ORANGE COUNTY HOTELS

Overview · Restaurants · Hotels

Balboa Bay Club and Resort 1221 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, CA 92663, USA	949/645-5000 or 888/445-7153 Read Review
Sharing the same frontage as the private Balboa Bay Club where Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, and the Reagans hung out, this hotel has one of the best bay views around. There's a yacht club vibe in the public spaces, especially in the nautical dining room. Rooms, which have either bay or courtyard views, have a beachy decor of rattan furniture, plantation shutters, and tropical-pattern drapes. Duke's Place, a bar named for John Wayne, a former member and club governor, has photos of the star in his mariner-theme films. www.balboabayclub.com. 150 rooms, 10 suites. In-hotel: 3 restaurants, room service, bar, gym, spa, airport shuttle (fee). AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Disney's Grand Californian 1600 S. Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, CA 92803, USA	714/956-6425 Read Review
The newest of Disney's Anaheim hotels, this Craftsman-style luxury property has guest rooms with views of the California Adventure park and Downtown Disney. They don't push the Disney brand too heavily; rooms are done in dark woods with amber-shaded lamps and just a small Bambi image on the shower curtain. Restaurants include the Napa Rose dining room, Hearthstone Lounge, and Storytellers Cafe, where Disney characters entertain children at breakfast. Of the three pools, the one shaped like Mickey Mouse is just for kids, and there's an evening child activity center. Room-and-ticket packages are available; the hotel has its own entry gate to California Adventure. The new Mandara spa has a couple's suite with Balinese-inspired art and textiles. www.disneyland.com. 701 rooms, 44 suites. In-room: safe, ethernet. In-hotel: 2 restaurants, room service, bars, pool, gym, concierge, children's programs (ages 5-12), laundry service, parking (fee), no-smoking rooms, minibar. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Hilton Anaheim 777 Convention Way, Anaheim, CA 92802, USA	714/750-4321 or 800/445-8667 Read Review
Next to the Anaheim Convention Center, this busy Hilton is the largest hotel in southern California: it even has its own post office, as well as shops, restaurants, and cocktail lounges. Rooms are pleasingly bright, and a shuttle runs to Disneyland, or you can walk the few blocks. Special summer children's programs include the "Vacation Station Lending Desk," with games, toys, and books, as well as children's menus. There's a $12 fee to use the health club. www.anaheim.hilton.com. 1,492 rooms, 95 suites. In-room: Wi-Fi. In-hotel: 4 restaurants, room service, bars, pool, gym, concierge, children's programs (ages 3-12), laundry service, parking (fee), no-smoking rooms. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort 21100 PCH, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, USA	714/845-8000 or 866/387-5760 Read Review
Rising 12 stories above the surf, this Hilton caters to many kinds of travelers: couples, families, business types. All guest rooms have private balconies, many with panoramic ocean views. The grounds are extensive, including a sand volleyball court and a free-form pool; the staff can even arrange the fixings for a cookout on the beach. www.waterfrontresort.com. 266 rooms, 24 suites. In-room: Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, bars, tennis court, pool, gym, children's programs (ages 5-12), executive floor, airport shuttle, some pets allowed (fee). AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Hotel Casa del Camino 1289 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USA	949/497-2446 or 888/367-5232 Read Review
This Spanish-style hotel was built in 1927. Its ace in the hole is its large rooftop terrace, with clear ocean views -- an ideal spot at sunset. Rooms have warm color schemes; beds have feather duvets to ward off the seaside chill. www.casacamino.com. 42 rooms, 7 suites. In-room: Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, parking (no fee), some pets allowed. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Inn at Laguna Beach 211 N. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USA	949/497-9722 or 800/544-4479 Read Review
On a bluff overlooking the ocean, the inn is on Main Beach and steps from shops and art galleries. Location and price are the key to this good hotel. www.innatlagunabeach.com. 70 rooms. In-room: refrigerator, VCR, dial-up. In-hotel: pool, minibar. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Inn on Mt. Ada 398 Wrigley Rd., Avalon, CA 90704, USA	310/510-2030 or 800/608-7669 Read Review
Staying in the mansion where William Wrigley Jr. once lived gives you all the comforts of a millionaire's home -- at a millionaire's prices, beginning at $360 a night in summer. Breakfast, lunch, beverages, snacks, and use of a golf cart are included. The guest rooms are traditional and elegant; some have fireplaces and all have water views. The hilltop view of the curve of the bay is spectacular, and service is discreet. www.catalina.com/mtada. 6 rooms. In-room: no a/c, no phone. In-hotel: restaurant, no kids under 14, no-smoking rooms. MC, V. 2 meals.
Irvine Marriott John Wayne Airport 18000 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, CA 92612, USA	949/553-0100 or 800/228-9290 Read Review
Towering over Koll Business Center, the Marriott offers a convenient location and amenities designed to appeal to business travelers. Despite its size, the hotel has an intimate feel, due in part to the convivial lobby and evening entertainment. There's a courtesy van to South Coast Plaza and the airport. www.marriott.com. 485 rooms, 10 suites. In-room: Wi-Fi. In-hotel: 3 restaurants, tennis courts, pool, gym, airport shuttle. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Montage Resort & Spa 30801 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USA	888/715-6700 Read Review
Laguna's connection to the Californian plein air artists is mined for inspiration at this head-turningly fancy hotel. The Montage uses the local Craftsman style as a touchstone. Shingled buildings ease down a bluff to the cove beaches; inside, works by contemporary and early-20th-century California artists snare your attention. Guest rooms balance ease and refinement; all have ocean views and amenities such as CD/DVD players and extra-deep tubs. Of the restaurants, Studio is the fanciest, with more sweeping Pacific views and a refined contemporary menu. At the oceanfront spa and fitness center, you can indulge in a sea-salt scrub, take a yoga class, or hit the lap pool. www.montagelagunabeach.com. 211 rooms, 51 suites. In-room: safe, dial-up. In-hotel: 3 restaurants, room service, bars, pools, gym, spa, beachfront, concierge, children's programs (ages 5-12), laundry service, parking (fee), minibar. AE, MC, V.
Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel 1 Ritz-Carlton Dr., Dana Point, CA, USA	949/240-2000 or 800/241-3333 Read Review
An unrivaled setting on the edge of the Pacific, combined with hallmark Ritz-Carlton service, has made this resort justly famous. The sleek, contemporary color scheme of cool blues, silver, and cream is punctuated with magenta accents. Rooms have 42-inch plasma TVs and DVD players, marble bathrooms, and private balconies with ocean or pool views. Restaurant 162', named for its site 162 feet above sea level, has sweeping views of the Pacific. The menu is divided into small, medium, and large plates. A small plate might be soup; a medium plate a pizza; and a large plate oven roasted cod or maple-chili-grilled rib-eye steak. The wood-panel former library was transformed into a bar and meeting place. This lobby lounge has musical performances Wednesday through Saturday evenings. www.ritzcarlton.com. 363 rooms, 30 suites. In-room: safe, dial-up, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: 3 restaurants, bar, tennis courts, pools, gym, spa, concierge, minibar. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort and Spa 1 Monarch Beach Resort, off Niguel Rd., Dana Point, CA, USA	949/234-3200 or 800/722-1543 Read Review
Exclusivity and indulgence carry the day here; you can even have someone unpack for you. The 172-acre grounds include a private beach club, an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed golf course, and tennis courts across the street. Rooms have views of either the coast or the lush landscaping; such amenities as CD and DVD players and libraries are among the pluses. The best restaurant is Stonehill Tavern, which opened in 2006 under chef Michael Mina and serves modern American fare. Can't decide between appetizers? You can order a trio, three small plates, each focused on a key ingredient like lobster or duck. Entrées might include prime short rib with braised potatoes and truffles or shellfish stew with saffron broth. www.stregismb.com. 325 rooms, 75 suites. In-room: safe, dial-up, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: 6 restaurants, bar, golf course, pools, gym, spa, beachfront, concierge, laundry facilities, laundry service, some pets allowed, minibar. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
Surf & Sand Resort 1555 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USA	949/497-4477 or 888/869-7569 Read Review
Your parents may have stayed here decades ago, but there's nothing dated about it. Guest rooms seem to hover over the beach; most have private balconies. The decor uses soft, monochromatic colors and sand-color sisal rugs. Rooms in the Towers have whirlpool tubs in the bathrooms. If you've gotten a bit too much sun, sign up for the aloe vera wrap in the spa. www.surfandsandresort.com. 155 rooms, 13 suites. In-room: ethernet. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, pool, gym, spa, beachfront, concierge, minibar. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
The Island Hotel 690 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660, USA	949/759-0808 or 800/332-3442 Read Review
A suitably stylish hotel in a very chic neighborhood (it's across the street from the Fashion Island mall), the 20-story tower caters to luxury seekers by offering weekend golf packages in conjunction with the nearby Pelican Hill golf course. Guest rooms have outstanding views, private bars, and original art. The spa does its bit for luxury with a pearl powder facial. For gustatory richness, try the Pavilion restaurant's contemporary menu, with choices such as macadamia-crusted Chilean sea bass. www.theislandhotel.com. 295 rooms, 92 suites. In-room: Wi-Fi. In-hotel: 2 restaurants, room service, bar, tennis courts, pool, gym, spa, concierge, some pets allowed (fee). AE, D, DC, MC, V.