The Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club, in beautiful Dana Point, provides a luxurious and sophisticated coastal getaway. Housing approximately 400 rooms, the former St. Regis Resort is now umbrellaed under the Hilton Hotel luxury brands.
Guests arrive at a stunning huge lobby providing panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, pools, a golf course and a comfortable patio terrace.
Resort rooms are large at 535 square feet and feature crisp linens with monarch butterflies, a huge soaking tub with a window overlooking the guest room, dual marble vanities, and Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries. The color palette is soothing ocean tones of sea green and cream. Our room featured an added bonus – a comfy patio with a fire pit complete with a marshmallow roasting kit.
Guests can also choose to stay in larger suites complete with living rooms, dining rooms and sevearl bedrooms.
Guests can choose to dine at Michael Mina’s upscale Bourbon Steak for Wagyu cuts and seafood, or opt for Aveo Table + Bar for Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Opt for at least dinner at Aveo to enjoy the stunning views of the ocean and lawn, or head further out to the resort’s private Monarch Bay Beach Club. Open only to overnight guests of the hotel and private members, the club has unobstructed beach and ocean views making it a perfect place for a romantic dinner under the stars. A beach tram shuttles guests around the resort and to the Club making it easily accessible.
The resort offers plenty to keep busy including a family and regular pool and jacuzzi with ocean views, a beautiful garden, daily group fitness and yoga classes, e-bicycle rentals and tours, a golf course and spa and umbrellas and chairs at the Monarch Bay Beach Club.
For those who want to venture outside the resort the new La Vaquera restaurant in San Juan Capistrano is worth a visit. Housed in the new River Street Marketplace, ranchero-style dishes include tuna agua chile, grilled octopus, steak tartare, Kona kampachi crudo, a seafood tower, Wagyu steak, ribeyes, filet mignon, a double pork chop, short ribs, cornbread, crispy spiced potatoes, charoo beans, charred cabbage, broccolini and roasted mushrooms. They also offer killer cocktails, including Lady Lasso with four roses, Aperol, lime and passion fruit and an Ay Carajo with reposado, cold brew, licor 43, demerara, orgeat and orange bitters.
Whether you are looking for a quick getaway from LA or San Diego, a family outing by the beach or a romantic coastal weekend, The Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach is the perfect place to unwind and relax in a luxurious beautiful atmosphere.
Located at 1 Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, 949.234.3200, https://www. waldorfastoriamonarchbeach.com.
