Need More of a Reason to Stay?

Imagine watching the sunset while standing on a quiet stretch of soft white sand as blue-green waves lap at your toes. Now imagine watching it dip below the horizon as you sit cuddled next to someone special with a glass of wine and the warming glow of a firepit keeping you both company. Finally, envision yourself taking an indulgent bite of Hudson Valley foie gras prepared by a five star chef while enjoying one last moment with your favorite star before it heads on to warm another of the Earth’s hemispheres. If any of these moments sound like your idea of vacation bliss, then you should consider booking a stay at the Montage Laguna Beach, a resort that seamlessly combines refined luxury and natural beauty.

Guests staying at the Montage know they are in for a first class experience from the moment they check in. Every guest is given a brief overview of the property from the lobby’s fifth floor balcony, which overlooks the infinity edged mosaic pool and the stunning blue Pacific, before being escorted to their room to complete the check-in process. The resort’s Laguna cliffside location allows for each spacious guestroom to feature an ocean view. Room amenities are top notch and include feather-top beds with 400-thread-count sheets, marble bathrooms featuring products by Agraria, and luxuriously soft Chadsworth & Haig bathrobes.

The same attention to detail is found all through the resort. Since Laguna Beach was originally founded as an art colony in the early 1900’s, the resort was built to reflect that era’s architecture with Craftsman-style design featuring rich dark wood, copper gutters and a shingle-style roof.  The property’s infinity-edged Mosaic Pool sits center stage with its heated waters floating parallel with the surrounding sidewalk as it reflects the sunshine. Cabanas feature the typical amenities such as beverages, fruit, and dedicated servers but are also furnished with Dyson fans and iPad 2s loaded with games and access to online movies.

As perfectly luxurious as the pool is, it still can’t compete with Treasure Island, the beach that lies just below the Montage grounds. One of Laguna Beach’s finest stretches of sand, Treasure Island has turquoise waters, white sand, and a dramatic natural sandstone arch, perfect for framing sunset shots. The Montage Resort offers beach service, complete with comfortable chairs perfect for lounging on while soaking up the sun’s rays. If you prefer to enjoy the beach without stepping foot on the sand, there is a sidewalk which hugs the clifftop and has several benches dotting the route, as well as a few furry beach bunnies enjoying the good life as they chomp away on the resort’s manicured lawns.

Dining at the Montage’s Studio Restaurant is a true five star experience. The restaurant’s prime oceanfront location sets the tone for a meal to remember as chef Craig Strong serves up dishes with a France meets California flavor. The Loft, the resort’s all-day dining establishment, features a cheese gallery with over 150 different cheese selections as well as an impressive honey collection from around the globe. The restaurant’s fromagier is happy to recommend a customized cheese plate, complete with handpicked accompaniments, based on your preferences.

The perfect complement to a stay at the Montage is a few hours of pampering at the Spa Montage. Wraps and scrubs incorporate local elements such as seaweed and citrus and customized facials focus on each individual’s needs based on an expert esthetician’s knowledge and diagnosis of your skin.  For the ultimate in touch relaxation, a “symphony in massage” features two masseuses working in tandem to provide a soothing and restoring experience.  After your treatment, be sure spend some time in the sauna, whirlpool, cold plunge, or just lounging by the spa pool while sipping on a pear, avocado, and mint Ecto Smoothie and taking in the incredible ocean views.

Disclosure: The author received a complimentary stay at the Montage. All opinions are her own.

Photo: Sharlene Earnshaw