Luxury comes in many forms. Luxurious hospitality can be conveyed via high thread count bedding, indulgent toiletries, or thoughtful little amenities such as a bottle of wine, or a box of chocolates. At Sanctuary Beach Resort in the tiny town of Marina along Highway 1, luxury means access. This family vacation spot features comfortable rooms and suites literally on or quite near Monterey Bay’s expansive shoreline. No other hotel in the area offers such close proximity to sand and surf.
Eight miles north of Monterey, on the protected Marina Dunes Preserve, Sanctuary Beach has long been a favorite vacation spot for those seeking panoramic, Pacific Ocean sunset views and the calming sound of lapping waves. Families love the large swimming pool, the bocce and volleyball courts, and the nightly beach bonfires—perfect for roasting the marshmallows found in the lobby’s for sale s’mores kits. And boy, do they love the beachfront location and the miles of pristine coastline.
Resort guests, as well as locals, also love on-site restaurant Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette, overseen by Michelin Star experienced executive chef Jonathan Rodriguez. In the varied dining areas, a palette of greens, greys, and indigo blues are accented with oxidized metal, slate, and a reclaimed oak and polished concrete floor. Salt Wood is known for its locally sourced cuisine and creative cocktails; the convivial spot’s ever-changing menu focuses on raw, cured, and wood-fired dishes, with a focus on seafood. A live-fire grill serves as the heart of the space, and wood-fired oysters are the starring attraction. Enjoy them with toppings like kimchi butter, Bloody Mary tomato, celery mignonette, and fresh horseradish.
A hearty, pre-order breakfast is served in-room, to be enjoyed al fresco on your patio, on the beach, or in bed. Whether sunny or foggy, spend the morning strolling miles of sandy coastline. Schedule a massage or a facial at the resort’s small, on-site spa. Borrow a cruiser bike from the resort’s fleet, or simply gaze at your sandy surroundings and your ocean view with the knowledge that nature provides the truest luxury.
Photos courtesy of Sanctuary Beach Resort
