By Christy Scannell
SDUN Senior Editor
“Getaway 2 Give” allows travelers to choose from seven hotels in The OCeanfront, an Orange County resort association, for a two-night bed-and-breakfast package with 10 percent of proceeds split between four charities: Oceana, Special Olympics Southern California, Make-a-Wish Orange County and Lupus LA.
Participating hotels include The Balboa Bay Club and Resort, the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa, the Laguna Cliffs Resort and Spa, Montage Laguna Beach, the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel and the Surf and Sand Resort.
The “Getaway 2 Give” package can be reserved now with bookings available Sept. 13 to Dec. 31. Rates vary by property.
Travelers looking to combine their fun and philanthropy will find the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel a rewarding option. Opened in 1984 and extensively remodeled in 2005, the hotel sits on a bluff 150 feet above the ocean, giving public spaces and many guest rooms expansive views of the two miles of beachfront and water down below.
Let’s get something out of the way: this is not the place to go if you are counting shekels. Parking is $35 per night, the resort fee is $25 per day and good luck finding an inexpensive drink or meal at the resort. But that said, you get what you pay for—and that is luxury with a capital L.
The most basic of the 367 guest rooms (there are also 29 suites) includes a balcony overlooking the sea, garden or pool, and plush amenities such as a 42-inch plasma TV with DVD player, 400-thread-count bed sheets and comfortable bathrobes. The marble bathroom has double sinks and a large tub/shower combination. Unlike most Ritz-Carltons, this hotel does not have in-room coffeemakers, although as an employee told me, “At the Ritz-Carlton, if you want coffee, we’ll get you coffee.”
Other food and drink options at the hotel include Eno, a gorgeous wine and cheese tasting room; The Bar (formerly the Library Bar), a paneled lounge with a roaring fireplace even on a hot August afternoon; 180blu, an outdoor oceanfront bar serving cocktails and small plates; and a pool snack shack. The new kid on the block is main dining room Raya, which opened in May. Previously Restaurant 162, it swapped continental cuisine for Pan-Latin fare created by noted chef Richard Sandoval. The menu is weighted in sustainable and organic product with seafood as the star. Don’t miss the smoked swordfish dip.
A luxury hotel should have great room service, and this Ritz-Carlton does not disappoint. My husband said his New York steak was one of the best he has ever eaten, while my filet with truffled French fries was also outstanding. Service was prompt and efficient. And who couldn’t enjoy a meal to the sound of crashing ocean waves through the open balcony doors?
In addition to eating and drinking, you will find plenty to do at this resort. The state-of-the-art fitness center has floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the ocean. The spa offers a typical range of treatments plus outdoor yoga and pilates classes. Two outdoor pools are paired with hot tubs, while tennis courts are also available. We really enjoyed the beautiful lawn areas and walking paths around the hotel, especially the Adirondack chairs that allow you to relax and enjoy the setting sun.
A shuttle takes guests down to Salt Creek Beach below, a popular place for surfers. The daily resort fee includes beach chairs, umbrellas and body boards. It also includes unlimited wireless Internet throughout the resort, weekday newspaper delivery, access to the fitness center and classes, use of tennis courts and equipment, preferred tee times at a local golf course and the beach shuttle service. So while I wish hotels would do away with these compulsory fees, the Ritz-Carlton’s actually provides ample value.
Anyone who becomes a “regular” at Ritz-Carlton hotels is entered into the hotel’s proprietary Mystique computer system. While the contents of that program are shrouded in secrecy, a manager did reveal that preferences as simple as which side of the bed a guest sleeps on are noted in that customer’s file, allowing housekeepers to place bottled water and slippers in the correct place during turn-down service.
Big Brother-esque? Perhaps. But I’d be happy to be that younger sibling.
The Getaway 2 Give package at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel is $425 per night, including breakfast for two and passes to South Coast Plaza’s VIP suite. For more information, go to ritzcarlton.com or theoceanfrontca.com.
Distance from Uptown: about 65 miles
Driving time: a little over an hour, depending on traffic
To get there: Take I-5 north to Exit 79/Beach Cities, and merge onto the Pacific Coast Highway. Go three miles and turn left on Niguel Road.
Best time to go: Warm weather is best for beach activities but cool weather is romantic with the hotel’s balconies, fireplace and views.
Avoid: Skip the hotel’s gift shop and head into town for drinks and snacks you can store in your in-room refrigerator.
Best for: Romantic weekend or family vacation
Not so great for: Budget-conscious travelers
Don’t miss: Whale watching, surfers and sunset—all from your balcony
Tip: The hotel’s Club Level offers complimentary food and beverages, including alcohol, for about $100 more per night, per room. (Not available with the Getaway 2 Give package.)
