The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Beachfront bliss in Orange County
VERIFIED LUXURY
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These are excellent properties with consistently good service and facilities.
Soon To Be Rated
As our highly trained, incognito inspectors work to assess properties, our editors check them out ahead of time and provide a sneak preview of what to expect.
Situated atop a 150-foot bluff overlooking the ocean, the Mediterranean style villa that house The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is an elegant retreat. Guest rooms have been decorated in a palette of cream and soft blue to reflect the beach setting and have ocean, pool or garden views.
The resort has three restaurants, including enoSTEAK, a cozy steakhouse that also offers artisanal cheeses, charcuterie and a sizeable wine collection. Surfing lessons are available at the beach, and the spa is fabulous with its contemporary California-glam décor and full menu of luxurious treatments. Golfers come to play several spectacular courses nearby.
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Our Inspector's Highlights
- The Mediterranean-style property sits atop a 150-foot bluff overlooking the sparkling Pacific Ocean, which means you get fantastic views from every room.
- This is a surfer’s paradise—take surf lessons, surf tours, surfer clinics for women and stand-up paddleboarding classes. Wetsuits, Billabong boards, wax and other equipment are provided as well, so all you have to do is show up and dive in.
- The family-friendly California hotel offers a variety of ways to keep little ones busy, but some of the best activities for kids are through the property’s Ambassadors of the Environment program, which plans everything from whale-watching excursions to tide pool trips.
- Beach butlers are at your beck and call. They will shuttle you to Salt Creek Beach in a golf cart; set you up with beach chairs, umbrellas, towels and sunscreen; dole out body boards, water noodles and other gear; take care of any food and drink orders; and even build sandcastles with the kids.
- You’ll be inspired to break a sweat when you see the gym at this Orange County hotel. There are floor-to-ceiling windows that look out on the ocean and sand.
Things to Know
- The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is a family destination, so expect to see a lot of children running around, especially in the summer.
- If you fall in love with the plush down feather bed duvet on your bed, you can purchase one to take home at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel’s gift shop.
- A pillow menu can be found in the closet of your guest room if you need a firmer alternative to the plushy down option provided for you.
The Rooms
- Borrowing from this Dana Point hotel’s beachfront location, guest rooms and suites feature ocean-inspired décor, airy layouts and private balconies overlooking the Pacific or the resort garden and pool.
- The plush beds are dressed in 400-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and luxurious goose down duvets that ensure a restful night’s sleep.
- Amenities include iPod docking stations, 42-inch LED TVs with DVD players, mini-fridges and safes. Bathrooms are stocked with exclusive Asprey bath products.
- The lovely bathrooms at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel are one of the best parts of the room. The his-and-her vanities are separated by a wall, which ensures plenty of room and some privacy when getting ready.
The Restaurants
- If it’s ocean-view dining you’re after, then Raya inside The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel will do the trick. The pan-Latin, all-day dining restaurant has knockout vistas and cuisine to match.
- Chef Richard Sandoval’s signature Latin flavors are infused in dishes at every meal. For dinner, small plates include a variety of ceviches, rock shrimp quesdillas and Santa Barbara blue mussels fritas.
- For a meatier option, try enoSTEAK, a tucked-away spot off of the lobby. The cozy, wood-filled steakhouse plates cuts of prime and grass-fed, pasture-raised beef.
- But the glass wine cases in the room hint at another reason to visit enoSTEAK: Head to there to enjoy a glass of vino paired with artisanal cheeses and charcuterie.
- Casual options include the Dana Pool Café—which features light bites, a kids menu and cocktails—while the Marketplace Coffee Shop offers gourmet coffee drinks, pastries, panini and more.
Getting There
1 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Dana Point, California 92629
TEL949-240-2000
NEARBY AIRPORT(S)
SNA (28-35 min)
LGB (40-55 min)
LAX (1 h-1 h 15 min)
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
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