Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection

Breakfast was great, and the location near Santa Monica pier is perfect. Sandbourne felt like a nicely refurbished hotel from its JW Marriott years. Special thanks to Ari, Reo, Jesse, Lavit, and Nancy. Five stars.

The Sanbourne has a beautiful design, spacious rooms, and a location in Santa Monica that’s hard to beat. The hotel itself is lovely. The service didn’t meet what I’d expect from a Marriott, though. It seemed understaffed, and there was no service at the pool. When I asked someone to be careful with my bag, the first person didn’t seem concerned and said he couldn’t help, but another staff member stepped in and was much more helpful. I was told the room was nearly ready and that I could check in early, but they didn’t hand over the keys until 3 PM. Great spot and atmosphere, but the service could improve.

The hotel has a California feel and a great location. The staff were attentive and excellent, and the rooms were top-rate. It wasn’t crowded, the layouts worked well, and the on-site restaurant has a big menu with both indoor and outdoor seating. Couldn’t have asked for a better stay.

The main letdown for us was the hospitality. Eric at the valet stand was welcoming, but we didn’t get a warm, welcoming feeling from anyone else. At checkout, the front desk didn’t even smile or ask how the stay had been, which left us feeling unappreciated. We also didn’t know there was a steam room or sauna until we overheard someone mention them at the desk. There was plenty to like: the hotel is lovely, with inviting places to sit both indoors and out, and the rooms were comfortable and a nice size. The location near the beach and Santa Monica was excellent. The workout room was well equipped, and we always appreciate having Peloton bikes at Marriott-associated properties. We were excited to try this Autograph Collection hotel because we enjoy high-end Marriott-associated properties, but it didn’t quite match our other stays. Valet parking at $72 a night also seemed outrageous for the area, where there are other options. After paying for the first night, we found an overnight garage across the street for $24.