There’s a design and lifestyle boom finally afoot in oceanfront Santa Monica, CA. Anchoring this long overdue facelift since May is Sandbourne Santa Monica, a gleaming amalgamation of earthy design and elevated oceanside resort experiences in what was once Le Merigot Hotel. The hotel—which, like most of Icelandic architect Gulla Jónsdóttir’s creations, looks like it could have just sprung from the Mexican sands or the Mediterranean Sea—is 175 rooms worth of coastal bliss.

The boutique property celebrates all the style, wellness and beauty expected of Los Angeles: ocean views, easy access to the beach, an indoor/outdoor fitness center, and a sparkling pool with a handful of cabanas. There’s a private dog park for those who don’t want to leave their pooches at home while they enjoy the sunny California day and a terrace with firepits and plush couches for those who want to enjoy the California evenings as well. Next year, they’ll add a full-service wellness spa to increase the utterly relaxed experience of staying in this terracotta-accented retreat from urban chaos.

Sandbourne will also feature artists-in-residency, made up of a select group of ceramicists. Not only will artists the world over be able to display their art on the property, but guests can get in on the fun as well. The budding hotel will offer Ceramics by the Pool, a 45-minute pinch pot clay class taught by local artists. It’s a unique souvenir of a guest's time at—as Sandbourne clearly intends—a unique hotel experience.

Now, the hotel has opened its newest culinary attraction: Marelle, a sprawling semi-open air dining room that flows into a roomy beachview patio. The new restaurant is headed by chef Raphael Lunetta (formerly of Jiraffe and presently of his namesake restaurant, Lunetta), who delivers a simple yet effective menu inspired and backed by his mastery of Californian cuisine and fresh, local ingredients.

Marelle has the potential to be an all-day event with both a brunch and dinner service. The morning menu has mouth-watering options such as lemon ricotta pancakes and a shrimp and white corn-adorned crab cake, as well as brunch staples like avocado toast, huevos rancheros, and shakshuka.

Not to be outdone by the brunch menu, the dinner service boasts coastal essentials such as a Baja shrimp cocktail adorned with avocado, kohlrabi, and cilantro, a hamachi crudo drizzled with jalapeño kefir lime ponzu, and the quintessential crispy calamari. The entrée selection includes a lemon mushroom rigatoni and a grilled chicken dish elevated with polenta and summer peaches.

Beverage director Amanda Fewster keeps in step with the maritime atmosphere and food menus with creative cocktails. There’s the La Vie En Rosé, a bubbly combination of tequila, guava, lime and Aperol. The Seaside Spritz contains limoncello, vermouth, prosecco, and flamed herbs. For floral lovers, the Honey Bee presents a mix of mezcal, yuzu liqueur, and house-made lavender honey. As an added bonus, the cocktail menu heavily features local, female, and BIPOC-owned spirits brands.

With its curving wooden furniture, gauzy white curtains, an abundance of plants (both real and immortalized in wallpaper), and floor-to-ceiling wicker embellishments, Marelle is an aesthetic beachy dream.

Bookings at the Sandbourne Santa Monica are available here, and Marelle may be booked here as well.

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