Most people think of a hotel as the place where people from out of town find a bed for the night, handy when you have visitors but not a place where locals are likely to set foot. Most hotels are indeed like that, but some have the right combination of location, style, and amenities so that they become a center for the community. Manhattan Beach’s first downtown hotel has become the place where locals celebrate weddings and other events, have a bite to eat at the terrace restaurant, and enjoy a sophisticated cocktail in surroundings to match. They rent rooms too, and they’re beautiful ones, all with Jacuzzi tubs, balconies, and all the amenities you’d expect from a luxury resort. Shade Hotel fulfills different purposes for locals and overnight guests, and does both so well that it’s hard to remember when it wasn’t there. 1221 N Valley Dr, Manhattan Beach, (310) 546-4995, mb.shadehotel.com.
