Modern Home + Living

When one thinks of exotic seaside destinations powder white sand in Bali sprinkle your thoughts, crushing waves of Australia’s gold coast or sunsets in Thailand call with a soft vengeance. One instantly doesn’t contemplate California, and one definitely doesn’t imagine Long Beach.

Well my friends, times they are a changing. Nestled across the water from downtown Long Beach, adjacent to the historic Queen Mary, lies a boutique hotel worthy of any sun god. Hotel Maya is Long Beach’s first waterfront hotel and seamlessly fuses the vibrant Latin aesthetic with the urban backdrop that floats just beyond the shore.

The four-star Joie de Vivre recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation, including everything from the lush landscaping (400 palm trees, an agave garden and hundreds of tropical flowers) to an upscale modern patio furniture that is the perfect accompaniment to afternoon sangria sipping. Any experienced traveler knows that a facelift doesn’t necessarily equate to beauty, yet Hotel Maya has had just enough nip and tuck to look refreshed and rejuvenated – and that’s exactly how each guest feels upon entering the property.

A winding driveway leads visitors to the resort where bicycling guests are quick to wave and the ocean air is quick to hypnotize. Just when the sun is so bright that buying stock in RayBan sounds ideal, the purple and white Gehry inspired glass entrance becomes the only thing catching your eye. You’ve arrived – in every sense of the word.

The resort-style complex consists of 197 guest rooms in five separate buildings located on 11 acres of property. Thank goodness there isn’t a Kevin Bacon connection or the number game would never end. The stats are simple and clear – you have the illusion of privacy without the dreaded fear of non-existent cell signal or internet.

Each guest room comes complete with waterfront or garden views, and rest assured “garden view” does not mean parking lot or alley scenery. For fellow earth lovers, reclaimed wood and recycled glass complete the renovation, eradicating all popcorn ceiling and cheap wood imitations. Speaking of urban landscape, the design elements include the use of natural and organic materials from the decorative stone and textured tiles throughout the hotel to the vibrant and earthy jute fabric ceiling located in Fuego, the hotels signature restaurant.

Fuego’s creative menu specializes in mariscos (fresh seafood) and embodies the flavors of Coastal Latin cuisine. Platters brimming with fresh shrimp, mussels, and lobster flow like wine, as the house ceviche and the scent of homemade tortillas entice diners to order more courses. It’s not gluttonous if it involves a vacation. For people turning up their noses at the thought of seafood (you know who you are!) rest assured that the Green Chile Relleno with Pork Carnitas and Black Bean-Pasilla Mole will more than wet your appetite without having come from the deep blue sea.

Hotel Maya may not be the secret island get-a-way that you’re willing to mortgage your home for, but it is the perfect recession friendly alternative for those seeking decadent moments away from it all. With sparkling pools adorned with private cabanas, various volleyball courts, bicycle paths and walking gardens, there is nary a moment to get bored.

Instead, there are plenty of moments when the sky is a kaleidoscope of reds and purples, the wind is combing your saltwater locks and the only sound is a glass of wine being poured when you realize that sometimes the best thing to do, is nothing at all.