An urban vibe melds with Southern California’s relaxed culture in the newly revitalized Hotel MdR Marina del Rey, a Doubletree by Hilton. Following Hilton’s acquisition of Courtyard by Marriott—the property’s former occupant—Los Angeles-based Indidesign was tapped to revitalize the hotel’s public spaces.
“The goal was to establish a brand for the hotel that would be unique to the property while still under the Doubletree by Hilton umbrella,” says Indidesign principal designer Beatrice Girelli. “The inspiration came from the location of the property—the west side of Los Angeles by the water and its unique blend of laid-back beach lifestyle and sophisticated tech trends.”
In the lobby, a blend of organic and high-tech materials connects to the idea of sailing, the beach, and sunrises. “The lobby has a ‘wow’ factor,” says Girelli. “We want to surprise guests with a unique aesthetic and make them feel welcome to the property and to SoCal.” A German wood product that resembles weathered driftwood combined with resin contrasts against sheets of printed aluminum alloy behind the front desk, while large floor tiles nod to industrial living and ceiling articulations and corresponding lighting give the space dimension.
“The choice of material is limited to a few key elements, but the contrast between these materials is very strong and effective,” Girelli adds. Throughout the lobby, metal accents and blue lighting recessed into the ceiling juxtapose warm wood tones, and metal murals and sculptural resin reception desks mix with reclaimed wood.
Connecting to the site and capturing the spirit of the local lifestyle was just as important in the hotel’s signature restaurant, Barbianca Local Kitchen. “Although the design of the restaurant was conceived in advance of the F&B concept, we always knew that the emphasis in connecting to the west side and local trends would play an equally important role in the food menu,” says Girelli. Serving northern Italian fare, the restaurant’s warm wood tones and metal accents complement a neutral color palette. Large custom graphics, inspired by urban living by the beach, create dreamy backdrops to the space. To recall sailing life, porthole-like windows are situated above a fabric-covered banquette.
“Authentic Italian cuisine is based on the simplicity of food, and it showcases the taste of the individual ingredients,” says Girelli. “This is the same recipe that we applied to the design of the space, therefore ultimately food and design complement each other very well.” Gray, cement-like flooring works with deep yellow and dark navy accents throughout, and the use of color blocking and bold graphics completes the restaurant’s indoor-outdoor feel.
Similarly the outdoor lounge carries the idea of urban living outside. Outfitted with tree lights, area rugs, and layered lighting, the outdoor living room can morph into a different space depending on the time of day.
“We created a completely different environment with an elevated aesthetic,” says Girelli. “We crafted a language that represents unpretentious comfortable living with an injection of technology and the unexpected.”
