Malibu Riviera Motel

Last weekend while we were savoring the upper deck at the 

Malibu Pier

we were so enthralled with the area

we decided an impromptu night stay was definitely in order.

Well this sounds simple enough

except it was the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend.

But Jeff was up for the quest.

After spending an hour checking what seemed every hotel in Malibu

he finally found 

what felt like the very last room in Malibu.

I'm usually beyond picky when it comes to choosing a place to spend the night

but hey

I'm trying to be more flexible and go with the flow these days.

Jeff showed me a couple of pictures from the booking site

and I decided I could be brave and

'give it a try'.

I've been wanting to stay at a mid century 'motel'

for a while now.

Or maybe better put

I've had a romantic notion of staying at one.

Pulling up to the
 Malibu Riviera 

I must admit

I was afraid the glasses of wine on the pier

had dulled my good judgement.

And an ... oh no 

what have I agreed to feeling

began to seep in.

But walking into the 'lobby'

gave me some hope.

Maybe this could be the 

'cool  updated midcentury motel'

I had been dreaming of ...

The perfect Road Trip find.

Our last minute
Labor Day Weekend decision
had lead us  in a serendipity vibe
to  just what I was searching for.

The Malibu Riviera is still just being finished
and
has only been opened a handful of weeks.

When we opened the door  to our room

I saw it was
everything I was hoping for in a road trip find!

The new owners of this original 1947 motel

have  done a brilliantly designed 

remodel of what was only last year 

a run down motel way past it's prime.

"Dutch door with an open breeze"

it definitely has ...

'A new modern look has been given

inspired by old paradise charm'

I couldn't agree more with their description!

They have stripped away all excess detail
and
still kept the soul of this mid century gem.

There is a clean pared down elegance in the rooms

that have been white washed to perfection.

Floors have been stripped down to the earthy aggregate 

which has been polished to a reflective glow.

Light  streams in from  windows on both sides

creating an airy freshness

that takes full advantage of the high ceilings.

My new shoes from Need Supply in New York

with my new bag from Clare V

fit right in.

It's definitely a  chic mid century retreat.
Affordable luxury with tons of historic character
located a stones throw from Point Dume Beach.

Located on 4.34 acres

the motel is still in soft opening mode

with the hopes of a full opening sometime in October.

There are plans to add an Airstream Coffee Bar

(which is sorely needed. The long trek to 'find' coffee

in Malibu was my only complaint).

They also have plans to add glamping tents on the lower property.

Our lovely outside balcony view.

Before we checked in

I made a quick stop at
The Malibu Lumberyard
my favorite shopping center in Malibu
to run into
J Crew

to shop for a couple of pieces

I could pull into outfits

since 

we had left home in the morning without a planned overnight stay.

Luckily even on day trips

I pack several accessory choices

since we usually head off in a particular direction

rather than a definite destination.

I like to be prepared for a myriad of locations.

So at J Crew

I just picked up a new pair of
white Toothpick jeans

(which I had needed anyway)

and a

 color blocked striped dress
I wore as a tunic.
I know both pieces will serve me well this season.

My antique silk shawl was the perfect accompaniment 

for the brisk Malibu morning!

How charming is the dutch door that opens up to the  private balcony.
And
note the sublime copper hangers in the upper right corner.

The spare but perfect details
spoke Southern California
Laid Back Luxe
to me.

What a treat the old school motel keys are!

I wish they had the key rings for sale

because it was so hard to give it back!

Talk about a beautiful road trip reflection.

Waking up to this view

reminded me of all the beauties to be discovered on
the roads less traveled.

The view also  had me wondering about the history of this motel.
Urban lore has it Marilyn Monroe has stayed here
and that
Bob Dylan wrote
Blood on the track
in room 10
the very room we got!

When we checked in
we  asked one of the owners for a great sunset location.

Their recommendation of 

The Sunset Restaurant 

was spot on!

Located right on the beach
it was sunset remarkable!

But I couldn't wait to get back to our charming room

and 

soak up the charm of this 

mid century modern retreat.

I am already making plans 

for a return visit.

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy 

as you style your life