants) all planned for the coming years.
THE SPACE
The sleek exterior lines of Shade Redondo Beach continue inside. Furnishings are understated and elegant and there's plenty of space. There's room to breathe in the lobby, the corridors are wide and airy, and the transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces are smooth. The hotel is spread out across two buildings: one houses the guest rooms and the rooftop pool, while the second is home to Sea Level restaurant on the ground floor and event spaces on the second and third floors.
THE ROOM
Butter browns, russets, chestnuts and beiges make up the base colour palette, with shades of blue slipped in through artworks (modern creations by local artists), pillows, curtains and the carpeted floor – a nod to the sea just metres away. The neat colour assemblage has a calming effect, further accentuated by the clean-lined furnishings. A total of 54 rooms are spread out over three floors, and my ground floor room has a patio that looks out onto the boat-studded harbour. Sunsets here are gorgeous and I spend most of my time chilling out in the soaking tub on the patio (you read right) or relaxing on the lounge (every room has a separate lounge area), from where I can see the water through the glass sliding doors.
THE FOOD
The food at Sea Level is remarkably good (book ahead as it's popular with non-guests too). There's crispy chicken coated in sesame honey dressing, served alongside a creamy ranch sauce; delicately sliced tuna crowned with shaved jalapenos; a beautiful macadamia-crusted barramundi fillet atop a fragrant chickpea concoction. I can only fit in one dessert after many main courses (I did share) and the black-bottom chocolate pot de crème is my poison of choice. The velvety emulsion is delightfully rich and creamy, capped with salt flakes and almond toffee wafers.
STEPPING OUT
You've got the wharf at your doorstep for pleasant ambles and the hotel offers complimentary bike hire. Riviera Village, a hub of restaurants and shops, makes for a nice spot of shopping, and, in true LA style, there are plenty of yoga studios, fitness centres and day spas around. Also, the hotel is located only 12 kilometres from LAX, so it's an ideal option for short city stays.
THE VERDICT
Stylish and sleek, Shade Redondo Beach is setting the bar high for new contenders.
HIGHLIGHT
In some of the rooms there is a soaking tub on the balcony (with a privacy screen), so you can relax and watch the world go by.
LOWLIGHT
Aqua Deck – the rooftop pool – wasn't quite completed when I visited. Now open, it's a highlight for next time.
ESSENTIALS
655 North Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, California, US. Standard rooms from USD$200 See rb.shadehotel.com
Tatyana Leonov was a guest of Shade Redondo Beach.
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