You are reading

Native Hotel: A Laid-Back Malibu Retreat

Start typing to search...

Hollywood Issue 48 — West World

Native Hotel: A Laid-Back Malibu Retreat

Izabella Simmons November 27, 2017

Perched on the hillside of the coastal beach town of Malibu, California, the Native Hotel (once famed as the Malibu Riviera Motel hosting guests like Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and Bob Dylan) recently reopened under the new ownership of SKG Investments. In dire need of a complete overhaul, the new hotel owners turned to Los Angeles-based creative design agency Folklor to handle the renovation—giving the hotel a new contemporary look while preserving its old paradise charm. The midcentury-inspired boutique-style retreat includes an Airstream food trailer, outdoor gathering spaces, a wellness center, and pathways to some of California’s most idyllic beaches (including Zuma Beach and Point Dume). Here’s a look inside.

Photography by Dylan + Jeni, unless otherwise noted.

the native hotel sits beside the pacific coast highway overlooking the pacific 17 — Above: The Native hotel sits beside the Pacific Coast Highway overlooking the pacific ocean. The hotel area spans over four acres of land.

the hotel entry door is painted a deep blue color, and parts of the hotel&# 18 — Above: The hotel entry door is painted a deep blue color, and parts of the hotel’s facade is painted in a playful pink.

the hotel offers \13 guest rooms, all with an understated luxury (cacti include 19 — Above: The hotel offers 13 guest rooms, all with an understated luxury (cacti included).

la based french chef ludo lefebvre’s offers guests coffee and waffles fr 20 — Above: LA-based French chef Ludo Lefebvre’s offers guests coffee and waffles from a converted Airstream in the hotel’s carpark. Local producers include Eucalyptus & Pine. Photography by Native hotel manager Sam Shendow.

the lobby serves as both a check in and lounge area featuring exposed wooden be 21 — Above: The lobby serves as both a check-in and lounge area featuring exposed wooden beams and aggregate concrete flooring. The check-in desk is an industrial Italian desk circa the 1870s.

the pink sofa is by early work and the mid century sling rocker and chairs are 22 — Above: The pink sofa is by Early Work and the mid-century sling rocker and chairs are by Jerry Johnson.

folklor commissioned artists to create unique hand made pieces for the hotel, i 23 — Above: Folklor commissioned artists to create unique hand-made pieces for the hotel, including a circular custom wooden bench placed in the center of the lobby. The stone fireplace is original to the building.

each guest room is curated with a design reminiscent of a laid back calif 24 — Above: Each guest room is curated with a design reminiscent of a laid-back California bungalow—with exposed white wooden beams and a Dutch door leading straight onto a private patio. The white Min Bed frames were sourced from DWR fitted using king-sized Casper mattresses. The rooms have hand-made wooden furniture, including an African mahogany desk, a walnut headboard, and a marine-grade plywood bench. Design details include antique hand-dyed Turkish rugs, a Greta Grossman’s Cobra wall sconce, a vintage ice chest, and one-of-a-kind artwork created by local artists.

custom robes are made from deadstock african fabrics. the side table nooks and 25 — Above: Custom robes are made from deadstock African fabrics. The side-table nooks and shelving are hand-made from American white oak with brass details.

throughout the property, vintage photography lines the walls depicting malibu i 26 — Above: Throughout the property, vintage photography lines the walls depicting Malibu in the 1950’s and 1960’s as well as portraits of renowned guests like Bob Dylan, who wrote Blood on the Tracks in room 13. Famous Hollywood celebrity clientele often visited the motel.

the bathrooms are fitted with unfinished brass fixtures and \2 by \2 square whi 27 — Above: The bathrooms are fitted with unfinished brass fixtures and 2-by-2 square white tiles. Guests can lather in Native’s own amenity line of all-natural bath products.

a cigar pendant by george nelson hang in one of the guest rooms. 28 — Above: A Cigar Pendant by George Nelson hang in one of the guest rooms.

rooms open onto private patios that include artisan made hammocks for out 29 — Above: Rooms open onto private patios that include artisan-made hammocks for outdoor lounging.

Check out our Los Angeles Design Guide, and here are more lodging options in the LA area:

(Visited 307 times, 1 visits today)

You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Add to Collection

Product summary

herman miller nelson cigar pendant lamp

Herman Miller

Nelson Cigar Pendant Lamp

$250.75 USD from Design Within Reach

greta grossman gubi light

Gubi

Cobra Wall Sconce

$314.25 USD from Design Within Reach

design within reach min bed white

Luciano Bertoncini

Min Bed

$695.00 USD from Design Within Reach

Explore Deeper Into These Areas

Seattle Chef Matt Dillon's Cookhouse at Old Chaser Farm on Vashon Island

November 27, 2017

DIY: Wire Garland from Found Objects

November 27, 2017

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

Related Stories

Native Hotel A LaidBack Malibu Retreat portrait 6

Hollywood Tale: A Spec House with Uncommon Style

by Margot Guralnick

June 13, 2016

Native Hotel A LaidBack Malibu Retreat portrait 7

The Mountain Rental: A Holiday House in the Italian Alps

by Julie Carlson

July 7, 2014

My Account