By { Misty Milioto
The new westdrift Manhattan Beach—the first Autograph Collection hotel to debut in Los Angeles—inspires guests to unleash their imagination. Taking cues from Manhattan Beach (a charming and sophisticated beach town named by a New Yorker after winning a coin toss), the luxury hotel combines top-notch design with amenities and culinary offerings that are reflective of both the West and East coasts. Named after the westerly winds that famously swept sand over the Manhattan Beach boardwalk, westdrift sits upon 26 acres of land in the South Bay just four miles from Los Angeles International Airport, one mile from the beach and walking distance to premier shopping and dining at The Point. This haute haven, which opened in March 2018, boasts 393 coastal-infused luxury guest rooms (including 112 with private balconies, plus 14 suites); a signature indoor-outdoor restaurant dubbed Jute Coastal Bar + Kitchen; a 9-hole, par-3 golf course; an outdoor pool with intimate cabanas; a CrossFit-inspired fitness center; and is pet friendly.
Featuring impeccable design elements, it’s no wonder that westdrift was a 2019 winner in the hospitality category of the 49th Los Angeles Architectural Awards. The creative masterminds behind the destination-inspired design are San Francisco-based EDG Design with Theresa Fatino Design as the design consultant. Designed to mirror the historic Manhattan Beach pier, the stunning lobby offers a cause for pause with a custom Argentine driftwood reception desk framed by wooden columns with metal accents. The beach-like palette of soft neutral tones and pops of navy blue, plus sea-glass light fixtures, mixes and mingles with an East Coast aesthetic, with other elements such as driftwood; bold, modern lines; natural textures; and tailored details. Also striking are the commissioned paintings throughout the property and in guest rooms by Sausalito-based photorealist Eric Zener, who is celebrated for his elemental water paintings.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s open floor plan leads to the signature Jute Coastal Bar + Kitchen—so named after the strong, raw fiber used for making rope, as a nod to westdrift’s coastal design. Examples include the woven chairs throughout the lobby space and the string of flags above the bar. The name also implies the coming together of friends and family, in a sort of woven tapestry. The indoor-outdoor restaurant offers a communal-focused dining experience with a bi-coastal inspired menu and an impressive cocktail program. It also features a 360-degree bar and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the sprawling golf course, making for a bright and airy dining experience.
The hotel also is home to more than 35,000 square feet of multifaceted indoor-outdoor event space, including 18 meeting rooms, the 6,800-square-foot ballroom (dubbed Loftlight thanks to the soaring 17-foot ceilings) and the 8,600 square-foot garden level event space, ShoreAcre. As such, westdrift is an idyllic spot for everything from weddings to corporate retreats.
Guests also have access to blue-sky beach cruisers for exploring the area, thanks to westdrift’s partnership with Venice Beach-based Solé Bicycles. The bikes feature chevron accents and a woven basket, also acting as the ultimate photo prop. Outdoor lawn games, such as shuffleboard, croquet and corn hole, also offer a touch of nostalgic charm. Guest rooms from $259 per night, 1400 Parkview Ave., Manhattan Beach, 310.546.7511, westdrift.com