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DANA POINT DAZZLES!

06.04.10

by Sheryll Alexander

Before now, Dana Point wasn’t exactly the best place to enjoy Orange County’s scenic coastline. But now that Laguna Cliffs Resort & Spa has completely transformed into a sophisticated seaside getaway, Dana Point is definitely a destination par excellence.

Located atop dazzling Dana Point Harbor on a grassy knoll, Laguna Cliffs Resort & Spa sits in old world splendor with its Cape Cod exterior re-imagined in red roofs, slate blue siding and bright white windows and balconies.

Before the renovation, I described this property as “where nautical went to die.” NOT anymore. After a years long remodel, the Laguna Cliffs Resort & Spa has been re-born as a highly modern and wonderfully organic oasis of today’s hip casual California beach lifestyle.

Drive up the curvy hill, past a classic Woody automobile in the breezy porte cochère and arrive in the lobby, which instantly energizes with its almost unbelievable screen water feature.

White marble gleams across the lobby as a large mosaic pattern in a dark chocolate color soothes the soul. The lobby brings nature into this small space with interesting organic items like white rocks, a metal bamboo sculpture and juxtaposed light and dark wood furniture.

From the lobby, glide right into the resort’s OverVue lounge for breakfast, lunch, tapas, strong house made cocktails and well-chosen wines on the patio or in the super cozy minimalist dining room. Although the buffet breakfast did not thrill so much, Chef Anton Cossi’s global tapas menu is exceptional. We enjoyed the spicy shrimp, flat bread pizza, delectable Buffalo-style chicken wings, refreshing ahi tuna and some excellent Mexican-inspired dishes. The resort’s fine dining VUE restaurant is located one floor below with the same super scenic view.

The renovated guest rooms at Laguna Cliffs Resort & Spa are supremely comfortable and are decorated in a pleasing yin-yang style to attract both women and men. For example, a huge flat screen TV sits atop a dark wood cabinet with linen-looking tan insets and surrounded by metal studs. A surprisingly artistic peaceful blue textured head board with metal studs stands at the ready while the bed is super fluffy with feel-good white duvets, lots of feather pillows and cozy throws.

Family travel is especially cool here because the resort’s new family pool is a real stunner. The view of the blue Pacific from the pool deck is exquisite and so are the amenities if you are a stressed-out parent. The huge central pool is surrounded by two Jacuzzis and dreamy lounge chairs, cabanas and “cocoons” with brand new and very deep cushions. An amazing made-just-for-kids water play area (complete with surfboards) is far enough away to keep from getting splashed and just close enough for them to hear you yell, “Stop running!!”

Want complete by-the-pool relaxation? Put the kids in day camp. Kahuna Laguna Kids Club is quite reasonable and can be bought in half ($45) or full-day ($70) increments (both sessions include lunch). Kids play supervised outside in the water park (not in the pool) and then come inside the resort’s cheery club house to make crafts, play games and read books.

For the ultimate relaxation, however, spend an hour (or more!) each day at The Spa at Laguna Cliffs. This is truly one of OC’s best day spas and features a large couple’s room (with fireplace and outdoor Jaccuzi!) as well as fully-featured and well-stocked men’s and women’s lounges.

We enjoyed body, mind and spirit rejuvenation from a hot-cold circuit in the utterly fantastic women’s lounge where we spent several healing hours going from whirlpool bath to steam sauna to cold 14-head shower and back to a nearby comfy lounge chair. The spa menu is particularly appetizing with such delicious-sounding dishes as a roasted vegetable and goat cheese pizza, California artisan cheese plate and a lettuce-wrapped bleu cheese burger.

And remember, Dana Point Harbor’s shops, restaurants, boat excursions and the super kid-friendly Ocean Institute are but a 5-10 minute hike down (and up!) a rather steep hill. (You can also request a free shuttle in the resort’s black Lincoln Navigator!)

When visiting Dana Point Harbor, don’t miss Sunday brunch, lunch or dinner at Harbor Grill. This family-owned restaurant has perhaps the best hand-shaken martinis in OC and specializes in super fresh seafood grilled on an open mesquite flame.

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif. Follow her! @sheryllalexande

HOORAY 4 TERRANEA!

05.30.10

by Joanne Tucker

For dazzling Pacific Ocean views, none can compare to the rugged Palos Verdes Peninsula, where the newly-opened and rather luxurious Terranea Resort & Spa sits on 102 acres of gorgeous coastal property (once home to Marineland).

Conveniently located between OC and LA’s South Bay beach cities, this elegant Mediterranean-inspired resort is surrounded by seemingly endless blue water on three sides with Catalina Island directly across the channel. At Terranea’s aquatic paradise, we spotted a whale guiding by and watched porpoises leaping out of the water from the resort’s high-walled and unbelievably scenic cliffs.

Terranea Resort & Spa offers 582 guest rooms and suites and residential-style bungalows, casitas and villas for family vacations, couples getaways and single retreats. Our guest room was bathed in mellow yellow with a view of both the ocean and the sophisticated adult lounging pool. Furnished in light and dark wood tones, the room had a warm and spacious feel, along with modern chrome accessories, plasma TV, ergonomic desk and small couch.

At mar’sel, Terranea’s fine dining restaurant, we sipped chili-pineapple margaritas while seated around an outdoor fire pit in the refreshing ocean air. Mar’sel features California-inspired Mediterranean cuisine, which is made from locally-grown organic produce and herbs picked from mar’sel’s own by-the-sea garden.

Golf at the award-winning nine-hole golf course, The Links at Terranea, swim at one of three pools, choose from eight restaurants to sup or snack or just wander around the lushly landscaped grounds with a grand ocean view at every turn.

Indulge yourself at Spa at Terranea, which includes a variety of ocean-inspired treatments. Before your spa treatment, work out in the resort’s gym or take yoga classes.

Although you’ll feel like you’re on an isolated island, nearby cities, attractions and sport venues abound including downtown Long Beach, Aquarium of the Pacific, San Pedro, Torrance, Manhattan and Redondo beaches. Even LA and OC destinations are a short car’s drive away (depending on traffic, of course). And, you can return to Terranea Resort at sunset for awesome views.

Need a family getaway? Kids can spend the day playing at the kids-only pool, complete with super fun spiral slides. There’s also a small beach cove for exploring the coastline at low tide. Terranea’s Nelson’s Restaurant is a casual restaurant to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can also order up a family dinner in your room, casita or villa and end the evening with milk, cookies and a bed time story.

Ready to experience a new spa club level while staying in a sumptuous oceanfront bungalow? Terranea Resort is taking the “club and concierge floor” concept to a whole new level, which includes oceanview bungalow accommodations, personal concierge service, complimentary all day dining at The Spa Café, complimentary use of spa pool and spa amenities, 10% savings on cabana rentals at spa pool and 10% savings on spa treatments.

Club guests stay in a spacious bungalow suite with a separate living room, kitchen, indoor and outdoor fireplaces and private balcony or patio. Bungalow suites are located close to The Spa Café, where complimentary dining options are offered throughout the day. Club guests enjoy poolside relaxation and access to The Spa’s many amenities. The Spa setting is provided for all club guests.

Joanne Tucker is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, California.

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