After briefly living in Orange County, I could never forget the crystal clear Laguna Beach water, the palm tree filled Fashion Island outdoor mall, or riding bikes on the Newport Beach boardwalk.
These are just some of the highlights to visiting this destination. Intrigued? Here’s a roundup of the most luxurious and Citizen Femme travel worthy hotels.
The Resort at Pelican Hill
Welcome to one of the most luxurious hotels in Orange County! Located in Newport Coast, this large property features 7 restaurants, a gorgeous wedding venue, spa, a 36-hole Tom Fazio designed golf course and one of the largest circular pools in the world. The rooms or “Bungalows” feel like they could be an entire house, especially the suites. The hotel also offers spacious Villas with their own club pool for families and larger parties. Enjoy a special occasion meal in the main Italian restaurant, Andrea, by ordering the mouthwatering Barrel-Aged Acquerello Risotto while enjoying a live guitar session from 6pm-9pm. You can also rent a cabana overlooking the golf course, indulge in a specialty cocktail like the Wild Flower, and float away in the Coliseum infinity pool. Don’t forget to walk over to the spa and spend the rest of the afternoon soaking in the saltwater tub in the acclaimed Acqua Colonnades. Ready to book?
Montage Laguna Beach
This staple 250 guestroom resort in Laguna Beach features a mosaic pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a beach concierge, numerous on-site restaurants and spa. Start your day by laying out on one of the best beaches in Southern California with the help of the resort’s very own beach butler. You might even forget where you are with the unbelievable crystal blue water during the summer season. Finish off with jumping in their famous mosaic pool for a dip and start getting ready for dinner with the help of their celebrity stylist-owned Kim Vo salon. After getting pampered, walk outside to enjoy cliffside dining at the Studio, and try the tasting menu that features items like the vegetarian dish Celerini Alfredo and the Macallan Whiskey Sour dessert.
Surf & Sand Resort
This breathtaking hotel is smaller in size than its competitors but is located right on the sand in Laguna Beach. There are many things to do from casually relaxing at their spa, staying fit in their fitness center, enjoying the pool amenities, indulging in a fresh ceviche or maybe even getting married! Start out with breakfast at their BLD restaurant Splashes and enjoy Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast and Red Velvet Pancakes for brunch. Spend a day at the oceanfront pool or stroll up and down the beach, while pondering whether to take stand-up paddleboard lessons. As sunset approaches enjoy a private dinner on your terrace while watching the waves crash. It’s an all-encompassing daydream!
Balboa Bay Resort
If you’d like to be in the center of the Newport Beach peninsula scene then Balboa Bay Resort is the best option. Whether you’re joining your friend on their mega yacht parked outside the hotel or relaxing at the resort’s newly renovated pool, this Hotel is centrally located and keeps up with its competitive service and luxury accommodation. Enjoy a formal brunch at Waterline or go for a cocktail at Anchors & Oceans gastropub. They have great vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free menus for guests with food restrictions and offer goodies like Watermelon “Pico de Gallo”, Baked Spaghetti Squash, and a classic Quinoa Bowl. A must is also the massages at their full-service spa, or enjoy one of the water activities in the bay like kayaking!
Monarch Beach Resort
Monarch Beach resort was previously bought out by the Denver-based KSL Capital Partners LLC, renamed from the St. Regis, and remodeled, before it reopened in the summer of 2016. The amenities for both couples and families and the stellar service of this hotel keeps us coming back for more. The resort consists of 8 restaurants, spa, an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, a beach club, a 24-hour athletic club, and tennis courts. If you’re not into activities, get pampered in the Miraval Spa and opt for a blowout from the popular Drybar and get your nails done at the Deborah Lippmann nail salon. The afternoon can be spent lounging on the beach with the help of a private beach concierge whilst relishing in fresh fish tacos from the Monarch Bay Club restaurant. There’s also tons of water activities like kayaking or surf lessons! You can end your day at the signature Michael Mina restaurant Stonehill Tavern. Michael’s Lobster Pot Pie anyone?
Island Hotel, Newport Beach
Formerly the Four Seasons hotel, the Island is known for its proximity to Fashion Island, the outdoor Newport Beach shopping mall, and their famous Aqua Lounge, located inside the hotel. Check into the Island Club lounge located on the 20th floor that serves a continental breakfast, afternoon snacks, evening appetizers, and complimentary wine and beer from 5pm-7pm everyday. You can also get your own private shopper for Fashion Island, a concierge to book your every need, and free dry cleaning. Start your day by reserving one of their cabanas by the pool and sipping on a popular “Mixology” cocktail. Then relax with a quick massage in your room and head over to Fashion Island to shop ‘till you drop’! Later grab a Paloma Nueva Mescal drink at their featured restaurant the Oak Grill and wait for dinner to be served. The restaurant offers everything from Braised Short Ribs to a Maine Lobster Chopped Salad. Finish the evening off at Aqua Lounge by getting a booth and dancing the night away to OC’s hottest DJ. Who’s ready to party?
The Ranch at Laguna Beach
The Ranch is a newcomer to the Orange County hotel scene and there’s no other concept like it around, situated right between canyon and sea. The hotel encourages their guests to let their hair down and take in the beautiful mountainside aura. The Ranch offers a 9-hole Ben Brown’s golf course, a pool, beach transportation, Harvest restaurant, spa, and many activities for kids. If golf is your thing, start your day with a round of golf on their private course where, according to the hotel, you can easily meet your new friends! Then head over to the beach with your custom picnic basket lunch to enjoy the fresh ocean air. Spend the rest of the day lounging by the Pond pool while roaming through the long list of beers on tap. Finish off with a massage in the 3000-square foot spa and end the night in the hotel restaurant, Harvest, where food is grown right in their back yard. There’s also great activities at Roger Station kid’s camp where children can learn about how to survive in the wilderness, explore the grounds, and learn about the animals in the local area.
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
This beautiful resort is located on the edge of the cliff in Dana Point. Start out by enjoying the famous Ritz-Carlton brunch on Sunday at Raya, a restaurant by Richard Sandoval. The ocean front view isn’t too shabby either. Hotel goers are often mesmerized by the view of the surfers catching waves as they dine! After brunch head down to the beach where you can enjoy your pre-booked surf lesson right the Salt Creek Beach. The Ritz offers many children-family activities and a beach butler. After a long day of enjoying the SoCal weather walk over to the spa where you will be treated to the Pacific Wave, an Ashiatsu barefoot massage to get rid of all the tightness and tension in your body. Other activities include nearby golf courses and Eco-Adventure Center excursions that the hotel could easily arrange a booking for. Finish off the day at enoSteak, the hotel’s intimate steakhouse. There are many options for the non-meat eaters too like the signature seafood sampler for the table, you might even be tempted to go for this instead of the steak!
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