North America • United States • California • Marina • Hotel Review
The Sanctuary Beach Resort: Fireside Cottages on Monterey Bay
A stay among Marina’s dunes, with coastal dining at Salt Wood Kitchen and bonfires on the beach.
By Morgan Hines
Why it works
Hotel Snapshot
Crisp morning air. Salt water. Sandy walkways. Cozy fireplace. Cloud-like bed. Soft sheets.
The list of gorgeous, thoughtful details incorporated at The Sanctuary Beach Resort is lengthy. With it, the 19-acre beachside retreat in Marina, California, tucked away beside Monterey Bay, provides a wholly refreshing stay.
Located on the coast between Carmel Valley and Marina Dunes, the resort blends in with the seaside landscape. Simply being there feels cause enough for an immediate, deep exhale – in the best way only being seaside can provoke.
Design & Character
And the natural beauty extends to the resort’s design, too.
The Sanctuary saw a refresh and a relaunch in June with renovated rooms and suites that live in beachside cottages designed by FAROUKI FAROUKI. Rooms are complete with amenities, including a fireplace, a private terrace or patio, luxurious and comfortable, understated furnishing, and artwork suited to the atmosphere.
Rooms
Rooms are broken into a number of categories: Coastal View Deluxe, which sits at 380 square feet, with a far-off view of the Pacific; Oceanfront Deluxe, which is also 380 square feet with views of the bonfires and Marina Dunes Preserve; Panoramic View Deluxe, which are 380-square-feet that offer “seamless connection” with Monterey Bay; Ocean View Deluxe; which are situated on the second floor of the cottages; and ADA-compliant rooms.
Larger suites are also available at 460 square feet in similar categories, and full cottages are an option, too, for larger groups.
Dining
On property, the resort offers elegant coastal dining at its Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette. The restaurant boasts an inventive and delicious menu complete with mouth-watering oysters prepared in different formats and plenty of other options, too. Don’t miss the Grilled Oysters, 14-Day Dry Aged NY Strip, or the Gelato for dessert.
In-room dining—and picnicking—is also offered.
Amenities
Amenities extend beyond dining at The Sanctuary, which is home to a pool and an incredible spa and provides private beach access, meditation, and yoga.
Location: Marina, California
In truth, whether you’re interested in recovering from burnout or just want a vacation, we can all benefit from unwinding and relaxing. The Sanctuary Beach Resort provides the perfect recipe for just that.
We’ve been dreaming of The Sanctuary and the serenity we felt there since we left and will certainly opt to stay there again should we return to the Monterey area in the future.
Fast Facts
Location: Marina, California
Rating: Five-Star
The Vibe: Seaside luxury and wellness providing the perfect atmosphere to unwind.
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The location. The Sanctuary Beach Resort fits perfectly with the natural environment and beauty of the coast.
Any Neighborhood Recs? Not necessarily in the neighborhood, but definitely worth a quick drive to Carmel-By-The-Sea for lunch and shopping—highly recommend Brophy’s Tavern for burgers. Also, a short drive from the hotel is Maligne, in Seaside, California—which mixes contemporary European and classic American dining for an experience that’s hard to beat in a chic and vibey space.
Amenities: Private beach access, pool, allows pets, private outdoor space, beach bonfire pits, on-property dining, spa, beachfront yoga, meditation, fitness classes, bikes, programming including jazz nights, and more.
What’s Nearby? The hotel is not far (another short drive) from Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Old Fisherman’s Row, and more.
Rooms: 60
Pricing: Rooms start at $329/night
Closest Airport: Monterey Regional Airport
Hotels Above Par
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