|
|
LODGINGS
Barnabey's Hotel / 1.5*
3501 SEPULVEDA BLVD. MANHATTAN BEACH; 310/545-8466 OR 800/552-5285
Step from laid-back Southern California into Merry Olde England at this
high-concept hostelry that surprises with dedicated attention to personal
comfort and service. Located just a mile from the beach but a world removed,
the hotel is shielded from busy six-lane Sepulveda Boulevard by privacy
walls, abundant foliage, and a clever design that focuses attention on
Barnabey's relaxing interior courtyard. It's easy to play along with the
Victorian manor house theme when you're surrounded by dark wood paneling,
ornate red gas lamps, quintessentially British oil paintings in wide gilded
frames, and plenty of polished brass and frilly floral decor. Guest rooms
have the rich masculine aura of a turn-of-the-century
library, complete with filled bookshelves. They're also exceedingly comfortable,
featuring fluffy comforters (the copper bed warmer hanging outside is
for looks only!), coffeemakers, and small bathrooms outfitted with towel-warming
racks, extra sundries for the forgetful, and pretty tile work. Deluxe
rooms sport a mantel-topped faux hearths and private balconies overlooking
the wisteria-draped patio. Refrigerators are available for any room. Despite
its size (120 rooms) and its popularity with business travelers, the hotel
successfully gives guests the sense of a boutique inn. There's a canopied
heated pool outdoors, and free shuttles to the airport, beach, and local
shopping malls.
The hotel's restaurant, Auberge, is an ornate Edwardian parlor with correspondingly
formal service. Once a bastion of heavy British favorites, the kitchen
now prepares a lighter, California-Mediterranean cuisine. They also offer
traditional afternoon tea, and a lavish Sunday Champagne brunch complete
with carving station, design-your-own omelets,
and mounds of fresh seafood on ice. $$-$$$; AE, DC, DIS, MC, V; no checks;
at Rosecrans Ave.
|