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An L.A. Alternative

Where: 1221 N Valley Drive [map], Manhattan Beach, CA, United States, 92066

If you aren't too keen on staying in touristy (and a bit dirty) Santa Monica, jump on the 405 South and head on down to Manhattan Beach, land of the Beach Boys.

The Shade Hotel--"It's cooler in the shader"--is a 38-room luxury boutique hotel just a block from the quintessential California beach experience.

With rooms starting at $250, you can choose from the deluxe spa room, with or without fireplaces, the deluxe spa suite, the executive suite and the penthouse suite. All rooms come with Tempurpedic beds, a multifunctional rolling desk, balcony seating, Lavazza® expresso machine cocktail shaker "for your personal sundowner," a 2 person Sanijet colortherapy spa tub or a rain shower.

Designed by Christopher Lowell, the hotel is "awash in textured wood, dual-purpose accessories and fiber optics with color."

''I did it so people could see what the future looks like and then duplicate over and over,'' he explains.

Um...right. Which way to the beach?

Related Stories:
· Shade Hotel reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Christopher Lowell -- In Person [Miami Herald]
· Hutcho's photostream [Flickr]