If you have been reading the blog for a while, you know that often I stay in boutique hotels or rustic cabins. It’s actually unusual for me to get the chance to enjoy a larger hotel, so I was curious to see how this would compare. I’m happy to say that it did end up being a treat – the Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach is a comfortable, clean and well-designed choice for business travelers, singles and families in a prime location.
Room
Our room was a standard king room, and size-wise it worked well. I appreciated having desk space in order to get work done, and the bed was particularly comfortable. The bathroom was small, but nicely appointed, and they provided everything I could need on the trip. In fact, the only downside I can think of was the lack of microwave or refrigerator in this type of room. The refrigerator would have been particularly useful for stowing leftovers after our whirlwind foodie tour of Torrance. However, this room rate did include breakfast at the Garden Court restaurant which was a very nice bonus (and if you are a business traveler, this might be among your favorite perks). They do charge for Wi-Fi, but we were able to hotspot, so it wasn’t an issue for us. The room had a nice view, and it was very quiet despite being close to major streets (and had black out curtains for sleep-shifting guests).
Food and Entertainment
My experience with the food there was somewhat limited, but we did enjoy a light breakfast in the hotel which was delicious. There is quite a large breakfast buffet that seemed to be the hit of the crowd, but we were looking for something smaller before hitting the road. There is a Starbucks in the hotel, as well as the Rain Wine Bar & Lounge. You can even order food out by the pool during serving hours. I personally liked how the bar/lounge was seemingly part of the lobby of the hotel. It made it feel very open and social. It seemed to be quite popular, particularly since they had the baseball playoffs up on the big screen televisions around the bar. I also very much enjoyed how they brought the sense of Torrance into the hotel – local beer tastings, California wine tastings and even local live music in the Zen lounge. These are terrific perks, particularly if you want something fun to do and don’t want to have to drive after a long day of meetings.
Amenities
The gym was packed! It’s actually quite nice, if not particularly large, and it was clearly a hit. Business travelers, in particular, will love the chance to stay fit on the road. I had good intentions, but failed to hit the gym either morning before work began. My favorite of the larger amenities was the indoor/outdoor swimming pool. Not only was it sparkling clean and inviting, but it had quite extended hours – again, perfect if you have a busy daytime schedule. There is also a hot tub near the indoor section of the swimming pool. Another one of my favorite things about the hotel was the number of spots to relax (and work if you have deadlines and a laptop). Zen gardens, couched nooks, and even outdoor dining areas are perfect for getting in some work, or another chapter of a good book. There was at times a music overflow into the quiet areas, but overall I really enjoyed having them available. Again, there is paid Wi-Fi at the hotel, but we hotspotted, so I can’t speak to its speed.
Location
You really can’t ask for a better location in Torrance. It is literally across the street from the Del Amo Fashion Center. You can go shopping, grab some eats, or see a movie without ever getting into your car. Major bonus points! It’s also only minutes away from the historic downtown, excellent dining and just a short drive from the beach (yes, Torrance has one!). It’s also only a 30-minute drive from Los Angeles when traffic is reasonable (meaning busy as usual, but not gridlock). So, if you are staying in Torrance, LA is (often) an easy drive. We noticed a significant number of airline employees (pilots, flight attendants, etc) speaking a number of different languages when we arrived. No doubt its relatively close location to LAX is a big bonus for them.
I hesitate to give room rates because they change all the time, but depending on which hotel floor you are on, you can expect to pay around $230 per night plus tax. Again, check the rate when it comes time for you to make plans because things will change per availability and special offers.
Would I recommend you try the Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach? Yes, I would, particularly if you are interested in taking advantage of the amenities and need a place that puts you close to a number of different sights and cities.
(and I still miss that comfortable bed)
Our stay at the Marriott was part of a sponsored, scheduled press trip through Discover Torrance. All expressed opinions are my own, and that of ThoseSomedayGoals.com.