Shade Hotel

This sparkling property hasn't been solely responsible for the regeneration of Manhattan Beach, but its influence has been huge. It's a small property but pretty perfectly formed: slick yet approachable, stylish yet not without a sense of humor. The 38 guest-rooms make great use of the space: Multi-purpose tables can be rolled back and forth over the beds for breakfast or for use as a desk, while all rooms have vast spa-baths, DVD players and color-adjustable chromatherapy lighting. Downstairs is a big central courtyard and the slick Zinc lounge; upstairs is the handsome Skydeck, complete with a bijou pool. If you stay in the penthouse suite, you'll won't need either—it has a beer tap in its kitchenette. An impressive spot.