The Surfrider Hotel Malibu, Los Angeles
Expert reviews
“For a low-key, personal stay in Los Angeles you can do no better. This light-filled, design-forward spot was a motel in the 1950s before a California architect and his Australian wife transformed it.”
Featured in CN Traveler’s 2020 Gold List.
What guests liked
- Top location
- Great food
- Friendly staff
- Roof terrace
- Excellent Wifi
All you need to know
As its name suggests, The Surfrider Hotel is located in front of the Surfrider beach. It has a restaurant and a deck bar on its roof, which can only be accessed by the guests of the hotel. The restaurant has an incredible view of the Malibu Pier as well as the Pacific Ocean. Each guest also has access to free Wi-Fi, free coffee in the morning, and complimentary surfing equipment, which includes stand up paddles along with surfboards.
Each room at The Surfrider Hotel is equipped with flat-screen televisions and private bathrooms, which feature comfortable bathrobes along with free toiletries. Some of the rooms are equipped with seating arrangements for unwinding and views of the sea and even the mountains. The Surfrider Hotel has several popular facilities and services, such as outdoor facilities, which include an outdoor fireplace complete with outdoor furniture, a sun terrace, and a standard terrace.
This hotel also has several dining options, such as a coffee house, a snack bar, and special menus for guests with dietary restrictions, a bar, a restaurant, and more. The Surfrider Hotel also offers outdoor activities, such as a library and even hiking. Other services and facilities include parking facilities, wellness facilities, and cleaning services.
Location
Recent guest reviews
13 October 2021
Fabulous
Room was very clean and had a great bed and shower. Rooftop bar/restaurant was the reason you book this hotel: the food for breakfast and dinner was out of this world as were the drinks, and the staff were extremely nice and welcoming. The hotel overall paid a lot of attention to detail to make the stay feel like you are in a Malibu beach-house. Would definitely stay again!
The price for the hotel was a bit high, but after researching it seems like that is the theme in Malibu.
8 September 2021
Great stay
Great stay , love the bohemian/beach vibe. The street noise didn’t bother me, but noises are easily heard( neighbors getting in etc) . Great rooftop bar, with excellent views. Staff are friendly and accommodating. Just not sure it’s worth what you have to spend to stay there.
The price for value .
16 July 2021
Room cleaning on the 2nd day didn’t happen until late afternoon. Fresh towels were not provided and there was no inform
Location, Aesthetics. Restaurant: wonderful view and food was excellent.
Property was fine. Highway noise was a constant but that seems to be the case everywhere in Malibu.
26 June 2021
Fabulous
Great location, great staff. They go out of their way to provide wonderful service.
A little noisy from PCH traffic
16 June 2021
Loved Malibu
It was a very quaint place and all the staff were super friendly. My brother got to borrow a surfboard and the Mini Cooper from the hotel and catch some waves in Malibu. Malibu is a beautiful place and we enjoyed staying at the Surfrider Hotel.
I wish they had a pool but there was a gigantic one across the street.
4 June 2021
Fabulous
Amazing roof terrace with fireplace!
The complimentary coffee is not free - you should pay for it, actually
25 May 2021
This hotel is a gem
Chic warm beachy decor, friendly staff, excellent guests-only rooftop restaurant and bar, walkable to beach, pier, shops and restaurants.
If you are very noise sensitive (which I am not), the ocean view rooms look out on the PCH which has cars whizzing by below.
22 March 2024
The perfect Malibu getaway.
We had a Seaview room and could watch the surfers while the sun went down from our balcony. The rooftop bar and restaurant was only available to guests which means you don’t have to leave if you don’t want to and the food + view was amazing. So many thoughtful touches.
15 March 2024
Jubilant and Super Special!
The staff went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable and happy! We got engaged on Valentine's Day and when the staff found out they were super excited for us and gave us complimentary champagne! We even took ohotos on the beach with staff during their surfing break! Super fun!! Love the Surfrider; it was a jubilant and perfect weekend!! Thank you!
NA
5 March 2024
Beautiful, great location but could be better
The property is absolutely beautiful and the location is great. An easy walk to both the pier and Malibu Country Mart. Staff was very friendly and helpful.
The rooms are extremely small and get a lot of noise from the road. The space does not have a closet or anywhere to put your luggage which adds to the cramped feeling. Bugs were also a bit of an issue during our stay, we had several spiders, ants and beetles in the room. We were also a little confused at checkout when we were charged a $115 “amenity fee”, not sure what this fee was for/covered. There aren’t many amenities at this hotel so we were definitely caught off guard by that.
25 February 2024
It was ok ish
Location We got free upgrade ocean view because it was raining for the past days and I guess they wanted us to feel better about our stay
Not genuine friendly. Very laid back Also it was raining and they run out of umbrella ! For the amount we paid …. They also charged us for the use of WiFi extra on top of the room
22 December 2023
Pleasant
Room was really nice - decor is lovely
Right opposite a busy road, was a very nice motel essentially. Rooftop & cocktails weather dependent
7 November 2023
Passable
Learning that parking was not an amenity included in the room rate was The premium 2 nd floor Ocean view room was placed just right for an incredible view but blocked by foliage. I brought along a small box of pastries to enjoy. I left the room to enjoy the rooftop after arriving for an hour. When back the bar top was covered in ant. Box of pastry total Loss. I asked for them to be evacuated and cleaned up and they did a great job of doing just that as well as throwing out the box of pastries that was full of ants that I had placed outside. What I would have expected was some kind of acknowledgment for my loss of pastries. Nothing was extended. Front desk was again very unclear to the complimentary SUP boards and tried to charge us for use. The property is a great location with a very likable load back Malibu vibe. Super comfortable beds and uber clean. All in all the services and ability to provide them does not match the room rate.
7 August 2023
So gorgeous
Fabulous Boho decor. Lush bedrooms
Perfect
31 July 2023
Another great stay in paradise
How clean and close to the beach it is. Also the people working there are so nice and welcoming
9 June 2023
Exceptional
Small boutique feel!
Unfortunately when I was staying the kitchen was out of action but would love to go back when it’s up and running!
9 June 2023
Relaxing, chilled out hotel with amazing staff and views.
Really comfortable relaxed hotel. incredible rooftop terrace. staff incredible.
expensive but worth it.
20 May 2023
Exceptional
Amazing location, great service and beautiful setting
14 May 2023
Passable
Overpriced for what they offer
24 March 2023
Exceptional
The walls were thin and had trouble sleeping due to the guests next to me
23 March 2023
Amazing place to stay
The decor and the nice touches, we had fresh flowers in the room
13 December 2022
Exceptional
The room was clean, tidy and lovely! The staffs were all so welcoming. I really loved the rooftop, the view was fantastic!!
8 December 2022
5 Star location, services, accommodations and onsite restaurant
Upscale with excellent decor
nothing
11 September 2022
Surf vibes, with a touch of glam - highly recommended
The rooms are modern and clean (and looks great). The rooftop experience with the view on the surfer beach is one of a kind experience and the restaurant extremely good. On top, the hotel offers many perks like in room complementary freshly brewed coffee, surf boards and other services. The staff is very professional and super friendly. We definitely recommend this hotel if you want to experience the Malibu surf vibe!
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
- - Coffee house on site
Services
- - Room service
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
- - Luggage storage
- - Concierge service
- - Trouser press (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping
Outdoors
- - Terrace
- - Sun terrace
- - Outdoor furniture
- - Outdoor fireplace
General
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
Activities
- - Hiking
- - Yoga classes
- - Beach
- - Happy hour
Entertainment and family services
- - Board games/puzzles
Parking
- - Electric vehicle charging station
- - Accessible parking
Pool and wellness
- - Sun loungers or beach chairs
- - Sun umbrellas
Miscellaneous
- - Key card access
- - Smoke alarms
17 December 2021
Kittys Surfrider
Location was great. Restaurant was very good, and waiter was terrific Room clean and comfortable.
Pricing was high, but I know Malibu is very expensive