LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Native Hotel’s ownership Shaun Gilbert, Reem Al-Zahawi, and Sam Shendow, and Proper Hospitality debut a new heated swimming pool and deck at Hotel June Malibu, marking the completion of the boutique property after years of meticulous restoration efforts. With the completion of Hotel June Malibu, the ownership team and Proper Hospitality bring their shared vision for the property’s next chapter to life, while honoring its past as the Native Hotel and, formerly, the iconic Malibu Riviera Motel. Together, they’ve created a mid-century modern retreat that celebrates the soul and spirit of Southern California, as well as the location’s historic roots.
Hotel June Malibu offers a design-forward, inviting experience where each detail creates a home away from home for locals and travelers. Al-Zahawi and Shendow led the design curation, enhancing the mid-century motif from the property’s previous life as Native while retaining original details from its past. Founded by Wayne and Helen Wilcox in 1949, the Malibu Riviera attracted artists, musicians and writers, including Bob Dylan who wrote his album “Blood on the Tracks” while residing at the motel in 1974. This heritage has been thoughtfully preserved under Gilbert and the team’s stewardship over the past five years with this next chapter honoring and building upon that legacy.
The hotel’s airy minimalist ease is echoed in the design of the lobby, a space that pays homage to the property’s storied history. Gilbert and Shendow restored the mixed stone fireplace originally built by ‘Old Man Peterson’ in 1949 and kept the original redwood beams milled in Santa Monica in 1947. A new custom counter featuring a basaltina stone and louvered white oak wood accents serves as a front desk and pick-up counter for culinary offerings that include seasonal salads, sandwiches, and muffins that guests can enjoy in their bungalows or the property’s lush exterior spaces. A configuration of tables and complementary chairs custom made in Mexico span the lobby’s generous patio, inviting chance encounters with the hotel’s intimate number of guests.
Each of the hotel’s thirteen bungalows features a private patio and art produced by local, emerging artists, with select rooms offering private hammocks and bunk beds. A mix of Alder, African Mahogany, American White Oak and Marine Grade Plywood add depth and interest to the space, while Greta Grossman sconces, George Nelson bubble lamps and antique furniture are an ode to the past. To further personalize the experience, the ownership team poured through black and white photographs of Malibu shot by the original property owner, Wayne Wilcox for imagery that adorns the walls of each room. Marmarino plaster walls add texture and warmth and bathrooms feature white clé tiles and unlacquered brass, creating a light-filled, lived-in feel. Amenities such as Casper beds, Aesop bath products, custom-made deadstock African fabric robes, curated minibars, high-speed Wi-Fi, and on-site parking provide additional comfort.
Hotel June Malibu’s inviting swimming pool and deck embody the spirit of the coastal location. Landscaping featuring indigenous plants and trees cascades down the length of the property to the pool and elevated lounge deck, offering guests a secluded space to relax. Pairs of adjustable lounge chairs and umbrellas dot the perimeter of the pool, which is exclusively available to guests and those booking the property for private events. Envisioned as a gathering space, Hotel June Malibu offers a welcoming setting for events and creative programming inspired by Southern California’s seemingly limitless summers.
With its prime location off the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, in addition to proximity to the region’s most prized beaches and world-class surfing destinations, Hotel June Malibu is a short drive to popular trailheads, the Malibu Pier, Pepperdine University, renowned shopping and dining at the Malibu Country Mart, and wine tasting at Malibu vineyards. Guests can book reservations directly at 424.644.0517 or through the Hotel June Malibu website, https://www.thehoteljune.com/malibu/.
Hotel June Malibu, 28920 CA-1, Malibu, CA 90265
About Hotel Ownership
SKG Investments is a boutique Los Angeles-based privately held real estate investment firm specializing in ground up, re-development and value-add lifestyle and residential projects located in supply-constrained, West Coast markets. In addition to Hotel June Malibu, SKG Investments is also partnered with institutional investors on several other real estate projects throughout the U.S.
About Proper Hospitality
Proper Hospitality designs, brands, and operates high-end lifestyle hospitality experiences under the Proper, Hotel June and The Collective brands. Each property is a distinct reflection of the vibrant community surrounding it, yet shares a common belief in uncommon luxury, convenience of location, and world-class amenities provided by locally vetted innovators in food and beverage, technology, art, music, fashion and wellness. Led by the visionaries behind The Kor Group, the company currently manages Proper branded hotels in Santa Monica, Downtown L.A., San Francisco and Austin, the Hotel June in West Los Angeles and Malibu; and The Collective, a curation of design-driven independent hotels including Avalon Hotels in Beverly Hills and Palm Springs, the Ingleside Inn in Palm Springs, and the Venice V Hotel in Venice Beach. Look to see the brands expand into new markets such as Portland, Miami, New York, Nashville, Denver and others. For more information, visit: www.properhotel.com.
