By The Wayfarer
Add meaning to your stay: Take the Wayfarer Malibu Tour
In Malibu, the word “resort” hits different. It doesn’t mean marble lobbies or infinity pools stacked five stories high. Here, luxury leans quiet. It’s in the morning fog rolling off the sea. In a room where the windows open to eucalyptus. In the rare stillness between canyon and wave.
If you’re searching for the best Malibu resorts, you’re not just looking for a place to stay. You’re looking for a place to feel—to breathe, to reset, maybe even to remember something about yourself that got lost in the noise.
The good news? Malibu delivers.
Here’s a guide to the top resort experiences in Malibu, California—plus a meaningful way to explore beyond the property line with the Wayfarer Malibu Tour, a self-guided journey through the landscapes that shape this iconic coastline.
1. Calamigos Guest Ranch & Beach Club
Location: Malibu Wine Country, near Kanan Road
If you’re looking for a resort that feels more like a secret retreat, Calamigos Guest Ranch is your spot. Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, it offers a rare blend of rustic charm and high-end amenities. Think oak trees, outdoor showers, and private bungalows with fireplaces.
What’s included:
- A private beach club on the Pacific Coast Highway
- Poolside cabanas under the sycamores
- Farm-to-table dining with a view of the canyons
- Spa treatments that blend nature and nurture
It’s equally perfect for a romantic weekend or a reset-the-nervous-system solo stay.
2. Malibu Beach Inn
Location: Carbon Beach (a.k.a. Billionaire’s Beach)
Malibu Beach Inn is oceanfront in the truest sense—you’ll fall asleep to the sound of the waves. This boutique resort sits right on the sand and offers the kind of direct access that’s increasingly rare.
Expect:
- Upscale coastal design with glass balconies and soaking tubs
- An intimate spa and fitness suite
- One of the best dining patios in Malibu (Carbon Beach Club)
- Unbeatable access to the Malibu Pier, Surfrider Beach, and downtown Malibu
For guests who want ocean and elegance without the pretension.
3. Nobu Ryokan Malibu
Location: Next to Nobu, overlooking Carbon Beach
For the ultra-discreet, ultra-high-end traveler, Nobu Ryokan redefines luxury. Housed in a former 1950s beach motel turned serene Japanese-inspired retreat, it’s an adults-only experience built on minimalism and total privacy.
What you’ll find:
- Tatami mats, teak soaking tubs, and stone garden paths
- Immaculate views with barely a footprint
- Direct beach access and Nobu room service, of course
It’s not for everyone—but if it’s for you, you’ll never forget it.
4. The Surfrider Malibu
Location: Directly across from Surfrider Beach and Malibu Pier
This stylish, California-cool hotel blends surf culture with boutique hospitality. The Surfrider has just 20 rooms, so it’s intimate by design—but its rooftop bar and breezy aesthetic have made it a fast favorite.
Why it’s great:
- Mid-century-meets-beach-house interiors
- Guest-only rooftop dining and cocktails
- Complimentary surfboards and beach gear
- Steps from world-famous breaks and Nobu next door
It’s less a traditional resort, more a thoughtfully curated experience for design lovers, surf fans, and sunset chasers.
5. Hotel June Malibu
Location: Western Malibu, near Point Dume
Formerly the Native Hotel, Hotel June Malibu is a reimagined roadside lodge turned stylish minimalist retreat. Tucked under the pines and just off the highway, it’s less about opulence and more about feeling grounded.
What to love:
- Clean, coastal design with a midcentury twist
- Hammocks, bikes, and a very Malibu mix of solitude and sunshine
- Proximity to quiet beaches and hiking trails
- Low-key luxury at a (relatively) accessible price
Perfect for those who want the Malibu experience without the Malibu markup.
Add More Than Luxury: Take the Wayfarer Malibu Tour
Even at the best Malibu resort, you’ll eventually want to leave the cabana. And when you do, you’ll want something that makes the place make sense—something that ties the ocean, mountains, roads, and rhythms together.
That’s what the Wayfarer Malibu Tour offers.
It’s a GPS-guided audio tour that takes you along the Pacific Coast Highway and into the canyons, bluffs, and beaches that define Malibu’s geography and mythology.
You’ll hear:
- The stories of the Chumash people who lived here long before luxury
- How fire and water shaped the land you’re walking on
- What it means to surf this coast—and protect it
- How Malibu became Malibu, and what still resists that fame
You can drive it, walk it, stop whenever you want—or just listen while you drink your morning coffee on a balcony overlooking the sea.
Final Thoughts
Malibu resorts aren’t just about soft robes and perfect lattes (though you’ll find plenty of both). They’re about atmosphere. Proximity. A certain feeling you get when the marine layer lifts and the whole coastline glows.
So yes—pick your place to sleep. Choose your view, your tub, your ideal breakfast spot. But don’t stop there.
Step into the land.
Listen to its stories.
And when you’re ready—let the Wayfarer Malibu Tour show you the Malibu behind the Instagram.Because luxury is great.
But meaning? That’s unforgettable.
by xotatech.com