Sandbourne Santa Monica, Los Angeles
Bohemian Minimalism Where Art, Ocean, and Architecture Meet
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● Icelandic architect Gulla Jónsdóttir transformed a dated beachfront hotel into one of Santa Monica’s most refined contemporary retreats.
● Sculptural interiors, artist residencies, and immersive craftsmanship make creativity part of the guest experience.
● A calming palette of natural materials, ocean views, and thoughtful wellness creates a true five-senses escape.
A Beachfront Hotel, Completely Reimagined
Overlooking Ocean Avenue and just moments from Santa Monica Pier, Sandbourne Santa Monica has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once known as Le Merigot, the rather anonymous 1990s hotel has been reborn as an elegant coastal retreat within Marriott’s Autograph Collection, guided by the vision of Icelandic architect Gulla Jónsdóttir. Rather than creating another luxury beach resort, Jónsdóttir conceived the hotel as a sensory experience inspired by Santa Monica itself—where urban energy meets the calm rhythm of the Pacific Ocean. The result is understated, artistic, and deeply connected to its surroundings.
Design That Engages Every Sense
Arrival immediately feels different. Guests walk beneath elegant European-style arches while the hotel’s bespoke sandalwood-floral fragrance drifts from handcrafted bronze incense vessels. Inside, the soaring triple-height lobby is filled with daylight, where sculptural white concrete columns, hand-carved plaster surfaces, alabaster-toned stone, woven cane, and terracotta accents create an atmosphere of effortless calm. Behind the reception desk, a striking installation by local artist Guerin Swing transforms recycled Santa Monica Fire Department hoses into a contemporary artwork, celebrating craftsmanship, sustainability, and the city’s history. Every material feels tactile. Every space invites you to slow down.
Where Hospitality Becomes a Gallery
Art is woven naturally into the hotel rather than simply displayed. The lobby gallery showcases works by artists Sabine Blanchard and Patrick Montagnac, curated by Paris-based Louis Dimension Gallery, while ceramic artist Patrick Johnston serves as the hotel’s first artist-in-residence, creating pieces on-site that appear throughout the property. Guests can even participate in pottery workshops beside the pool, reinforcing Sandbourne’s belief that creativity should be experienced rather than merely observed.
Rooms Framed by Ocean Light
The guestrooms continue Jónsdóttir’s restrained design language. Soft sand-colored palettes, bespoke furniture, Atelier Gulla wool-and-silk rugs, sculptural lighting, and natural textures create interiors that feel simultaneously minimalist and warm. Large patio doors invite abundant daylight inside while framing views toward the Pacific Ocean or the surrounding gardens. Rather than competing with the scenery, the rooms quietly enhance it, allowing the California coastline to remain the true focal point.
Coastal Dining with Character
The hotel’s signature restaurant, Marelle—named after the “star of the sea”—offers a contemporary interpretation of coastal California cuisine under Santa Monica chef Raphael Lunetta. While the lobby remains light and airy, Marelle introduces a moodier atmosphere through rich terracotta walls, sculptural plaster forms, handcrafted ceramic lighting created in Oaxaca, and dramatic Brutalist-inspired windows framing the ocean beyond. Seasonal seafood, local produce, and Mediterranean influences celebrate Southern California’s culinary landscape with elegance and restraint.
A Pool Designed Around the View
One of the hotel’s most significant transformations took place outdoors. Jónsdóttir removed visual barriers that once interrupted the Pacific views, replacing heavy concrete with glass railings and relocating the central staircase to create an expansive pool terrace. New cabanas, fire pits, lounge seating, lush landscaping, and a poolside bar now create an inviting outdoor living room where the beach and hotel feel seamlessly connected. The result is less about spectacle and more about atmosphere—a place designed for long afternoons beneath the California sun.
Why It Works
Sandbourne Santa Monica demonstrates how thoughtful architecture can completely redefine a hotel experience. Through Gulla Jónsdóttir’s restrained yet sculptural vision, art, craftsmanship, wellness, and coastal living come together in perfect balance. Rather than relying on flashy luxury, Sandbourne creates something far more lasting: a serene, sensory retreat where every material, artwork, and space deepens the connection between guests, creativity, and the Pacific Ocean.
