The Varden

The Varden is the first (and only) boutique hotel in Long Beach, a great value for money with many modern touches and comfort beyond other hotels in its price range.

The Varden is an exciting new property, created with great thoughtfulness by two entrepreneurs who are justifiably passionate about their creation. They have transformed the old Dolly Varden Hotel, built in 1929 into one of the most refreshing and restful hotel environments we've seen in years.

If I didn't tell you, you'd never know that owner Larry Black has never designed a hotel before. It's immediately clear that he has a great sense of design and even more important, a focus on making people comfortable above all else. The color scheme is soothing blue-gray and white, with repeated geometric elements. Contemporary, clean-lined furnishings and fittings gathered from Europe and the U.S. create a sleek, modern look.

On the hospitality side of the house, co-owner Charles Knowlton knows how to run a hotel, having worked at some of Southern California's most prestigious properties. Everything was running smoothly only weeks after the hotel opened, with full attention to housekeeping and the guest experience.

This place is so nice that we expect it will be booked up far in advance, so if you want to stay there reserve as early as you can.

We are obviously enthusiastic about The Varden, but it may not be for everyone. If you like your hotels big, with rooms service and lots of amenities, if you want to sleep in a king-sized bed or if you want a bathtub rather than just a shower, you may be more comfortable somewhere else. Rooms have only one bed each (with a double or queen mattress), but with such affordable rates, two of them here may be more affordable than one double room elsewhere.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer received complimentary accommodation. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more info, see our ethics policy.