Best Hotel: Shade Hotel
Restauranteur Mike Zislis’ luxury boutique hotel Shade takes the cake again this year for best hotel in the South Bay. Since opening doors in 2006, the sleek hotel has racked up a number of acclaims: Conde Naste voted Shade the number six reason to visit Los Angeles, TripAdvisor.com named it one of the Top 25 Trendliest Hotels and the Los Angeles Times has given Shade several nods over the years. It’s not hard to see why. Rooms are replete with spa tubs, Tempur-Pedic beds, down duvets, a pillow library and Lavazza espresso machines. Its exclusive lounge Zinc@Shade has become a popular hangout locals as well as guests. A second Shade Hotel is in the works, as part of the 15-acre redevelopment at the Redondo Beach Waterfront. It is expected to be completed in 2015. — EK
1221 N. Valley Dr., Manhattan Beach. 310-546-4995. shadehotel.com
Runner ups (tie): Terranea Resort. 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes. 310-265-2800. terranea.com / Beach House Hotel. 1300 The Strand, Hermosa Beach. 310-374-3001. beach-house.com