A chic stay in Manhattan Beach

By Kevin Pang | Tribune staff reporter

March 18, 2007

The Belamar, Manhattan Beach, Calif.

3501 Sepulveda Blvd.

Among the ultra-expensive ZIP codes in Southern California, 90266 -- Manhattan Beach -- is in the top-tier. This oceanside town, south of Los Angeles International Airport, was once named fourth most expensive town in the country by Money Magazine and is known among locals as the place where many Los Angeles Lakers live. Every August, professional beach volleyball players flock here by the thousands for the Manhattan Beach Open, the most prestigious tournament in the sport.

Mostly, Manhattan Beach is known for "The Strand" -- think beachside boardwalk with young rollerbladers zooming by. It's a lively, though often overcrowded mix of tanned bodies, chilled surfers and retirees wearing khaki shorts and flip-flops.

A mile inland is The Belamar, a three-story boutique hotel that's chic, modern, understated and a relative bargain for its location. It was reconceptualized in a $9 million renovation three years ago. According to the Web site, celebrities have been known to frequent the hotel: Matthew Fox (of TV's "Lost") and rapper 50 Cent have been sighted. No celebs around when we arrived, just a quiet and sleek hotel with whimsical touches, like oversized photos throughout of a Chihuahua named Lucy. It's the dog of the former owner's fiance -- so cute, thought the current owners, it stuck around.

CHECKING IN: After the complimentary valet parking, the glass door slides open to a bright and stylish lobby. After a two-minute, hassle-free check-in from the efficient hotel staff, I headed to my room on the third floor. Light jazz music filled the hallway, along with kitschy pictures of porcelain dolls. The Belamar doesn't take itself too seriously.

ROOMS: Of the 120 rooms and seven suites, I'm staying in No. 306, a Skyline room (slightly smaller than a Tranquility room, which faces into the hotel's courtyard). It features a king-size bed with four thick pillows, down comforter and 350-thread count linen. Warm and silky soft. The airy room was minimalist in decor and done up in a steel blue motif. On the desk was some stylish hotel stationery along with free high-speed Internet hookups. The 27-inch flat-screen television came in crystal clear, the CD player and the iron worked just fine, and a vintage chrome-like cradle telephone was a delightfully retro touch.

BATHROOM: Spotless, efficient, uncluttered with marble, marble everywhere. Adjustable lighting was a nice feature. Terrific-smelling Natura-brand toiletries, with thick and lavish cotton towels. The shower pressure in the tub adequate.

ROOM SERVICE: The hotel staff describes itself as the "Anything, Anytime team." Room service is 24/7/365, though the full menu from the hotel's restaurant, Vibe, is available only from 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

KID FRIENDLY: No obvious amenities for children, though a DVD player is available for the asking. Or, drop them off at the covered outdoor swimming pool -- look, there's a picture of that Chihuahua again!

PERKS & PEEVES: It's the thoughtful touches that made my stay enjoyable. Like what's included in the room rate: two bottles of water, a copy of Los Angeles magazine and USA Today, delivered to my door handle in the morning. Also for guests: chocolate chip cookies -- freshly baked on site -- in the mornings and green apples the rest of the day. Speaking of food, Vibe serves modern American fare such as braised short ribs and crab cakes with chili-mango sauce. And, the house-made Parmesan potato chips with red pepper dipping sauce, found at the laid-back Vibe Lounge Bar, are habit-forming.

BOTTOM LINE: For a Thursday night stay, I paid $179 plus 10 percent occupancy tax. Two nights later, I got the same Skyline room for $40 less. Rates vary by season, from $179 to $399 between June and September, and $139 to $299 during the off-season. For a posh town like Manhattan Beach, it's quite a deal. Several rooms are handicap accessible. 888-235-2627 or 310-750-0300; www.thebelamar.com