Malibu Beach Inn is an intimate luxury boutique hotel located on the sands of Carbon Beach in Malibu, CA.

When living at the beach there are certain things one becomes accustomed to such as the soothing sound of the waves, cool and calming sea breezes, vibrant sunsets, and the laidback nature of coastal life. I currently don’t live near the water and am often homesick for the beach house I grew up in, so for my birthday all I wanted to do was enjoy a relaxing staycation near the water.

My destination of choice? Malibu Beach Inn.

Located directly on Malibu’s highly coveted Carbon Beach—a mile and a half-long stretch of sand with majestic homes and oceanfront estates also known as Billionaire’s Beach—Malibu Beach Inn is an intimate, upscale boutique hotel that makes for the perfect coastal getaway and barefoot luxury experience.

Malibu Beach Inn Helps Guests Get Better Rest With Sleep Number Smart Beds

A member of the distinguished Leading Hotels of the World, the seaside sanctuary offers unobstructed ocean views from throughout the property, and guests enjoy easy access to one of the best beaches in Malibu. The hotel offers opulent service, 47 well-appointed guestrooms, an award-winning restaurant, and a partnership with CURE Daily Spa, one of Malibu’s premier beauty and wellness spaces.

My birthday festivities began with lunch at Little Beach House Malibu followed by dessert and drinks at Nobu (both places are conveniently located less than a minute away from Malibu Beach Inn), then I checked in at the hotel. The moment I walked through the front doors and was greeted by the majestic ocean views, I instantly felt like I was home—back at my childhood beach house (but a much grander version).

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I noticed other guests checking in had surfboards strapped to the roofs of their cars, and a sign with the words “Beach Access” on it pointed to a closed door that was only accessible by registered guests with a keycard. Coastal-themed artwork decorated every wall and I loved the upscale yet relaxed vibe of the hotel. It felt like I was staying in a modern beachfront estate paired with the exquisite service that only a five-star hotel can provide.

My husband drove out after work to join me and during our stay we relaxed in our incredible oceanfront room, dined at the hotel’s Carbon Beach Club restaurant, and dipped our toes in the sand before going to bed—a gentle prelude to a good night’s sleep. The following morning I indulged in room service, a beach walk, and concluded my stay with a spa treatment at CURE Daily Spa—the perfect end to a lovely beach stay.

Read on to discover everything you need to know about Malibu Beach Inn so you can plan your next getaway.

The chic, coastal-inspired entrance to the hotel opens to ocean views which can be enjoyed throughout the property.

Why You’ll Love It

Expect stylish and beach-chic accommodations, thoughtful artwork by the Mani Brothers, panoramic ocean views, direct beach access, an award-winning restaurant and cocktail bar, close proximity to many Malibu landmarks and activities, curated experiences, outstanding service with attention to detail, a caring team that is dedicated to making your stay memorable, and rejuvenating treatments and cutting-edge services offered at the spa and medical facility directly across the street.

Beach lovers and water enthusiasts will enjoy being mere steps from one of the best beaches in Malibu with easy access to a wide array of water sports and activities including surfing, hiking, and horseback riding in addition to shopping, renowned cultural institutions like the Getty Villa and Adamson House Museum, and world-class dining options.

Malibu Beach Inn is especially ideal for couples seeking a romantic getaway (it’s the perfect backdrop for a proposal, celebrating an anniversary or a baby moon), solo travelers looking to relax and unwind in a peaceful coastal setting, and surfers who want to catch some waves. While there isn’t a kids’ club or kid-friendly amenities, families traveling with children and teens will enjoy the beach and close proximity to the Malibu Pier and other local attractions.

Malibu Beach Inn is also one of the Leading Hotels of the World.

Unique and colorful artwork is featured throughout the hotel and adds a playful touch to the atmosphere.

A collection of black-and-white beach photographs also decorate some of the walls.

Accommodations

Designed by Waldo Fernandez, Malibu Beach Inn’s 47 guestrooms and suites are stylish, comfortable, and beach-chic with warm coastal tones, natural textures and materials, and private balconies with stunning ocean views.

Amenities include fireplaces, spacious walk-in showers stocked with Bamford products, remote-controlled Toto toilets/bidets, Italian linens and luxurious custom made king-sized beds, wireless bluetooth speakers, digital entertainment systems, and well-appointed mini bars.

Accommodations also feature plenty of special details that are designed to enhance guests’ experience throughout their stay ranging from board games and ASSOULINE coffee table books to retro SMEG electric kettles, custom bathrobes, and more.

The hotel’s 47 rooms and suites include newly redesigned King Pier View guestrooms with views of the Malibu Pier and beach.

Malibu Beach Inn’s accommodations include:

King Pier View: These 400-square-foot guestrooms offer views of the Malibu Pier and Surfrider Beach with a private oversized balcony and a comfy sitting area with a slate-bordered fireplace.
King Premier Ocean Front: These 350-square-foot guestrooms offer oceanfront views with a private balcony and a comfy sitting area with a slate-bordered fireplace.
King Ocean Front Junior Suite: These 525-square-foot suites offer oceanfront views with a private triple balcony. It includes an extended living area with a custom pillow-top sofa sleeper that is separated from the luxurious bedroom space by a convenient pocket door.
Ocean Front Master Suite: The hotel’s most spacious and luxurious offering, these 600-square-foot suites offer floor-to-ceiling panoramic ocean views with a juliette balcony in the separate bedroom as well as a full private balcony in the living room. Another special aspect about these suites are the Sleep Number® i8 King beds, which feature innovative technology that enhances rest and relaxation including the absorption and release of excess heat, responding to movements and adjusting independently on each side, and demonstrating sleep quality with a personal Sleep IQ score, among others.

Hotel guests staying in the Master Suites enjoy quality sleep in Sleep Number Smart Beds, which feature innovative technology that enhances rest and relaxation.

All rooms include private balconies that overlook the Pacific Ocean and Malibu Pier.

We stayed in a King Premier Ocean Front guest room which overlooked the beach and ocean, as well as the Malibu Pier. The room had a comfy sitting area with a sofa and fireplace that was easily turned on with the flip of a switch. At night when the temperature had cooled off, I turned on the fireplace and basked in its warm glow while enjoying the cool ocean breeze through the open sliding door. It was pure heaven.

Our room also had two televisions—one above the fireplace and one across from the bed. We barely had the TV on during our stay because who needs it when you’ve got the ocean?

The weather was warm and sunny during our visit, so when we were in the room we spent the majority of our time sitting out on the balcony and enjoying the majestic ocean view. Upon his arrival after a busy day at the office, my husband’s stress levels quickly disappeared when he gazed out onto the beautiful blue sea. It was soothing and calming for both of us and felt like a beach screensaver that had come to life.

At night before bed, we put on our bathrobes and slippers and relaxed on the balcony while listening to the sounds of the crashing waves on the shore. The following morning, I had room service bring up a pot of coffee so that we could enjoy a peaceful moment together before my husband left for work. Needless to say, we definitely took advantage of the view during our stay!

During my stay I loved sitting out on my balcony and enjoying the beautiful view while listening to the waves.

I enjoyed early morning views of the undisturbed beach while the rest of the world was still asleep.

While our room was 350 square feet, it felt much bigger due to the way that everything was laid out. Malibu Beach Inn gets major props for innovative use of space and all of the lovely details that added the perfect touch to make us feel right at home.

There were various built-in shelves and storage areas throughout the room including wine storage that held multiple bottles. Next to the sitting area was a custom designed workstation with an ergonomic chair, and the bed and pillows were extremely comfortable—the perfect midway point between firm and soft.

We slept with our sliding door open so that we could enjoy the relaxing sounds of the ocean paired with the refreshing breeze. It didn’t take long for either of us to fall asleep and we would have slept in longer if my husband didn’t have to go to work the next day. I resisted sleeping in because I wanted to have coffee with him before he left and there’s something magical about catching the sunrise over the ocean before the rest of the world is awake.

Room amenities included a retro SMEG electric kettle, complimentary coffee K-cup pods, wine glasses and cups, and stylish coffee table books from ASSOULINE.

I also loved the way the bathroom was set up with a double sink, a remote-controlled Toto toilet and bidet with a heated seat, and my favorite part: the spacious walk-in shower. It was perfect for rinsing off any remnants of sand—a must at the beach!

The spacious shower was perfect for rinsing off after the beach and came stocked with Bamford products.

Another thoughtful and elegant touch came from Turndown service, which left a beautiful purple box wrapped in ribbon on our bed containing two delightful truffles from Vosges Haut-Chocolat, a gourmet chocolatier known for its exotic and creative flavors such as rose champagne, ceremonial matcha, and fig honey caramel. Absolutely delicious!

Turndown service included a box of truffles from gourmet chocolate company Vosges Haut-Chocolat.

Beach Access

One of the major highlights of staying at Malibu Beach Inn is its beach location and proximity from the ocean—34 steps to be exact. A private stairway leads down to the sandy shores below so that guests can go down anytime they want to go for a beach walk, swim or lounge on a beach chair under the hotel umbrellas. Depending on the tide and weather conditions, beach service is offered daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The long stretch of beach goes in two different directions—north to the Malibu Pier or south towards the residential end of the beach. If you keep walking past the houses, you’ll eventually make it to Little Beach House Malibu and Nobu—perfect for guests that have reservations at either and want to walk instead of drive.

For added convenience, the stairs also have a shower attachment for rinsing sand off after a day at the beach. The hotel really does think of everything when it comes to the comfort of guests!

Rooms at Malibu Beach Inn directly overlook a strip of coastline known as Billionaire’s Beach.

A set of stairs from the hotel lead directly down to the beach and include a shower attachment for rinsing sand off.

When the tide is low, guests can relax on a lounge chair or towel under a beach umbrella.

After my husband had left for work, I started my morning with a nice beach walk while the marine layer was still up. (It would later lift around noon to reveal another beautiful sunny day.) I headed south towards the more private part of the beach which is made up of residences, and aside from a local resident or two walking their dogs, I had the beach entirely to myself.

After walking past multiple homes, I’d reached Little Beach House Malibu and Nobu. Because I had a spa appointment in a bit, I turned back around to return to the hotel—otherwise I could have just kept on walking. Halfway back, my intuition told me to look down and I discovered a large spiral, conical shell sitting in the sand. It was multicolored with Mother of Pearl accents and was absolutely stunning.

In all my years of living at the beach, I’ve never found a shell like this and I consider it my lucky birthday shell. I took it home so that I could remember my incredible stay at Malibu Beach Inn for the years to come.

The beach is a popular walking spot for Malibu residents and hotel guests alike.

During my morning walk I found a beautiful spiral, conical shell on the sand—a gem of a find!

Cuisine

Aside from room service, Malibu Beach Inn has one restaurant that provides everything you need during your stay. Whether you’re seeking an upscale dinner, business lunch, casual breakfast or cocktails at sunset—Carbon Beach Club is the hotel’s signature dining experience that has it all.

The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor dining depending on what you’re in the mood for. The outdoor terrace overlooking the beach is a premium spot for enjoying a meal, especially when the weather is nice, but the interior of the restaurant is just as charming. It has a cozy vibe with a fireplace, blankets and pillows, and large windows that showcase the ocean view.

Inspired by the Pacific and Mediterranean coasts, the seasonal land and sea menu at Carbon Beach Club showcases fresh, locally-sourced ingredients from One Gun Ranch and local farmers’ markets. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner and has special menus for each.

There’s also a bar area where you can sit or order a drink from the expansive beverage menu that includes cocktails with fun names like the Olivia Newton John (dry rum, strawberry, pineapple, and lime), an impressive wine list, beer, and mocktails as well. Cocktails are prepared by Carbon Beach Club’s award-winning barman and wines are hand selected by the sommelier.

Carbon Beach Club is the hotel’s on-site restaurant that serves daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The restaurant interior features stylish artwork and comfortable details including teak floors and calming blue-gray tones.

Guests can enjoy a cocktail prepared by the hotel’s award-winning barman or a glass of wine hand selected by the sommelier.

Carbon Beach Club features an upscale yet relaxed vibe and is the ideal setting for celebrating any occasion.

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner outside on the terrace at Carbon Beach Club, where we caught a beautiful sunset while sipping on wine and rosé. The service was excellent and our appetizers and entrees were served at a good pace—we didn’t have to wait long for our food.

The dinner menu included a variety of sea dishes such as a seafood tower, oysters, grilled octopus, and Alaskan king crab legs, among others. Because it was summer, there were a variety of refreshing options such as marinated watermelon, grilled avocado, and stone fruit salad.

We started with an order of calamari and the sheep’s milk ricotta dip mixed with olive oil and maldon sea salt, which came with slices of fresh grilled sourdough bread. We were huge fans of both.

For our mains, my husband ordered the paella with salmon, shrimp, scallop, squid, chicken, chorizo, and saffron rice, which was very flavorful. I was in the mood for pasta so I went with the spaghetti al polpette that came with beef and pork meatballs, garlic, basil, and parmigiano reggiano—it hit the spot. That was ample food so we didn’t order any sides, but the truffle fries and crispy Brussels sprouts certainly looked tempting.

No matter how full I am, I always manage to save some room for dessert. For my birthday, our waiter brought out panna cotta with a candle in it, and then we opted to split an affogato with double shot espresso poured over vanilla gelato.

That was all we had room for, but the dessert menu had other tasty items like the deep dish chocolate chip cookie and the Caramel Beach Club, which has five scoops of vanilla gelato, caramel corn, peanuts, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream. I’m definitely trying that next time!

The restaurant’s outdoor terrace offers panoramic ocean and beach views.

One of the highlights of our dinner was the sheep’s milk ricotta dip with olive oil, maldon sea salt, and grilled gjusta sourdough bread.

My husband Eric and I couldn’t resist taking an obligatory sunset photo while dining at Carbon Beach Club.

Room Service

The next morning I opted to enjoy room service as a fun treat. There isn’t a printed menu in the room, but the hotel provides a QR code that guests can scan with their phones to view the room service menu. I ordered the steel cut oatmeal which came with sides of dried fruit, blueberries, and pistachio—a nice change from the standard raisins and bananas that you’ll find at most hotels.

I also ordered a side of bacon with a poached egg along with fresh pressed orange turmeric juice. The breakfast menu featured a lot of great options including avocado toast, a soft scramble egg sandwich, lobster omelette, basket of pastries, and more.

Room service was fast and within 20 minutes of ordering over the phone, I was already enjoying my meal from the comfort and privacy of my own balcony while observing the busy lineup of surfers out in the water just north of the pier. A spectacular morning indeed!

I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start my morning than with room service and ocean views.

Spa & Wellness

Malibu Beach Inn offers complimentary yoga classes for hotel guests upon request (depending on the instructor’s availability). Class can be held on the beach or in one’s room and it is recommended to put in requests as far in advance as possible to ensure availability of the instructor.

While the hotel doesn’t have a spa on its premises, it does have a partnership with CURE Daily Spa, which is located directly across the street. Accessible via crosswalk, it’s a short walk from the hotel and is a state-of-the-art wellness destination that was founded by board certified physician Dr. Lisa Benya and her husband, Michael McCauley.

What’s unique about CURE is that they offer a combination of rejuvenating spa treatments and cutting-edge medical services that are designed to improve physical health and mental well-being. Their long list of services includes massages and facials, hair services in their salon, acupuncture, chiropractic care, med spa treatments like injectables and lasers, IV therapy, brain mapping and cognitive testing, and much more. Check out their complete menu of services.

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CURE also offers personal training sessions, group fitness classes, and offers different levels of membership depending on your personal health and wellness goals and needs. CURE members also receive access to their exclusive clubhouse amenities, which include a private screening room and relaxation lounge, co-working and educational spaces, meeting rooms, and more.

During my stay at Malibu Beach Inn, I visited CURE to try one of their services. Read all about my recent spa experience which includes details about amenities, insider tips, and more.

CURE Daily Spa is located across the street from the hotel and offers a wide range of beauty and wellness services including cutting-edge treatments.

Nearby Attractions

Due to its prime location, Malibu Beach Inn is near many local landmarks and attractions including popular restaurants, shopping, cultural institutions, and more. Nearby places to check out include Nobu, Malibu Farm Cafe and Malibu Farm restaurant, Getty Villa, Adamson House Museum, Aviator Nation, Nobu Ryokan Malibu, and more. Many of them are within walking distance while others are a short drive away by car.

The hotel can also help curate a variety of special on-site and off-site experiences and packages for guests including surf lessons, and private wine tasting, among others.

Nobu

One of the hottest spots in Malibu, this modern beachfront dining destination from Iron Chef Nobu Matsuhisa is known for its chic waterfront setting and innovative menu. The perfect place for celebrating a special occasion, date night or brunch at the beach, the menu features a variety of cold and hot items including fresh sushi and sashimi, hand cut rolls, seafood dishes, as well as the popular 8-course omakase menu.

Reservations must be made a month in advance but if you are in the area and happen to walk in during a less busy time, you might be able to snag a table or a spot at the bar. It’s a short walk from Malibu Beach Inn so you can enjoy a nice stroll on the beach en route to dinner.

Nobu Malibu is located just a short walk away from Malibu Beach Inn.

Little Beach House Malibu

This exclusive, members-only social club is part of the Soho House Group but is a separate membership. Designed as a local club for the creative community in Malibu, the stunning oceanfront space has a bar and restaurant, outdoor terraces, and event space—all set against the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Note: to visit the club, you have to be a member or a guest of a member.

Malibu Pier

The iconic Malibu Pier is located just north of Malibu Beach Inn and is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The city’s most recognizable landmark with a history that dates back to 1905, the pier is a popular spot for dining, surfing, fishing, and viewing dolphins and whales.

The pier has two restaurants, Malibu Farm and Malibu Farm Cafe, which offer ocean views and serve fresh, organic, and local cuisine. Shop an eclectic selection of gift items and beach souvenirs at the Ranch at the pier, a general store that carries all sorts of fun finds such as Malibu-themed merchandise, beach accessories, and more.

No permits are required to fish at the pier and if you plan on fishing, you can purchase fishing permits and report cards at the Ranch.

The Malibu Pier is a short distance from the hotel and includes numerous restaurants and shops.

Insider Tips

24-hour valet is available at the hotel and costs $39 per night for each vehicle.
Complimentary Wi-Fi access is available for guests including unlimited access to New York Times and Financial Times’ websites.
Rooms included complimentary luggage racks, bathrobes and slippers, toiletries and dental care items, coffee and tea, board games, and waters with turndown service.
Dry cleaning services are offered Monday through Friday with same-day delivery if received before 8 a.m.
Car service is available for guests and they can choose from a sedan, SUV or EV (advance noticed is required).
24-hour in-room dining is available with a limited menu between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Beach service is offered daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. depending on the tide and weather conditions (limited to registered hotel guests only).
Pack a swimsuit if you plan to go for a dip in the ocean (no lifeguards are on duty so swim at your own risk).
Ice machines are located opposite the elevator on the second and third floor.
CURE Daily Spa is located directly across the street and can be accessed via crosswalk; its hours are Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Groups hosting meetings and events can reserve the hotel’s Boardroom by the Sea, an oceanfront space with on-site catering services, as well as host a gourmet dinner or cocktail hour at Carbon Beach Club.

The boutique retails a variety of items including themed hotel merchandise.

When checking in and out at the guest reception desk, complimentary fresh baked chocolate chip cookies are available for guests to enjoy. They’re individually packaged, which makes for convenient consumption while in the car. I certainly enjoyed mine on the drive home!

The hotel also retails a variety of items, including themed merchandise and beach accessories, which are prominently displayed in two glass cabinets located to the left of the front entrance. They also sell sunscreen and other personal care items in case you forgot to pack some for your stay.

As I drove out the exit gate and turned onto PCH, I felt refreshed and rejuvenated after my birthday stay at Malibu Beach Inn. It was exactly what I needed, and the next time I find myself missing the beach and needing a little coastal getaway, I know exactly where to go.