It seems that everyone dreams about the “endless summer” California holiday vacation. You know the one I’m talking about. Waking up to the sound of crashing surf. Room service delivering breakfast in bed. At Laguna Beach Surf & Sand Resort, you’ll be living the dream. My photos don’t do this place justice. The resort and its Laguna Beach location are what “wish you were here” postcards are made of. If you can’t get up early enough to photograph the sunrise, be sure to catch the sunset in the evening. It’s worth it. I promise.
Tucked along the publicly accessible Laguna Beach, Surf & Sand Resort sits on prime oceanfront real estate. The family-friendly property offers 167 hotel rooms, many with ocean views. I stayed in the Tower Building with a fabulous Southern California view of the Pacific Ocean. The waves are so close that the hotel offers earplugs for those wanting to mute the sounds of the surf.
All rooms include a minibar (it’s okay to remove their items and use the fridge as your own during your stay, as long as you put said items back) TV, DVD player, iPod docking station, robes, hairdryer, and safe.
- Search for Great Tours HERE
- Buy Travel Insurance
- Get a Car Rental
If you don’t like sand between your toes, there is a swimming pool next to the ocean and a fitness center. If this is a splurge vacation, you’ll want to reserve a spa treatment or two at the on-site Aquaterra Spa. My personal recommendation is to look into the Splunches package (check the rate for details and pricing.) On my visit I opted for the three-course meal and 60-minute Swedish massage. Allow time in the fireplace relaxation lounge and outdoor whirlpool before your treatment and then melt your cares away in the steam room.
The staff at the resort is friendly without being obtrusive. I asked if it would be possible to have my dessert from the restaurant boxed to-go and the response was, “of course, but why don’t you let us deliver it to your room?” While this was my first time at the resort, I was welcomed like a family member. I will be back!
Check-in time is at 4:00 p.m. and check out is at 12:00 p.m. If you find yourself in Laguna Beach before your room is ready, drop your bags at the front desk and grab a bite in one of the restaurants or order a cocktail on the patio – the view is complimentary.
Resort rates start at $465 per night and continue to $1,175 for a luxury vista suite in high season, as always, check the hotel website for current rates for a start. There is a pesky resort fee, but that allows access to the fitness room, covers WiFi, tea and coffee service, bottled water, the use of the computer in the coffee shop, as well as beach chairs and umbrellas. Additionally, you’ll need to pay the daily valet parking fee as there is no self-parking option. Pets under 30 pounds are allowed at Surf & Sand with a hefty one-time fee of $150.
Laguna Beach Surf & Sand Resort Review and photos by Nancy D. Brown, who was hosted at the resort and was a guest of the Orange County Visitors Association while researching a feature story for another publication.
