Modern Luxury Riviera Orange County reveals its 2024 Travel Award winners. Let the vacation begin!
An aerial view of Montage Laguna Beach; ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRANDS
MONTAGE LAGUNA BEACH
Opened in 2003, Montage Laguna Beach is the property that started it all for Montage International. Its stunning waterfront location offers expansive ocean views from nearly all its coastal suites and bungalows. Take a dip in the famous Mosaic Pool, relax at Spa Montage or grab a drink in the Lobby Lounge, where live music often sets the mood. The Loft and Mosaic Bar & Grille provide elegant dining options, while the new Friends of the Chef dinner series, led by executive chef David Serus, invites gourmands to dine with award-winning culinarians. Upcoming events include Taste of New American with chef David Feau of Wally’s Beverly Hills on May 17; Taste of Baja with chef Roberto Alcocer of Valle on June 21; and Taste of France with Master Chefs of France on July 14. montage.com/lagunabeach
The waterfront Balboa Bay Resort
BALBOA BAY RESORT
Opened in 2003, Balboa Bay Resort is the only waterfront property in Newport Beach, occupying 15 harbor-side acres. Stay in one of the 159 guest rooms or 10 suites before visiting the guest exclusive spa to enjoy massages and facials or get a blowout at the on-site Drybar. Take to the water with a kayak, stand-up paddle board or 12-seat Duffy, or rent a cabana by the pool. Enjoy a casual dinner by the water at A+O Restaurant | Bar (snag a seat by a fire pit for the most coveted spot on the patio), and don’t miss the resort’s weekly Sunday Seafood Brunch in the Lighthouse Room. balboabayresort.com
HOTEL JOAQUIN
This intimate boutique hotel in Laguna Beach is a treasure tucked along the Pacific Coast Highway. With chic and playful individually designed rooms, this adults-only hotel is within walking distance of Laguna Beach’s most exquisite beaches and only a couple of miles from the famous Top of the World hiking spot, among other scenic trails. On-site dining, a sparkling pool and rooms featuring record players—in place of TVs—add to the charm of this Auric Road property. hoteljoaquin.com
The pool at the Inn at The Mission San Juan Capistrano
INN AT THE MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
The Inn at The Mission rests in the historic Spanish-inspired town of San Juan Capistrano, perfecting the balance of centuries-old tradition and modern wonder. This upscale hotel offers warmly decorated, refined rooms and suites only a five-minute walk from the Los Rios Historic District and four miles from the famous Doheny State Beach. Relax in the dazzling pool or unwind at the Spa at the Mission, situated among the lush flora and olive trees surrounding the hotel. Be sure to make a reservation for tapas and drinks at the elegant Spanish restaurant Ysidora. innatthemissionsjc.com
Bar Pendry at Pendry Newport Beach
PENDRY NEWPORT BEACH
A partnership between Montage International and Eagle Four Partners, Pendry Newport Beach bowed in fall 2023, bringing with it 295 guest rooms, 82 of which are luxury suites with balconies or private patios offering ocean, harbor and bay views. Clique Hospitality’s debut Orange County restaurant, SET Steak & Sushi, offers locals upscale cuisine from the land and sea, while the buzzy Bar Pendry is Newport Beach’s hottest new watering hole. Pendry Newport Beach also features Spa Pendry and The Elwood Club, a private membership club featuring a cabaret lounge and restaurant. pendry.com/newport-beach
THE WATERFRONT BEACH RESORT, A HILTON HOTEL
This picturesque beachfront property is a luxurious home base for exploring Huntington Beach’s landmarks, from the scenic pier to the International Surfing Museum. Relax with the resort’s two pools, waterslides, private cabanas and serene day spa. Stop by Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Beach Club for day-to-night dining, visit Henry’s Coastal Cuisine for a sophisticated oceanfront dining experience or enjoy sunset drinks at the Offshore 9 Rooftop Lounge. At the end of the day, return to a contemporary ocean-view room or suite in one of The Waterfront’s two sleek towers. waterfrontresort.com
SURF & SAND RESORT
You can’t get much closer to the Pacific’s rolling waves than at this quintessential Laguna Beach resort, set on a 500-foot stretch of shoreline. Summer 2024 ushers in a new chapter for the property, which is currently undergoing a top-to-bottom multimillion-dollar refresh. Expect a complete reimagination of its 165 guest rooms, 10,000 square feet of meeting spaces, the beloved Splashes restaurant and bar, the AquaTerra spa, the oceanfront pool and shared spaces. surfandsandresort.com
JW MARRIOTT, ANAHEIM RESORT
This AAA four-diamond luxury hotel offers easy access to Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim Gardenwalk while boasting its own enticing amenities on-site. Stroll in the JW Garden, achieve serenity in the yoga and Zen room, or take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool. Carnivores will love the award-winning Tocca Ferro Italian Chophouse, led by executive chef Adam Haverland, and Parkestry Rooftop Bar & Lounge, Anaheim’s highest bar, is the perfect place to share small bites or a nightcap under the stars. marriott.com
THE RITZ-CARLTON, LAGUNA NIGUEL
Since 1984, beach lovers have flocked to this exquisite property perched high above Dana Point’s Salt Creek Beach. Nearly 400 rooms and suites offer plenty of luxury accommodations. In true Ritz-Carlton fashion, select spaces grant access to the beloved Club Level Lounge, where complimentary cuisine and beverages are provided from sunup to sundown. The outdoor 180blu and beautiful Raya restaurant have proven popular for decades, but in recent years, The Ritz-Carlton has introduced exclusive culinary pop-ups. Chef Sanjay Rawat’s Kahani showcases the flavors of his native New Delhi, while Taikun is an exclusive 16-seat omakase that will delight sushi lovers. ritzcarlton.com
VEA NEWPORT BEACH
A sprawling luxury resort located just a stone’s throw from Fashion Island, VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa, is the perfect place to enjoy a staycation. Accommodations range from coastal-chic guest rooms and suites to spacious two- to four-bedroom retreats, ideal for housing the whole family. Break a sweat in the 5,000-square-foot fitness center, where you’ll find Pelotons and weightlifting equipment, or relax in the 14,000-square-foot Spa VEA. Onsite dining and imbibing include the new Reveal Lounge, the ocean-facing Edge Bar and VIEW Restaurant & Bar, which features a second-story floating lanai with fire pits. veanewportbeach.com
Hotel guests have exclusive access to the oceanfront Monarch Beach Bay Club.
WALDORF ASTORIA MONARCH BEACH RESORT & CLUB
Embrace SoCal’s beach culture in luxury style at this AAA five-diamond Dana Point property that boasts 175 acres of coastal opulence. The guest- and member-exclusive Monarch Bay Beach Club includes shorefront dining, surf lessons, stand-up paddleboard rentals and fire pit experiences complete with s’mores for classic summertime fun. Send Dad to the 18-hole championship golf course, let the little ones explore the tide pools with the resort’s resident beach ambassador, and treat Mom to relaxing treatments at the Waldorf Astoria Spa. Don’t miss AVEO Table + Bar or Bourbon Steak for delicious dining options. waldorfastoriamonarchbeach.com
THE RANCH AT LAGUNA BEACH
A lush sanctuary awaits at The Ranch at Laguna Beach, where outdoor lovers will discover hiking trails, a nine-hole golf course and cuisine that pays homage to California’s rich bounty at Harvest restaurant and bar. Unique cultural offerings at the property include the opportunity to design and shape your own surfboard with Hobie’s Gary Larson, engage in plein air painting with renowned artist John Crosby and an exploration of the nearby Orange County Bird of Prey Center. theranchlb.com
LIDO HOUSE
Located adjacent to Lido Marina Village, Lido House is a nautical-themed Autograph Collection property with 130 guest rooms, including five three-story cottages that are ideal to call a home away from home. All individually designed by five local interior design firms, the three-story structures range in size from the 1,196-square-foot Bay Cottage, which sleeps five, to the 1,525-square-foot Linda Cottage, which sleeps six. Guests can access all of Lido House’s top-notch amenities—from the 24-hour fitness center, pool and Boost Spa to Topside Rooftop Bar, Crew Coffee & Cremerie and Mayor’s Table Pacific Pub & Kitchen. lidohousehotel.com
AVENUE OF THE ARTS, A TRIBUTE PORTFOLIO HOTEL
The city’s only AAA four-diamond accommodation offers a posh, music-inspired setting with luxury suites, private poolside cabanas and a retail therapy package to shop VIP-style at nearby South Coast Plaza. Indulge in upscale cuisine at the award-winning Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar or sip theater-inspired cocktails at the on-site lounge before a show at the nearby Segerstrom Center for the Arts. avenueoftheartshotel.com
DISNEY’S GRAND CALIFORNIAN HOTEL & SPA
Discover the magic of Disney at this craftsman-style property that offers its guests special access and premium perks at the nearby Disneyland Park. The lush grounds are dotted with myriad pools, and the award-winning Napa Rose restaurant provides an elegant fine dining experience—plus a three-course Disney Princess breakfast. Little ones can also dine with Disney characters at the Storytellers Cafe, and Tenaya Stone Spa is the perfect place to kick up your feet after a full day at the park. disneyland.disney.go.com
An aerial view of The Resort at Pelican Hill
THE RESORT AT PELICAN HILL
Sprawled across 504 acres in Newport Coast, this Forbes five-star, AAA five-diamond property includes 204 guest rooms and 128 villas. Take a dip in the Coliseum Pool—one of the world’s largest circular pools—before teeing off at the 36-hole, Tom Fazio-designed Pelican Hill Golf Club. An oasis of relaxation, The Spa at Pelican Hill is Newport Beach’s only Forbes five-star spa. Open daily, the 23,000-square-foot space invites guests to enjoy body treatments, massages, facials, hair and nail services, and the Acqua Colonnades featuring herbal steam rooms, saunas and saltwater soaking tubs. Pure bliss! pelicanhill.com
PASÉA HOTEL & SPA
Perched on the ocean’s edge, this Huntington Beach hotel offers luxurious views, an oceanfront pool and rejuvenating treatments at Aarna Spa—plus new culinary offerings at the forthcoming Lōrea. Pamper your pooch as well with Paséa’s pet-friendly travel program. Upon arrival, you and your furry friend will receive an in-room bed, food and water bowls, a welcome treat, pet gift shop items and custom amenities. Let your pet run leash-free through the waves at the nearby Huntington Dog Beach or the hotel’s exclusive Paw-séa Pup Play Park, a fenced-in 1,100-square-foot outdoor dog area complete with a lifeguard station doghouse. The hotel concierge can also help arrange pet-sitting or walking services. meritagecollection.com/pasea-hotel
HYATT REGENCY HUNTINGTON BEACH RESORT AND SPA
From bike rentals to beach bonfires, Huntington Beach’s only hotel with direct access to the sand provides plenty of entertainment for adults and kiddos alike. Boasting refreshed rooms, the Spanish-style oasis delights with the ocean-facing Mankota's Pool—where its luxury cabanas received an upgrade in recent years—plus the Slyders Water Playground that invites the kiddos to splash around in style. Book a reservation at the award-winning Watertable restaurant to enjoy coastal fare, dine beachside at the newly opened SHOR or hang 10 at Pete’s Sunset Grille to indulge in fish tacos and poke bowls. hyatt.com/hyatt-regency
KIMPTON SHORE BREAK HUNTINGTON BEACH
This surf-inspired resort has it all—guest rooms with ocean views and sun decks; open-X`air patios with fire pits; and the award-winning Pacific Hideaway, a Latin American Asian-inspired restaurant that’s ideal for an après-surf snack or evening cocktails and cuisine. Its Surf City location means heading to the beach, which is mere steps away, and its proximity to the ever-bustling Main Street leaves you with plenty to see and do in Huntington Beach. shorebreakhotel.com
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