211 North Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, California, United States | (251) 219-4428
Casual-chic inn with a convenient, photogenic location
Walking distance to the beach and in-town attractions
Comfy accommodations with coastal-inspired decor
Most rooms provide ocean views; some include balconies
All have coffeemakers, minibars, flat-screen TVs and iHome docks
Outdoor Pool with loungers and hot tub
Rooftop terrace/bar overlooking the Pacific
2,700-square feet of meeting space
Free evening wine reception
Free lobby treats (including Starbucks coffee and warm cookies)
Free local phone calls, newspapers, and hotel-wide Wi-Fi
Roadside rooms may be subject to noise
No on-site restaurant or fitness center
Breakfast and parking cost extra
Mandatory resort fee charged
Perched on a bluff, this three-pearl boutique hotel delivers dramatic views as well as easy on-foot access to Main Beach and numerous urban amenities. Its 70 rooms -- all tastefully decorated in a breezy coastal style -- are well equipped with modern conveniences: coffeemakers, minibars, flat-screen TVs, and iHome docks among them. Most provide at least a glimpse of the water, too, and some boast oceanside balconies. Views can also be savored from the stunning terrace/bar. There aren't any other significant on-site facilities save for an outdoor pool and meeting rooms. But assorted freebies -- including an evening wine reception -- add to the property's value. If you’re looking for a mid-range alternative with more features (and a livelier atmosphere), try Pacific Edge or La Casa del Camino instead.
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Scene
An established favorite with a comparatively quiet, coastal vibe
Approached from the street, this inn is a mishmash of styles, with Modernist -- almost motel-like elements -- oddly offset by Spanish colonial ones. However, the beach-y light-filled lobby with its striped rattan armchairs and rustic tiled floor helps establish a unified look that extends through the rest of the property: an oversized shell-studded mirror, for instance, hangs in the mezzanine while surfboards have been cleverly repurposed as benches outside. Like the decor, the mood is "calm coastal," which makes the hotel popular among older couples and families (even the family dog is welcome for a fee). Rooms with two Queen beds and/or sleeper sofas have particular appeal for the latter; connecting ones are also available.
Location
Centrally positioned on the northern end of Main Beach
Overlooking the Pacific, this heart-of-town hotel offers guests the best of both worlds location-wise. It’s adjacent to Heisler Park and just minutes on foot from both Main Beach and urban attractions like the Laguna Art Museum. Hiking trails and waterside walkways are also easy to access; ditto for bars, boutiques, and eateries. As a result, you don’t need a car, but paid underground parking is available on-site (a real boon for guests who’ve brought one). Note that the inn is positioned about mid-way between the LA and San Diego airports; Orange County’s own (the John Wayne Airport) is considerably closer, and can be reached in 20 minutes if traffic cooperates.- Two-minute walk to Laguna Art Museum
Rooms
Comfortable, well-equipped rooms with classic coastal style
Airy accommodations in each of the six categories -- from Village Rooms to Vista Suites -- are appropriately decorated in sandy beige hues. Rattan platform beds topped with white linens further enhance the beachy feel, as do the evocative plantation shutters, ceiling fans, and retro artworks. Bathrooms, done up in matching tile and wallpaper, feature combination shower/tubs or walk-in showers, cotton robes, and natural Lather bath products across all categories. All units include the same in-room perks, too: namely coffeemakers, minibars, flat-screen cable TVs, laptop safes, iHome docking stations, free Wi-Fi, and unlimited free local phone calls. So, size aside, it’s really the view that separates the different categories here. Most (though not all) provide full or partial ocean vistas, and the best of the lot come with furnished balconies. Light sleepers should be aware that rooms facing the front of the hotel rather than the water are accessed via an exterior corridor, which means they are less private and more prone to noise.
Features
Expect a pool, terrace/bar, and meeting rooms -- but no restaurant
In keeping with its three-pearl status, this property lacks some of the amenities that typically rank high on travelers’ wish lists -- most notably an in-house restaurant. That said, it's next door to Las Brisas, a local dining landmark. Moreover, a pop-up cafe appears right outside most weekends. Breakfast, which can be delivered to your room or enjoyed at the scenic top-floor terrace/bar, is available on-site daily at extra charge. The hotel hosts a free wine reception each evening on the same terrace, while the lobby thoughtfully offers free milk and cookies as a family-friendly alternative. Elsewhere, you will find two attractive A/V-equipped meeting rooms with a combined capacity of 100 people, plus a balmy pool area complete with a brick, lounger-lined patio and sunken hot tub. Other features include a 24-hour front desk; dry cleaning/laundry services; a per-room allotment of umbrellas, beach chairs, and beach towels; free Starbucks coffee or Tazo tea in the lobby, free weekday newspapers in the guest rooms, and free Wi-Fi throughout.
