Thinking that leaving our quiet nearby Topanga home for a weekend at the beach would be a good idea, we booked the Catalina Suite at $250 a night after being told that it was one of their most popular rooms and had both sea and mountain views. What a joke! Yes, if one stood at a particular angle at different windows in different rooms, sea and hillside could be glimpsed but the most important fact about the suite was not mentioned--that it fronts Highway 1, which for all intense purposes is a Freeway. Yes, we enjoyed walking on the beach, although this area of the Pacific coast is not that attractive, and appreciated communal tables placed in an area overlooking the ocean. Otherwise, we paid much too much to endure the noise and exhaust of almost 24 hour traffic in old, shabby rooms. Never again!

Don't come here expecting luxury because the place is pretty basic and the breakfast is a couple of croissants on a plate at reception. But we stayed in a beach front unit and you looked right out onto the sea - you could hear the waves lapping all night which was lovely. The room was great if not a bit shabby - (but as our last holiday was in a beach villa in the Maldives i think i ask too much of some places!) had great room facilities for such a small place. We ate in an italian across the road which was really nice and were also recommedned to go to Dukes - which was absolutely fantastic! If you're going to Malibu eat in Dukes!!

Had a great 3 night stay as part of our honeymoon and enjoyed sitting on the private beach. Would defo come and stay here again. But be prepared for basic.

The location, room, view, beach were all great. Beds are somewhat small if you're sharing, but I liked having a small fridge in the room. I also liked that no pets and/or smoking are allowed. None of the beachfront rooms have kitchenettes, which was inconvenient. Also, the service ----- - even though we were paying $300 a day to stay there. To be fair, the standard of service everywhere in Malibu is pretty bad. What's with that beach hillbilly, no class attitude? I grew up on some of the best beaches in the world, far better than here in California, and I never before experienced anything like the bad attitudes that I get from the Malibu biz owners! It's almost like they not only DON'T want your business, they don't even want you in their hood!

Anyway, just beware: Do NOT ask the CMI managers for extra anything (towels/chairs/umbrellas/breakfast muffins) unless you want to be read the Riot Act or cop the stink-eye from the managers. I guess cos they were booked out (and usually are) that they can charge whatever they like for accommodation and don't have to be cordial to guests. We kinda felt like we were in the middle of the Seinfeld "Soup Nazi" episode. If you don't expect 5 star service for your money then you should check out the Casa Malibu Inn for the location and to get away from the sound of sirens blasting for a day or two. However, we do like to get good service for our hard earned money (not that we are demanding at all), so next time we'll be staying at the Pink Palace (which is a 2 minute walk down the same stretch of beach).

Wow...We Are From Las Vegas and Found this Place by Accident And Want to go Back Asap...The Desk Clerk was Very Helpful and Nice...If you Need a Dinner Reservation At a nice restaurant just Tell Her Where and What Time and consider It done...A great romantic getaway for couples with No children...the private beach is very nice and on july 3rd the weather was perfect and there was only 6 people on the sandy beach...yet 2 hotels down it was So crowded you had no place to lay down...We sat on the beach with a bottle of wine and watched the seals... and at one time a whole school of dolphins came by jumping in and out of the water...that was real cool...hotel is very clean inside and out...owners take pride in there property...the next time i go there it will be a room on front with a fireplace...Thanks again Casa Malibu!!!!!!!!