Surfrider Hotel

Hospitality

Inspired by Malibu’s stunning landscape and the rich heritage of California’s surf culture, The Surfrider was meticulously rebuilt and expanded in 2017 to embody the essence of the historic beach-town community. The redesign of this iconic 1950s-era motel has transformed The Surfrider into a sophisticated, contemporary boutique hotel, offering guests an unparalleled and uniquely Malibu experience. Featuring 18 rooms and two suites, a library, a guest-only rooftop bar, and a restaurant, The Surfrider stands as a symbol of refined coastal hospitality.

Since its grand reopening, The Surfrider has earned widespread acclaim, including being named to the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler Hot List 100 and receiving accolades in Vogue, Conde Nast Traveler, and The New York Times. Under the guidance of Matt, who designed, developed, co-owned, and operated the hotel, The Surfrider garnered numerous prestigious awards in the travel industry. These included Conde Nast’s Gold List for 2020 and 2021, the Hot List 2018 (Best New Boutique Hotel), and Reader’s Choice Awards for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Additionally, the hotel has been recognized by Trip Advisor in the Top 10% of Hotels Worldwide through their Award of Excellence and Traveler’s Choice Awards.

MGMT Partners acted as the Project Manager for the extensive rebuild and expansion, overseeing all aspects of the development process from inception to completion. Our role was pivotal in ensuring the project adhered to the highest standards of architecture, design, and execution, while preserving the essence of Malibu’s beach-town charm. The successful sale of The Surfrider Hotel in December 2021, for a record-breaking $1.5M per key and a total of $30M, marked a major milestone in the project’s lifecycle, underscoring its lasting impact on the hospitality landscape.

With the reopening of this California landmark, Malibu got a new standard of sustainably minded, relaxed coastal living.

— "Bon Voyage" by Gestalten