Marina del Rey: Renovated Jamaica Bay Inn adds barefoot luxury

At the new version of the Jamaica Bay Inn, Marina del Rey gets what it has needed for a long while: an on-the-water, upscale hotel that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Call it barefoot luxury.

The Jamaica Bay Inn sits at the intersection of Palawan Way and Admiralty Way, along the marina’s tranquil Mother’s Beach, known for its gentle waves. The Pacific Ocean and the Venice fishing pier are a short walk away.

More than 16 months ago, the hotel closed for an extensive renovation that expanded it to 111 rooms and added marina-view suites and a 150-seat indoor/outdoor restaurant called Vu that serves breakfast, lunch and eclectic dinners. The menu includes some intriguing snacks, such as chicken-fried watermelon and bison carpaccio, plus a number of colorful sides such as purple potatoes and cauliflower.

A new four-story section added water-view meeting spaces, guest rooms with marina-facing balconies and suites decked out with soaking tubs, flat-screen TVs and benches that curve around a row of windows.

The guest rooms and public spaces are decorated in a subtle island vibe, thankfully minus the tacky tiki bars and tangled fishing nets common to the genre. The rooms feature sandy-colored carpets, rattan textures, warm, neutral colors and lots of space -- about 430 square feet for a room with two double beds. (Translation: Your shins won’t scrape the bed corners.)

Introductory rates for the hotel, owned by Santa Barbara’s Pacifica Hotel Co., range from $149 to $299 and are good through Dec. 30, subject to availability. Published rates are $219 to $399. Wi-Fi access is free.

Contact: Jamaica Bay Inn, 4175 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, (888) 823-5333,