Luxury hotels are known for impeccable service, ocean views, and indulgent spa menus. Butterflies, however, are not usually part of the amenity list. Unless, of course, you’re staying at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey, where guests may now find themselves emotionally invested in the daily whereabouts of a monarch named Cali.
Welcome to the Butterfly Beach House, the hotel’s charming—and slightly addictive—seasonal program dreamed up by Marketing Communications Coordinator Marissa Fontana. Equal parts nature lesson, community theater, and feel-good surprise, the experience has quickly become one of the most talked-about (and photographed) corners of the property.
The idea began innocently enough. Marina del Rey’s year-round sunshine and coastal climate felt like an open invitation to do something green, local, and interactive. So the team planted California milkweed, fennel, carrots, and celery in raised beds near the pool. Butterflies took the hint. Eggs appeared. Caterpillars followed. Before anyone quite realized what was happening, the hotel had a thriving butterfly population and a dedicated enclosure affectionately dubbed the Butterfly Beach House.
From there, things escalated—in the best way.
Guests are invited to observe the full butterfly life cycle, from ravenous caterpillars in their “leafy binge” phase to elegant chrysalides waiting for their big debut. When a butterfly finally emerges, it requires a full day for its wings to dry—after which comes the main event: naming and release. What sounds like a sweet add-on quickly became surprisingly emotional. Guests share stories. Children cheer. Adults get misty. Butterflies are named with seriousness typically reserved for yachts.
Behind the scenes, Fontana keeps the magic alive with a weekly update called The Flutter, sent to hotel staff and friends of the property. These reports read less like scientific logs and more like dramatic dispatches from a very glamorous garden: rescues, pest control, VIP chrysalides, and occasionally, a full-blown patriotic saga complete with ceremonial chimes and historic wing unfurling. (Yes, really.)
The setting couldn’t be more ideal. Marina del Rey’s temperate climate and long growing season create a natural haven for monarchs and swallowtails, making this less of a novelty and more of a well-timed collaboration with nature. The program takes a break in October to respect monarch migration patterns, because even butterflies deserve a proper winter schedule.
The good news: it’s coming back—and expanding. From June through October, guests can once again stop by the Butterfly Beach House to see what’s hatching, emerging, or preparing for its moment in the spotlight. Participation is complimentary, open to all ages, and delightfully captivating.
Polished and elegant, The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey reveals its softer side through the Butterfly Beach House. The experience is spontaneous, fleeting, and oddly moving; proof that luxury isn’t solely about luxe linens and a cushy poolside chaise lounge. Sometimes luxury arrives on gossamer wings, stays just long enough to make you smile, and disappears before you think to take a photo.
Photos courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey
