Laguna Beach Resorts
Even though many hotels, motels and other dwellings call
themselves Laguna Beach resorts there are only a few that
I would deem worthy of this title. My first criteria is that
I've been there myself and checked these places out (as a
14-year-resident of Laguna Beach this wasn't difficult).
My second criteria is that all of the Laguna Beach resorts
have to be on the ocean side of PCH (Pacific Coast Highway)
and that they have an excellent view of the ocean and are
but a few steps away.
Probably the most extravagant and newest of the Laguna Beach
resorts is the Montage. Everything about the Montage is upscale
and first class. From having one of the top Laguna
Beach spas, to their excellent hotel rooms and bungalows,
to the fine dining they offer is first rate.
And in order for the Montage to acquire this seaside location
on a cliff above the beach, they had to make part of the magnificent
walking path public, which is alive with many different flowers
and exotic plants. If money is no object and you have to pick
one Laguna Beach resort to stay in, my pick would be the Montage.
Before the Montage came along the Surf & Sand Resort
was perhaps the most famous Laguna Beach oceanfront hotel
that the rich & famous celebrities liked to stay at. Famous
names like Robert DeNiro, Matthew Perry, Heather Locklear
and Bono have stayed at this resort.
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The Surf & Sand Resort boasts
one of the Top 10 Destination Spas in the U. S. along
with one of the Top 10 Wine Spas worldwide. My second
pick in upscale Laguna Beach Resorts would definitely
be the Surf & Sand.
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Now, if you want to stray a little bit outside of Laguna
Beach proper there is the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel. Even
though it says Laguna Niguel which is mostly inland, the Ritz
Carlton is halfway in-between South Laguna Beach and Dana
Point on PCH. Like the other Ritz Hotels it is upscale and
worth checking out plus it is right on the beach.
Even thought these are the prime Laguna Beach Resorts, I'd
like to throw in two more picks for different reasons that
aren't as upscale (or pricey) and are fun nonetheless to enjoy.
The first of these is the Hotel Laguna and the second is the
Inn at Laguna Beach.
The Hotel Laguna has been around since the 1920's and is
right on the beach and in fact has a roped off area of the
beach that only the guests can lounge in. The rooms are small,
but Clae's restaurant with an ocean view offers good food
and it even has a small courtyard.
This is not as luxurious or elegant as the other resorts,
but just walking inside and looking at the historical pictures
on the wall and reading the history behind them is well worth
the trip.
The second of what I will not refer to as a "budget
resort" is the Inn at Laguna Beach. While the Hotel Laguna
is one on end of the Main Beach boardwalk, the Inn at Laguna
Beach is on the other end.
Two of the redeeming features of the Inn at Laguna Beach
is that it is upon a magnificently sculpted hill with a wonderful
view from any ocean side room plus the restaurant next door.
The restaurant is called Las Brisas, which is perhaps the
most famous restaurant in Laguna Beach. To me, the food is
so-so, but the views from the restaurant are spectacular.
Anyway, I've listed my top picks for the Laguna Beach Resorts
big and small, so why not check out the city today and find
out your top picks?
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