Elegantly perched on one of the largest man-made marinas in the world, The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey sits right where you can watch sailboats and yachts drift past while staying in the heart of Los Angeles. It’s the kind of place where you get that Southern California warmth and laid-back vibe without sacrificing the polish of a luxury hotel—one of LA’s only AAA Five Diamond properties on the waterfront.

The rooms and suites have ocean, marina, or city skyline views depending on which way your room faces. You’ll find a restaurant that sources ingredients from neighborhood farmers markets, so there’s a real sense of place in the food. The spa focuses on actual wellness rather than just pampering, and there are two lighted tennis courts if you want to stay active. LA’s only waterfront pool is here too, which matters when you’re trying to cool off during those warm Marina del Rey afternoons.

What makes this location genuinely practical is how close everything sits. You’re minutes from LAX if you’re catching a flight, but equally close to Venice Beach if you want to walk the boardwalk with your dog, Santa Monica’s pier and beaches, and the way inland toward Beverly Hills and the rest of LA. Marina del Rey itself has that quieter, more residential feel compared to the busier beach towns nearby, so it works well if you want some calm between exploring.

The marina setting means you’re around water and boats constantly, which some dogs find fascinating and others find overstimulating—worth knowing before you book. The location gives you genuine flexibility though: you can spend a morning at the pool, afternoon exploring Santa Monica’s dog-friendly spots, and evening strolling the marina boardwalk without feeling like you’re bouncing around the entire city.