Best of the Beach Hospitality 2024
Resort
Terranea
Located on the edge of the water on 102 oceanfront acres on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Rancho Palos Verdes, the Mediterranean-inspired luxury resort offers top-of-the-line dining, a relaxing spa, and 270-degree panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
“You get the benefits of traveling to a fancy resort far away, but you only drive 20 minutes,” Torrance resident Dan Durbin said.
For his wife Emily Durbin, The Spa at Terranea is the biggest draw.
“It’s like no other spa because it has beautiful views and a private pool, and the amenities are all top of the line,” Emily said.
With dining options such as the high-end restaurant Mar’sel, as well as the edge-of-the-cliff local favorite, Nelson’s, Terranea features offerings for resort-goers as well as locals who just want to grab a drink.
The eco-friendly resort occupies just one-quarter of its 102-acre site. It was built with the goal of causing minimal impact on the coastline and preserving and improving local wildlife habitats. Instead of chlorinated water, its four pools use saltwater, which is better for the environment and healthier for guests. The golf course offers biodegradable golf tees, and hybrid and low-emission vehicles are used for on-site services.
They have pools designated just for adults and others featuring child-friendly amenities that include a kids club.
Terranea Resort
100 Terranea Way
Rancho Palos Verdes
310-494-7891
Falconer James Andrade and his hawk Richter patrol The Beach House Hotel in Hermosa Beach each week to keep away pesky seagulls. Photo by Kevin Cody
Hotel
Beach House Hermosa Beach
The Beach House on the Hermosa Strand next to Noble Park, the former site of the Biltmore Hotel from the ’20s era, has been a big part of the community for 25 years.
“It’s a coastal escape where people go to disconnect and reconnect with nature,” General Manager Cara Marshall-Bryan said. Featuring 96 studio suites ranging from $350 to $700, Beach House’s luxury amenities keep families coming back year after year.
“It’s about luxury relaxation,” Marshall-Bryan said. “The ambiance is very laid-back and inviting. We have an unbelievably welcoming staff.”
Beach House also features an event space that has hosted many community events over the years, including Chamber of Commerce and city-sponsored meetings.
“We’re very much into donating and making sure that we are doing our part for the community, and it’s a great hotel,” she said. “It’s a luxury beach hotel right on the water that’s warm and friendly and inviting.”
Each room features a king-sized bed, and most have a partial or full view of the ocean. The rooms are designed so guests can lie in their beds and look at the ocean. The rooms include a fireplace, kitchenette, living area, and a complimentary continental breakfast.
“We’re right on The Strand,” she said, adding that you can’t stay closer to the beach anywhere else in the South Bay.
Beach House
1300 The Strand
Hermosa Beach
(310) 374-3001