Jill Weinlein
Perched on a coastal bluff above the Pacific Ocean, the elegantly designed craftsman-style Montage Laguna Beach offers 30 acres of sprawling lawns, sandy beach, and a marine sanctuary. Built in 2003, all the 258 guest rooms and suites in the five story hotel have ocean and coastal views, luxury amenities, and an outdoor balcony or patio.
There are also beachfront cottages on the grounds of Montage Laguna Beach offering outdoor entrances and full ocean and sunset views.
The Montage never closed during the pandemic, because of The Residences at Montage, however it was quieter inactivity during the stay-at-home orders. Guests staying at the resort were able to order room service when the three dining venues closed due to state mandates. Now two of the three dining venues reopened offering impeccable outdoor dining service.
The resort is welcoming COVID-weary guests seeking a much needed gataway.
Jill Weinlein
Walking into the main lobby, one feels an ocean breeze as they leave their car with a valet and walk to the reception desk to check in. ‘We renovated the resort last year in soothing coastal colors,’ said Anne Marie Doyle, Director of Sales and Marketing, ‘All the fun is on the main lobby. Everyone stops at the viewing terrace to admire our signature mosaic swimming pool and get their barrings, before going to their room.’
The lobby is arranged as if you were stepping into someone’s multi-million dollar oceanfront home. Comfortable couches and chairs are arranged around a flickering fireplace. There is also a large lounge and bar where guests can order a glass of champagne or cocktail to take out on the outdoor terrace to unwind and look for dolphins surfacing in the ocean.
The inviting 82-degree tiled pool entices guests for a swim, and the spacious deck area offers comfortable lounge chairs spaced for social distancing. Below the deck is a separate heated bubbling whirlpool.
Jill Weinlein
Guestrooms are beautifully appointed with luxury linens on a king size bed or two queen size beds. Approximately 500 sq. ft., in size, these rooms offer a balcony with chairs and a table or a ground floor patio leading out to the main pool or lawns.
Elegantly designed marble bathrooms feature dual sink, a deep soaking bathtub and separate shower. Inside the walk-in closet are complimentary slippers and a bathrobe for use when at the resort.
The one to four bedroom luxurious suites overlook the beach, sand and waves. Some offer Laguna Niguel to ocean views, while others look out towards the Newport Coast.
The Ocean Suite is double in size to a guest room with about 1,000 sq. ft, and a large private balcony or patio. It’s an ideal spot to sit at for morning coffee, afternoon reading or a champagne toast before dinner. Open the small refrigerator, and guests will notice a complimentary bottle of Piper Heidsieck waiting to be opened.
The four poster king-size bed is dressed with luxury linens, and there is a separate living area with sofa bed. The marble bathroom offers a deep soaking tub and separate shower, large walk-in closet, bathrobes and slippers.
Jill Weinlein
Splurge for the extra spacious 2,244 sq. ft., Founders Suite offering two bedrooms and dramatic ocean views. There is a light-filled fully equipped gourmet kitchen, great room with a dining table for 6 people and a large living room, plus sliding doors leading out to an extra spacious patio with an outdoor dining table, lawn area and lounge chairs. The Master bedroom offers one king bed, and second bedroom has two queen beds for families to have some privacy. There are two marble bathrooms with deep soak bathtubs and separate showers plus a guest washroom. This suite can connect to an Ocean Coastal King Room to create a three-bedroom suite for an additional cost.
The Montage Laguna Beach has separate Ocean Surf Bungalow Suites near the Founders Suite that are more secluded and have an outdoor entrance. This unobstructed ocean and beach view cottages are approximately 1,000 sq. ft. and offer the ambiance of a private beach house. Each has a private patio or balcony, one king-sized bed, a gas fireplace, a separate living area with a queen-sized sofa bed, and a marble bath with a deep soaking tub and separate shower. Bungalow Suites can be configured up to four bedrooms with connecting doors.
Jill Weinlein
Two of the three signature restaurants are open – The Loft and Mosiac Bar & Grille. Soon the craftsman-designed Studio Restaurant will open offering one of the most spectacular menus and views of the California coast. Chef Benjamin Martinek thoughtfully prepares cuisine using flowers, herbs and produce from his on-property Chefs garden for artistically presented land and sea menu items. Signature favorites include local seabass ceviche, burrata and baby beet salad with figs, seared Maine scallops and lobster risotto.
The Loft offers outdoor seating for breakfast and dinner, while the poolside Mosiac Bar & Grille presents lunch daily with an innovative California-inspired menu offering salads, grilled sandwiches and fresh daily seafood fare.
In-room dining is available 24 hours a day, starting with a morning espresso and egg white omelet to a nightcap and dessert while sitting on your balcony looking up at the stars and listening to the waves.
Jill Weinlein
The recently opened 20,000-square-foot spa offers an array of therapeutic facial and body treatments to promote wellness and a glow-up. The boutique is filled with coastal resort and recreation apparel, plus elegant Montage face masks for a vacation memento. The spa offers the second heated pool overlooking Treasure Cove beach and an outdoor bubbling whirlpool.
The resort’s fitness center offers cardiovascular equipment indoors and outside. Ride one of the stationary bicycles while taking in the ocean views, use the Life Fitness strength training equipment and free weights.
Other outdoor activities include walking along the public pathways maintained by The Montage staff to Treasure Island beach. It’s one of the most picturesque and impeccably clean beach areas in Laguna Beach. There are benches throughout the upper bluff beach park to sit and take in the views, and a ramp leading down to the sandy beach and tidepools. Guest can walk along the sandy shore from Aliso Creek to Victoria Beach.
The seafloor at Treasure Island is sandy, making it easy to enter for swimming. Large rock formations help block the waves and provide two protected coves with clear water for snorkeling.
Jill Weinlein
During the month of February and on Valentine’s Day weekend, celebrate your love with a romantic getaway special; featuring accommodations in an oceanfront guestroom, with an upgrade based on availability, an evening amenity of sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries, rose petal turndown, $100 dining credit for an indulgent breakfast or dinner at The Loft or breakfast in bed through In Room Dining. Click here to view details and availability now through February 28, 2021.
