Brad and I judge every restaurant on three things: the food, the service, and the ambiance. If a place gets all three right, we become regulars. Marelle, the Mediterranean spot inside the Sandbourne Santa Monica, got one.
We went on Saturday, October 3, with both girls. We were already in Santa Monica that afternoon, and since none of us had ever been inside the Sandbourne, I was curious what they’d done with the place. Brad had been there years ago when it was a Marriott, and he didn’t think it was very nice.
Quick Facts
- Where: Inside the Sandbourne Santa Monica, 1740 Ocean Avenue
- Food: Coastal Mediterranean, lots of pasta
- Our bill: $117 for two pastas, two kids’ meals, and a lemonade
- Kids: Very welcome, with crayons and activities
- Parking: Hotel valet, validated by the restaurant
- Would we go back? No
The Sandbourne Hotel Is Gorgeous Now
Brad was impressed right away. “This is way, way nicer than the old Marriott,” he said. “They did a beautiful job renovating this place.” He’s right, because it feels more like a resort in Cabo than a hotel a block from the pier.
The girls thought the inside of Marelle was pretty, and it is. However, it was also nearly empty. When we got there at 6, it was quiet everywhere. Then by 7:30 the patio was packed, but the dining room still had hardly anyone in it.
Does Marelle Santa Monica Have an Ocean View?
We sat outside because the weather was nice. Still, if you’ve seen “ocean view” in other write-ups, adjust your expectations. In reality, from our table we could see a very tiny sliver of water, and that was it.
On the other hand, the patio is lovely. It’s warm and well lit once the sun goes down. As a result, it’s the reason Marelle gets its one point from us.
What We Ordered at Marelle Santa Monica
I booked Marelle on OpenTable that afternoon, and the app was running a promotion for a free appetizer with your reservation. That’s how we ended up with the whipped feta.
Whipped Feta
It wasn’t good. In fact, I make a better whipped feta at home, and mine isn’t anything fancy. So I was glad it was free.
Malfadine Pasta
Brad got the malfadine with sun-dried tomatoes and bocconcini. It came out hot. Unfortunately, that’s the nicest thing either of us said about it.
Lemon Mushroom Rigatoni
Mine was the lemon mushroom rigatoni, and it was just as forgettable. In fact, I could have made both of our pastas at home.
The Caulilini We Never Got
We also ordered the charred caulilini. It never showed up. As it turned out, our server had forgotten it, so by the time we noticed, we just canceled it.
The Marelle Santa Monica Kids’ Menu
To be fair, Marelle Santa Monica is very kid-friendly. For instance, the staff was sweet with the girls and brought crayons, paper, and activities to the table. Also, nobody made us feel like we were intruding on a date-night spot.
However, the prices are another matter. For example, chicken fingers and fries are $15, and spaghetti and meatballs is also $15. That’s a lot for very basic kid food.
Charlotte ordered the spaghetti and meatballs and told us she didn’t really like it. In the end, she barely ate any.
Madeline had the chicken fingers and fries. In other words, they were chicken fingers and fries.
The Service at Marelle
Every person we dealt with was nice. At the same time, they were slow. In particular, we waited well over 30 minutes for our food, on a night when the dining room was close to empty. On top of that, the caulilini was forgotten, so by the end nobody wanted to sit through dessert, so we skipped it.
What Dinner at Marelle Cost
Our bill was $117 for two adult pastas, two kids’ meals, and one lemonade. Since the feta was free, budget for an appetizer if you don’t get the OpenTable deal. That’s normal pricing for a hotel restaurant on Ocean Avenue. Even so, it just didn’t feel worth it for what came out of the kitchen.
Marelle Santa Monica Parking and Reservations
For parking at Marelle Santa Monica, we used the hotel valet, and the restaurant validates. I don’t remember what we paid, so be sure to ask when you book. As for reservations, I made ours on OpenTable the same day with no trouble. That said, if you want a patio table after 7, book ahead.
Happy Hour and Brunch
According to Discover Los Angeles, Marelle Santa Monica also does a happy hour and a weekend brunch. However, we haven’t tried either and aren’t planning to. Even so, if you’re set on going, drinks on the patio is probably the way to do it.
How Marelle Santa Monica Compares
It isn’t close to La Monique or Fia. Both cost money, but in both cases the food and service earn it. Marelle reminded me most of Red O: a beautiful room, high prices, and a kitchen that doesn’t keep up.
So, Is Marelle Santa Monica Worth It?
Not for us. In short, if a friend asked, I’d tell them not to go. After all, there are so many places in Santa Monica with better food and better service. Instead, if you want to see the new Sandbourne, walk through the lobby, take a peek at the patio, and then go have dinner somewhere else.
Marelle Santa Monica FAQ
Does Marelle have an ocean view?
Only a tiny slice of ocean from the patio. It isn’t a true oceanfront view.
Is Marelle Santa Monica kid-friendly?
Yes. There’s a kids’ menu (chicken fingers or spaghetti and meatballs, $15 each when we went), plus crayons and activities.
Does Marelle Santa Monica validate parking?
Yes. The Sandbourne has valet, and the restaurant validates.
How much is dinner at Marelle Santa Monica?
Our family of four paid $117 for two pastas, two kids’ meals, and a lemonade, with a free appetizer from OpenTable.
Do you need a reservation?
Not early in the evening. We booked the same day. Reserve ahead for a patio table after 7.
