Location: Laguna Beach, CA

Hotel Group: Auric Road

Interior Designer: Studio Robert McKinley/ Robert McKinley

Hotel Joaquin is a petite resort that celebrates authenticity, craftsmanship, local culture, adventure, defining culinary experiences and out-of-site technology. Each of the 22 rooms feature an eclectic mix of curated vintage seating, lighting and artwork mixed with modernist custom furniture. Minimalist lines and a clean palette emphasize real materials and the human hand of craftsmanship. Lack of ornamentation gives way to refined lines and pure materials: oiled white oak furnishings, handloomed rugs, raw brass fixtures, individually crafted tile, luxe handmade soft goods and monolithic stone bathrooms.

Rooms celebrate a more analogue life – free of televisions, but each equipped with an audiophile-worthy sound system, turntable and collection of vintage records. The intimate spaces create a more residential-scale experience, with a living-room, bar and dining area. Upon entering through a large oiled Iroko pivot door with a leather wrapped brass handle, the guest immediately experiences the remarkable craftsmanship that is the hallmark of this spectacular property. A minimalist check in experience gives way to a breezy living room with a beautiful mix of custom furniture and curated vintage. A beautiful bar anchors the room and looks out towards the iconic Laguna coastline. Hotel Joaquin’s salty backyard is just a short stroll away and can be enjoyed from nearly every vantage point on property.

Each piece in the hotel tells its own story, unique in provenance – with the rich patina of history, travel and journeymen past. Coupled with the fresh design of open spaces and bespoke pieces, Hotel Joaquin represents the symbiotic relationship between old and new – where history punctuates the beauty of modernity, and innovation gives nod to the past.