Springtime Staycation at Courtyard by Marriott Marina del Rey

Earlier this month, my husband and I went on a weekend getaway to Marina del Rey. We’ve been experiencing a heatwave in the Valley, so we wanted to escape the heat and soak up the ocean air.

We checked into a local hidden gem that just celebrated its fifth anniversary. Courtyard by Marriott Marina del Rey is located on the marina and has breathtaking views and a restaurant that serves up mouthwatering meals. (More on the food from Brizo Bar and Restaurant later!)

After dropping off our bags in the room, we set out to explore the hotel property. The outdoor deck has stunning views and enough space to accommodate 200 guests for a dream wedding or business retreat.

Unlike the cramped, windowless fitness centers of some hotels, Courtyard by Marriott Marina del Rey has an impressive hotel gym. The spacious fitness center has an array of cardio machines and a dedicated free-weight area. For those who prefer a low-impact burn, the gym is situated just steps from the outdoor pool.

We wanted to eat an early dinner near the water, so we headed over to KazuNori, located in the heart of the marina. The hotel manager, Ariana, encouraged us to go early and sit at the bar so that you can watch them make your sushi rolls. It’s an intimate setting that overlooks the water.

We ordered from the preset menu which came with 6 hand rolls, and we also added a shrimp hand roll to it. Could you tell that we were hungry? 😉

@realmomofsfv Have you been to @KazuNori in Marina del Rey? If not, this is what you are missing! 🍣 We both ordered the 6-Hand Roll Menu which comes with: 🔸Toro 🔸Yellowtail 🔸Salmon 🔸Bay Scallop 🔸Crab 🔸Lobster Not all sushi is pictured because we were too hungry to capture it all! 😉We also added a shrimp hand roll and everything was so yummy. Thanks, KazuNori for having us! If you love sushi, make sure to @visitmdr and check them out! #IloveMDR #hosted #KazuNori #MarinaDelRey ♬ Pop instrumental music by acoustic guitar, piano and violin(1291139) – Kazuya Tamura

6-Hand Roll Menu:

• Toro
• Yellowtail
• Salmon
• Bay Scallop
• Crab
• Lobster

After finishing up at the sushi bar, we walked a few doors down to a local pie shop. With boxes in hand, strolled over to Burton Chace Park just in time to catch the sunset and soak up the scenery.

The next morning, we headed downstairs and took the walking path from the hotel to around the marina. It was so relaxing to take in the ocean air, look at the boats, and people-watch.

We made our way back to the hotel for Sunday brunch at Brizo Bar and Restaurant. Pro tip: You don’t have to be a hotel guest to dine at Brizo. So if you find yourself in the area, definitely check it out because it has amazing views of the marina and terrific food!

We each ordered a cup of clam chowder to start. I opted for the lobster roll with salad, and my husband got the crab cake benedict. Everything was so tasty!

With our bellies full and hearts happy, we headed over to Fisherman’s Village to walk around and go to our next activity.

If you’re looking for your next weekend adventure, the Ultimate Escape Rooms needs to be on your radar. We opted for the “Murder in London” theme, a nostalgic nod to my teenage obsession with British murder mystery novels. It was a total blast!

From searching for hidden puzzle pieces in the walls to the rush of unlocking new chambers, the escape room kept us on our toes the entire time. My husband and I have done a few escape rooms, and this was by far our favorite one. Plus, I’m happy to report that we solved the mystery and escaped!

We had a wonderful time exploring Marina del Rey during our spring staycation! Thanks, Courtyard by Marriott Marina del Rey for hosting our stay.

Need help planning your trip to Marina del Rey? You can get visitor info and sample itineraries at www.visitmdr.com.

Also, make sure to check out their Facebook page and Instagram to get the latest updates!

Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. The Marina del Rey Tourism Board arranged our dining and hotel accommodation, which helped facilitate this review. All images are my own unless otherwise noted. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.