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There are three reasons to stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey: 1) You're a watercraft cognoscenti and you desire a serene view of 10,000 beautiful sailboats and yachts from your private balcony; 2) You want to take advantage of this business hotel's excellent weekend rates; or 3) You want to stay in style near the airport (a traffic-free 10-min. ride). Otherwise, if you just want to be pampered at a luxury resort hotel, a better choice is one of the other two Ritz-Carlton properties in Pasadena or Dana Point. In typical Ritz-Carlton fashion, the Marina del Rey is swathed in elegant European decor -- Italian marble bathrooms, French doors leading to private balconies, English countryside oil paintings, and the most comfortable goose-down feather bed I've ever slept in. The two top floors consist of the Club Lounge, with a dedicated concierge, on-the-house cocktails, and complimentary gourmet spreads all day (including breakfast). Tip: Request one of the "27 series" rooms, which are larger and have the best views. Thanks to its marina location, the hotel offers yacht and sailing charters, and reserves several slips for boat-bound customers. Venice Beach is about a 15-minute walk, but it's easier to rent a bicycle from the hotel.

The hotel's superb restaurant, Jer-ne[li] (pronounced "journey"), serves New World cuisine in a stylishly modern setting, but I prefer a table on the deck overlooking the harbor. Be sure to sample chef Troy Thompson's unique Bento Box: five contrasting delicacies artfully arranged in a traditional Japanese box (a full meal for one).

Facilities: 2 restaurants; 2 lounges (bar, lobby lounge for high tea); heated outdoor pool and whirlpool; 2 lighted tennis courts; fitness center; sauna; bicycle rentals; basketball court; concierge; 24-hr. room service; in-room massage; babysitting; laundry service; dry-cleaning service.

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