What it is

A recently revamped 400-room Spanish Colonial gem on 175 acres, with a private beach club, 7 buzzing restaurants, three jaw-dropping pools, and a serene spa.

What it isn't

Boring. You’ll find a Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed golf course, more than 40 gratis classes in the athletic club, and so much more.

What we think

Set on a prime blufftop stretch set over the cerulean Pacific Ocean, this is the resort with everything—whether you want to indulge in wellness workshops (such as demystifying meditation or salsa dance) or just chillax on the powdery sand at the private Monarch Bay Beach Club, where you can rent stand-up paddleboards before sipping a local microbrew at the indoor/outdoor bar. Thanks to a recent Art Deco-inspired overhaul, the spacious guest rooms (starting at a whopping 535 square feet) are nothing less than perfection—with private terraces, marble-lined bathrooms and a SoCal color palette of sandy taupes, cloud whites and beach blues. Fireside Terrace Rooms are worth a splurge for their al fresco fire pits—ditto the Ocean View Suites, which have separate living rooms that peep out on the frothy surf.

You're here because

The South Monarch Pool offers a relaxed setting for all guests, while the spa pool provides the perfect spot for some splash-free R&R.

The Moment

Los Angeles power couples happily make the drive to the resort’s Bourbon Steak restaurant for date night, where whiskey and wagyu ribeye dinners await. But tonight, it’s Chef Michael Mina’s caramelized persimmon salad with avocado and marcona almonds that’s setting your pulse racing. Sometimes, vegetables have all the fun.

Restaurants & Bars

Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina - #1 Restaurant in Orange County by the OC Register

33º North - Handcrafted cocktails, delectable small bites, and the best view for colorful sunsets over the Pacific

AVEO TABLE + BAR - Latin-American spirit with a contemporary Southern California flavor

Monarch Bay Club - Coastal cuisine steps from the sand

Club 19 - Casual fare and refreshing sips overlooking Monarch Beach Golf Links first tee

Sombra - Poolside Mexican Cantina

Part & Parcel Market - Coffee shop with market fresh foods, grab-and-go small bites, and locally sourced gift items

Location

Nestled on its own expansive grounds in Monarch Beach in the charming beach town of Dana Point, an hour’s drive from Los Angeles International Airport.