Montage Laguna Beach

Montage Resort & Spa is a throwback to the Laguna Beach of the turn of the twentieth century, a conscious homage to the city’s birth as an artists’ colony. This is the Laguna Beach of the early 1900s, the romantic vision of design in complement with nature. The resort itself, with its winding pathways and classic stone architecture, is surrounded by lush gardens, shaded by tall trees, and sits atop a rugged, rocky bluff, overlooking the white sand beaches below. The interiors are liberally decorated with artworks, some contemporary, some dating back to the heyday of the Arts & Crafts movement, which is Montage’s main inspiration.

The beach and ocean views are one of Montage’s main attractions, and the guest rooms all feature patios or balconies with panoramic views. The interior style is a restrained, casual elegance, classic Californian, with subdued colors and details in dark wood. Public areas have views as well, through floor-to-ceiling windows in the Loft restaurant or from the Mosaic Grille’s terrace, on the edge of the bluff fifty feet above the Pacific.

Montage’s spa overlooks the ocean as well, and offers a comprehensive list of services, from the passive (massage, hydrotherapy, facials) to the somewhat active (yoga or tai chi, with a view). The facility itself is expansive, 20,000 square feet, both indoors and out. Outdoor activities on offer include swimming in no fewer than three pools, and a variety of salt-water sports, such as kayaking, snorkeling, and even surfing. Kids can be consigned to the PaintBox, the resort’s children’s club, and the less fitness-minded adults can sit in on art classes of their own, or take a stroll through the gallery or down to the beach.

How to get there:
Montage Resort & Spa is located on 30 acres of land in the heart of Laguna Beach. The hotel is approximately a one-hour drive from both Los Angeles and San Diego, and 30 minutes from Orange County’s John Wayne International Airport.