MARINA DEL REY, Calif.
Hotel MdR – a DoubleTree by Hilton has announced the unveiling of its $7.5 million property-wide renovation, which includes the opening of Barbianca Local Kitchen, the hotel’s stylish new restaurant and bar, and updates throughout the hotel’s guest rooms and public spaces.
The transformation is the final phase in the hotel’s repositioning, which began last March when the hotel joined the DoubleTree by Hilton portfolio. The hotel’s new look and offerings fuse the casual sophistication of the hip Marina del Rey community with a distinctly modern experience and adds a bright new spot for dining and drinks in this beachside community known for its eclectic mix of restaurant options.
“We are thrilled to debut the final phase of the hotel’s dramatic transformation,” said Michael Kapoulis, General Manager of Hotel MdR – a DoubleTree by Hilton. “This renovation has truly revitalized the hotel, and we look forward to inviting both travelers and locals to experience all of the 'little things' that make our hotel unique – starting with the launch of Barbianca Local Kitchen, and continuing with a breadth of the upscale amenities and award-winning service culture for which the DoubleTree by Hilton brand is known.”
Hotel MdR – a DoubleTree by Hilton debuts a modern, sophisticated, new exterior that blends the building into the upscale area, which includes the stylish Stella residential complex and Marina Marketplace. With a less-is-more minimalist feel, Hotel MdR’s new lobby incorporates urban textures and colors, comfortable communal seating, and high-end technology to create an inviting space designed for guests and locals to relax and socialize.
Playful mood-setting lighting accents a multi-layered ceiling, giving the space an open airiness that flows from area to area. The pool and courtyard were completely reimagined into an outdoor living room offering intimate lounge-style seating, fire pits, tree lights and private cabanas. The multimillion-dollar revitalization project also included a guest room refresh, redesigned meeting and event space, the addition of a 24/7 market and upgraded 24-hour fitness and business centers.
Barbianca Local Kitchen offers a fresh, uncluttered design, with a retractable glass wall along one entire side that enables guests to flow seamlessly between its indoor and outdoor spaces. A private 24-seat dining room and an “Energy room” with a Ping-Pong table were also incorporated into the restaurant’s design. At Barbianca’s helm, Executive Chef Larry Monaco blends an ingredient-focused menu consisting of traditional Italian favorites with a unique twist and utilizes sustainable and organic practices to serve up northern Italian favorites with a dash of Napa Valley sensibilities.
Chef Monaco graduated with a Culinary Arts degree from Cordon Bleu and has over 14 years of culinary training in a variety of settings that include fine dining restaurants, casual bistros, multi-outlet venues, boutique hotels and high-end catering experience. In New York, he worked for famous restaurateur Danny Meyers and Chef Floyd Cardoz at Tabla, and under the direction of Chef Tom Colicchio at Gramercy Tavern. As Executive Chef, he helped positioned Queen City Grill as a local Seattle favorite and in February 2014 Chef Monaco appeared on The Food Network’s celebrated hit TV show, Chopped.
Less than a half-mile from the marina and across the street from Marina Marketplace, an entertainment complex which features over 40 restaurants, shops, theaters and art galleries, Hotel MdR offers visitors a convenient location for touring and exploring Marina del Rey. Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice and Santa Monica are also just minutes away. In addition, Hotel MdR is nestled in the heart of Silicon Beach, “Southern California’s Silicon Valley,” and major corporate offices nearby include Google, YouTube, Microsoft, Hulu, Live Nation, Sony Pictures and AEG.
As the hotel is part of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio, Hilton HHonors members are able to earn and redeem points for stays.
Hotel MdR – a DoubleTree by Hilton is located at 13480 Maxella Avenue, Marina del Rey, California, 90292.
